Pope Francis, who started a two-day visit to Georgia on Friday, said after meeting President Giorgi Margvelashvili that “the peaceful coexistence among all peoples and states in the region is the indispensable and prior condition” for enduring progress.
Speaking before officials and diplomatic corps, gathered in a courtyard of the presidential palace, the Pope thanked the President for “good relations, which Georgia has always maintained with the Holy See.”
He said that values expressed in Georgian culture, language and traditions, places the country “fully and in a particular way within the bedrock of European civilization.”
“At the same time, as is evident from your geographical location, Georgia is to a great extent a natural bridge between Europe and Asia, a link that facilitates communication and relations between peoples,” Pope Francis said.
Since regaining independence 25 years ago, the Pope said, Georgia has “built and strengthened its democratic institutions and sought ways to guarantee the most inclusive and authentic development possible.”
“All of this was not without great sacrifice, which the people faced courageously in order to ensure their longed-for freedom. I hope that the path of peace and development will advance with the consolidated commitment of all sectors of society, so as to create conditions for stability, justice and respect for the rule of law,” he said.
“The peaceful coexistence among all peoples and states in the region is the indispensable and prior condition for such authentic and enduring progress,” he continued. “This requires increasing mutual esteem and consideration, which can never lay aside respect for the sovereign rights of every country within the framework of international law.”
He said without mentioning either Abkhazia or South Ossetia that everyone should have “the possibility, above all else, to coexist peacefully in their homeland, or freely to return to that land, if for some reason they have been forced to leave it.”
“I hope that civil authorities will continue to show concern for the situation of these persons, and that they will fully commit themselves to seeking tangible solutions, in spite of any unresolved political questions,” the Pope said.
President Margvelashvili, who spoke before the Pope, said that Georgia has always “felt strong support of the Vatican.”
“We remember this support in times of peace, as well as in danger, including during Russia’s military aggression against [Georgia] in 2008,” President Margvelashvili said.
“Holy Father, you are now in the country, which was entrusted to the Mother of God, and which is now the victim of aggression from foreign country. 20 percent of our territories are occupied and almost 15 percent of the population has been displaced – these people have been deprived of their homes only because they are ethnic Georgians,” the President said.
“In just 40 kilometers from here barbed wires are erected, which prevent civilians, relatives, neighbors from having relations with each other. In just 40 kilometers from here people witness violence, kidnapping, murders and insults on a daily basis,” he said.
“Despite of this fact, we are not looking for a confrontational path; we are looking for path towards de-occupation and peace in our country. Return of internally displaced people is our key task. People should not suffer because of political reasons and they should be able to return to the place of their residence,” the Georgian President said.
“I want to thank you for the firm support of Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty,” the President told the Pope.
“I believe that engagement of the international [community], strong non-recognition policy [of Abkhazia and South Ossetia] and rejection of aggression will ensure de-occupation of our country and peace in our region,” Margvelashvili said.
“The road of peace, cooperation and strategic patience, chosen by our country, will definitely lead us to the country’s unification.”
“Your visit to Georgia is yet another call for peace. I hope that this visit will not only strengthen the cooperation between the Vatican and Georgia but will also be a powerful message to ensure security and welfare of our region,” he added.
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