The two day international conference by The McCain Institute at Arizona State University (ASU), the George W. Bush Institute and the Economic Policy Research Center (EPRC) took off today in Tbilisi, Georgia.
David Kramer, the Managing Director of the Global Policy at the George W. Bush Institute delivered a message from President Bush, the 43rd President of the USA. BM.GE gives you the full address.
“Laura and I send greetings to the people of Georgia and to the participants and the attendees of the Tbilisi International Conference. I’m proud that the George W. Bush Institute is one of the partner organizations this year.
Georgia has a special place in my memory. During our visit in 2005, Laura and I came to know your beautiful scenery and landscapes, your culture, and people, and Freedom Square.
I praise Georgians who gathered there in 2003, armed with nothing but roses, and the power of convictions, to claim their liberty, making Georgia a beacon of liberty for this region in the world.
Much has happened since the Rose Revolution and the Georgian people know all too well the dangers posed by the regime in Moscow. But one thing has remained true during all these years: the desire and the commitment of the Georgian people to live in freedom and to anchor their country in institutions like NATO and the EU.
We will never relent in our call for Russia to end its occupation of 20% of your nation’s territory, and for Moscow to respect your country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Even when we voice concerns about developments in your country, we do so as friends and allies of Georgia. We want to see Georgia succeed and take its rightful place as a full-fledged member of the democratic community of nations. This is especially true in light of Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine, something sadly to which Georgians can relate.
Georgians can also relate to Ukrainians desire to live in freedom and enjoy the fruits of liberty.
The theme of this year’s conference – Slava Ukraini – is a reminder of our support to Ukraine as they defeat and drive out the occupying Russian forces.
These are the challenging times in many parts of the world but sacrifice, hard work, and a commitment to democratic values, freedom can and will prevail. That’s why this conference is so important and it’s why I’m so pleased that we at the Bush Institute are part of it.
May God bless America. May God bless the people of Georgia and brave freedom fighters around the world” – 43rd President of the USA George W. Bush concluded his special message.
