Mikheil Saakashvili attended a gala concert dedicated to the opening of the Rabat Castle with the First Lady Sandra Elizabeth Roelofs, and their younger son Nikoloz. The famous singer Charles Aznavour, also visited Akhaltsikhe for this occasion, for whom the President opened a special star in the Rabat District.

Mikheil Saakashvili thanked all of the persons who have participated in the rehabilitation of this magnificent complex and noted that a golden age is beginning in Georgia.

“Notwithstanding existing poverty and problems, and the fact that our territories are occupied, we should understand that a golden age is beginning in Georgia. Bishop Nikoloz and I were talking about this earlier. This age began from Signagi; Batumi was next. Telavi, Mestia and the entire Svaneti Region are being rehabilitated now, as well as Akhaltsikhe. This is an incredible, world class achievement. Lazika will soon be built, Kutaisi, and the center of Tbilisi will be rehabilitated like never before. This is a golden age for Georgia, and Sokhumi will also be added to the list. We celebrated Didgoroba a while ago. It took David the Builder 10 years to regain Tbilisi. We should use the time we have, build everything, implement reforms and not draw back, not end up hanging on the enemy’s fishing rod; we should keep advancing and we will regain everything. It is impossible for a country, which is building such things, not to unify. This was built not by a President or a Prime Minister but by the people. They didn’t stop working day and night even in the most severe weather conditions in winter. I couldn’t believe my eyes. The construction did not stop during the -30 C temperatures. This is what Georgians can do! It is absolutely impossible to build something like this in 9 months. I want all of you to understand that there is still a brigade of destroyers in Georgia, but we have first class construction and rehabilitation; the people who are creating this golden age with their hands. I would like to greatly thank these people” – stated the President of Georgia.

Opening ceremony of the Rabat Castle ended with a spectacular fireworks display.