After the swearing in ceremony, President Giorgi Margvelashvili addressed guests in the yard of the old parliament building in Tbilisi. (Interpressnews.)
TBILISI, DFWatch–Giorgi Margvelashvili was Sunday sworn in as the fourth president of Georgia at a ceremony held in the yard of the old parliament building in Tbilisi.
The text of the oath says he swears to protect Georgia’s Constitution, independence of the state, unity and integrity; to take care of the security and welfare of citizens; for the revival and strength of the state.
After the national anthem, the new president addressed the audience. He said he will serve as the president of every citizen and will ‘equally be a guarantee to protect their rights.’
Margvelashvili said that strengthening ties to Europe and deepening bilateral relations with European countries has a special place in Georgia’s foreign policy. He said that Georgia is not alone on the road of strengthening sovereignty and building the state.
He reminded about the upcoming Vilnius Summit of Eastern Partnership where Georgia and EU will initialize the Association Agreement, including Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement.
“Long term guarantee of Georgia’s national security and stable development is proper membership of the free world,” he said, “this is achieved by EU and NATO integration.”
He also said that Georgia is ready to deepen its dialogue with Russia.
“Despite today’s difficult situation, we still declare that we are ready to deepen the dialogue with Russia, in parallel with the European and Euro-Atlantic integration, and foreseeing Georgia’s national interests within internationally recognized borders, territorial integrity and sovereignty – solve current problems based on mutual trust.”
The president also outlined that deepening relations with the US is one of Georgia’s main priorities.
“We take much efforts in order to initiate negotiations with the US about free trade which will further contribute to strengthen our strategic ties,” he added.
He said that one of the major priorities is to return refugees to their homes.
“I as president of the country together with government take the responsibility to implement this policy,” he said.
He also said that Georgia offers people living in Abkhazia and South Ossetia to build a democratic and successful country together.
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