Mikheil Saakashvili (born 21 December 1967) is a former Georgian politician. He was the third President of Georgia for two consecutive terms from 25 January 2004 to 17 November 2013.
Quotes
- Georgia does not need Russia as an enemy.
- As quoted in "EU integration a key aim of Saakashvili" (26 January 2004), Irish Times
- For the first time in 15 years, Georgia this winter has its electric power guaranteed without deficit. This is a historic achievement.
- As quoted in "Ebullience in Georgia replaced by energy crisis" (29 January 2006), by Mike Eckel, Deseret News
- A united Georgia needs our unity now, to work together towards our many common goals.
- Inaugural address (21 January 2008)
- We must create the Georgia that our ancestors dreamed of, the Georgia that we dream of.
- As quoted in "Selling the Georgian Dream" (23 November 2012), by Luka Oreskovic, The Moscow Times
Inaugural address (2004)
- Georgia is the country of unique culture. We are not only old Europeans, we are the very first Europeans, and therefore Georgia holds special place in European civilization. Georgia should serve as a paragon for democracy where all citizens are equal before the law, where every citizen will have an equal opportunity for the pursuit of success and realization of his or her possibilities. Georgia should become and will become a homeland for independent, educated and proud people.
- Inaugural address (25 January 2004)
- Also quoted as: "Georgia is not just a European country, but one of the most ancient European countries." in A World of Curiosities: Surprising, Interesting, and Downright Unbelievable (2012), by John Oldale, p. 274
- It is time we Georgians did not depend only on others, it is time we asked what Georgia will do for the world.
- As quoted in "Georgia swears in new president" (25 January 2004), BBC News
- Our steady course is towards European integration. It is time Europe finally saw and valued Georgia and took steps towards us.
- As quoted in "Georgia swears in new president" (25 January 2004), BBC News
- Standing at David's tomb, we must say Georgia will unite, Georgia will become strong and will restore its integrity... I want all of us to do it together and I promise not to become a source of shame for you.
- As quoted in "Georgia swears in new president" (25 January 2004), BBC News
Remarks to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (2005)
- [W]hen the people of Georgia rose up to defend their freedom - they also rose up to reclaim their future. A future that would no longer be defined by the false promises, wholesale decay, and state disintegration of the recent past. A future no longer dominated by the politics of division, state-sanctioned theft and disregard for the poorest parts of society.
- As quoted in "Remarks of the President of Georgia H.E. Mikheil Saakashvili to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe" (26 January 2005), ReliefWeb
- Georgia's character - now and forever - celebrates tolerance, embraces diversity, relishes lively and open debate, and above all, respects liberty and human dignity. Georgia is a democracy, because above all - its national identity is rooted in the traditions of democracy.
- As quoted in "Remarks of the President of Georgia H.E. Mikheil Saakashvili to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe" (26 January 2005), ReliefWeb
- First and foremost - our vision for a united and peaceful Georgia is based on respect for the desire - and respect for the right - to South Ossetian autonomy.
- As quoted in "Remarks of the President of Georgia H.E. Mikheil Saakashvili to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe" (26 January 2005), ReliefWeb
Interview with the New York Times (2008)
- Look, the rift with Russia is not connected to Georgia. It is connected to values. Russia has become very authoritarian. It doesn’t accept free speech or real elections anymore.
- As quoted in "An American Friend" (19 October 2008), The New York Times
- Well, killing me makes no sense because Georgia already has a Western-educated political class.
- As quoted in "An American Friend" (19 October 2008), The New York Times
- Putin told several Western leaders, “I want Saakashvili’s head.” If they want my head, for me it’s more funny than troubling.
- As quoted in "An American Friend" (19 October 2008), The New York Times
External links
Encyclopedic article on Mikheil Saakashvili at Wikipedia
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