Shalva Papuashvili to Georgian diplomats: "You are often the primary voice of Georgia abroad, and the primary voice of the outside world within our country. Build bridges, but never lose sight of the shore from which these bridges begin—that shore is Georgia!"

"Dear diplomats, you are often the primary voice of Georgia abroad, and the primary voice of the outside world in Georgia. Therefore, you bear a special responsibility to build bridges, yet you must never lose sight of the shore from which these bridges begin. That shore is Georgia," Shalva Papuashvili, Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, stated while addressing an event dedicated to Diplomat's Day.

According to him, diplomacy holds true value only when it yields tangible results for the country—including the cultivation of friends and partners who respect Georgia. This respect does not stem from Georgia agreeing to everything; rather, it arises from the recognition that Georgia is a sovereign state with its own interests—interests it is fully capable of defending.

"Georgia’s primary state objectives remain unchanged: the peaceful reunification of the country, the strengthening of our independence and sovereignty, and the well-being of the Georgian people. Ultimately, every foreign policy decision must serve these goals. Diplomacy is meaningful precisely when it yields tangible results for the country—peace, security, economic opportunities, and friends and partners who respect Georgia. They respect us not because Georgia agrees to everything, but because they recognize a state that possesses its own interests and is capable of defending them. Dear diplomats, you often serve as Georgia’s primary voice abroad, and the primary voice of the outside world within Georgia. You therefore bear a special responsibility: to build bridges, while never losing sight of the shore from which those bridges originate. That shore is Georgia. Its sovereignty, national interests, peace, and prosperity must remain the ultimate benchmarks for your work. On behalf of the Parliament of Georgia, I congratulate you on your professional day and thank you for your loyal service to the Georgian state. I wish you steadfastness, wisdom and success in the service of Georgia,” stated Shalva Papuashvili.