EU Ambassador Addresses Europe Day Attendees in Telavi in Georgian

EU Ambassador to Georgia Pavel Herczynski addressed attendees of the "Europe Day 2026" event organized by the EU Delegation in Telavi in Georgian. He said that the European Union is like Georgian polyphony.

According to the ambassador, 27 independent states form a strong union, just as each voice creates a single melody. In his words, the EU wants the Georgian voice to be clearly heard in Europe's polyphony.

Herczynski noted that the friendship between the EU and Georgia dates back to Georgia's independence. According to him, the recent anti-European rhetoric is greatly damaging this close relationship, but cannot change it.

"I apologize greatly for my broken Georgian, but I still want to address you in your beautiful language as a sign of respect. I am glad that this year we are celebrating Europe Day in Kakheti for the first time. Here, free Georgian spirit, culture and traditions are especially felt, the richness that Georgia gives to Europe," the ambassador said.

According to him, the EU is neither new nor foreign. Herczynski said that in a world full of challenges, for almost 80 years the EU has remained an island of peace, democratic development and economic prosperity. This was built with great effort, diligence and loyalty to common principles, which is why they want to share this good with those who respect common rules.

"It is unthinkable to rewrite a многолетний history, let alone forget it in a few years. We will continue to support Georgia's democratic and European future. You do not need to choose between being Georgian and being European, you can be both, you are both," the ambassador said.

Herczynski concluded his speech with a toast: "Such is the world, today's night has dawned, what hostility has destroyed, love has built." He added: "Long live Georgia, long live Europe, forward, Georgia, forward!"