The President of Georgia attended a requiem of the persons deceased as a result of the bombing of the Poti seaport in August 2008, with their family members. The President of Georgia symbolically put flowers into the sea from the dock where bombs were falling 4 years ago. The Head of State also addressed the population gathered at the port, and once again recalled the heroes fallen during the Russian aggression.

“The employees of the Poti seaport were heroes because they came out during the night shift and made sure that the State kept functioning at a time when roads were cut, airspace closed, and we were in danger of the vital functions of the country stopping.  The employees of the seaport of this truly special city risked their lives. These people were true heroes, because heroism is nothing else but doing such actions. Each one of them stood by their homeland during the most decisive moment, and the enemy was unable to reach its goals” – stated the President of Georgia.

Mikheil Saakashvili spoke about the Russian scenario, and noted that who was the initiator of the war was once again proven today. According to him, the leader of Russia personally admitted today that the Russian-Georgian war in 2008 was preplanned a long time ago and it was a deliberate operation against Georgian statehood, sovereignty, and independence. According to the President of Georgia, despite the Russian attempt to weaken Georgia, delay its Euro-Atlantic aspirations, and democratic advancement, the country has overcome the obstacle and it keeps developing.

“The enemy’s goal was very specific – to weaken Georgia’s political meaning, close transit and transport roads, including the artery – Poti, overthrow the government and physically destroy its leaders, change Georgia’s democratic system, as well as its course towards European institutions and NATO. The conqueror did not achieve any of its goals, and it knows that it will not be able to keep an inch of Georgian soil. It knows better than us that if Georgia stands up completely and develops as we plan it, becomes a member of all leading international institutions and organizations, it will have to de-occupy our territories and withdraw its armed forces. This is the importance of today’s situation.” – noted Mikheil Saakashvili.

The Head of State also focused attention on the support of the international community. According to the President, their support was important as much during the war as after it. As Mikheil Saakashvili noted, it is their merit that Russia was unable to legalize its actions, and added that Georgia only has international community’s support today because it did not get used to the existing situation and continued fighting for democratic development of the country.

The President also noted that the war in August 2008 was a result of developing the Georgian State and successfully administering democratic reforms. According to him, the ongoing reforms in Georgia will definitely continue, and our country will keep advancing through the chosen course.

The President also touched on the information published by media agencies today, and called on them to have solidarity and cover events objectively.

“This morning, a television channel of one of the political parties declared that the Russian force, which bombed our territory, invaded us and destroyed our villages and cities, sacrificed lives of our citizens, apparently entered legally. The Russian army was apparently acting completely lawfully! Shouldn’t people, who are saying this, have an elementary belief in God, and an inch of honesty?! We have a democratic country and they can think anything; they can say whatever they want no matter how terrible their opinion is, but couldn’t they have a little feeling of solidarity and an ability to share the common pain and not talk about it at least today?! At a time when we should all stop and honor our fallen citizens, our warriors and civilians. It’s one thing is to hate the government, but justifying the aggression against your country, and attempts of conquering and destroying it is a completely different thing” – stated the President of Georgia.

 The Bishop Grigol of Poti and Khobi held a requiem to honor the memory of the deceased during the bombing of the Poti seaport in August 2008. While preaching, Bishop Grigol noted that nobody should spare life for prosperity of the country.