“Countries larger than us have left embassies in Ukraine, relocated diplomats to Lviv, or abroad. Our embassy in Kyiv, our consulate in Odessa continued to work. I think this is a fact that is not emphasized enough," the President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, said at the ceremony where the staff of the Georgian diplomatic missions in Ukraine were awarded Medals of Honor.

According to the President, the Georgian diplomatic corps will return to Ukraine tomorrow.

"It is very correct that an award ceremony is being held today, on Diaspora Day. You represent our country in Ukraine. During a very difficult time, during the Russian aggression in Ukraine, you kept not only the representation, but also the image of Georgia. Countries larger than us have left embassies in Ukraine, relocated diplomats to Lviv, or abroad. Our embassy in Kyiv, our consulate in Odessa continued to work. I think this is a fact that is not emphasized enough when we talk about solidarity and long-standing friendship between us and Ukraine”, said Zurabishvili.

The President of Georgia awarded representatives of the Georgian diplomatic missions in Ukraine for high professionalism, work and loyal service to the country. In particular, the following persons were awarded:

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to Ukraine and Permanent Representative of Georgia to GUAM, Giorgi Zakarashvili;

Consul General of Georgia in Odessa, Tornike Berekashvili;

Kukuri Topuria, Adviser to the head of the Embassy of Georgia in Ukraine and Head of the Permanent Representation of Georgia to GUAM;

Nana Chabrava, Consul of the Embassy of Georgia in Ukraine and Permanent Representation of Georgia to GUAM;

Yaroslav Muzychiko, Honorary Consul of Georgia in Lviv.