Reception on the occasion of the Restoration of Independence of Georgia
On May 28, 2024, at Pretoria Country Club, the Embassy of Georgia to the Republic of South Africa hosted a reception on the occasion of the Restoration of Independence of Georgia
Among the guests of the reception were the representatives of the Government of the Republic of South Africa, scientific and business circles, the ruling party, members of the diplomatic corps accredited in the Republic of South Africa, and Honorary consuls of Georgia. Georgian citizens living in various provinces and cities of South Africa attended the reception as well.
Ambassador of Georgia Roland Beridze addressed the guests with a welcome speech. He drew attention to the importance of the reforms carried out by the Georgian government and the successes achieved on the path towards European and Euro-Atlantic integration of our country. The Ambassador underlined the challenges caused by the occupation of the regions of Georgia and thanked the Republic of South Africa and other countries of the African continent for their unwavering support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia.
The Ambassador commented on the leading role and importance of Georgia in the implementation of regional and global infrastructure projects. In addition, H.E. Roland Beridze remarked about the turbulent developments in the Black Sea region and noted that the Georgian authorities managed to ensure peace and economic development, despite the existing challenges.
Ambassador Roland Beridze broadly reviewed Georgia-South African relations and noted that it is necessary to add a new dynamic for these relations.
On behalf of the Republic of South Africa, Ambassador Maud Dlomo, Deputy Director General for European and American Affairs of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa addressed the audience. In her speech, Ambassador Dlomo emphasized the friendly relations established between the two countries over the years and focused on the importance of fully exploiting the potential of trade, economic and investment relations between Georgia and the Republic of South Africa. She stressed that relations between the two countries are based on mutual respect for such fundamental principles of the United Nations as sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of borders. In the same context, Ambassador Dlomo reiterated that South Africa does not recognize the so-called "independence" of the occupied regions of Georgia and firmly supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia.
During the reception, promotional videos of tourist and historical sights of Georgia were presented, and the musical accompaniment was furnished by the local trio "Con Grazia", who performed live musical compositions by Revaz Lagidze, soundtracks from renowned Georgian films and folk dances. The invited guests also had the opportunity to taste variety of Georgian wines.
