The European Union Ambassador to Georgia, Pawel Herczynski, addressed the audience in Georgian during his speech in Telavi at Europe Day 2026. The diplomat stated that he was pleased the event was being hosted in Kakheti for the first time this year, “because it is precisely here that the freedom-loving Georgian spirit, culture, and traditions are felt with particular strength—the very wealth that Georgia bestows upon Europe.”
“I apologize for my imperfect Georgian, but as a sign of respect, I still want to address you in your beautiful language: the European Union is like Georgian polyphony. Twenty-seven independent states form a strong unity just as each individual voice creates a shared melody. We want Georgia’s voice to ring out clearly within this European polyphony,” the diplomat said.
According to Herczynski, the friendship between the European Union and Georgia dates back to the restoration of the country’s independence, and “although recent anti-European rhetoric is causing serious damage to these close ties, it will not be able to alter them.”
“It is impossible to rewrite decades of history, and even less so to erase it in a few years. We will continue to support Georgia’s democratic and European future.
There is no need for you to choose between being Georgians or Europeans: you can be both, and you are both. And since we are in Kakheti today, allow me to conclude my speech with a toast:
‘Such is our mortal world: after a dark night comes the day; what strife has destroyed, love builds anew.’
Long live Georgia, long live Europe! Forward, Georgia, forward!” the EU Ambassador concluded.
