Chair of Gov’t of Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia urges displaced youth to shape Georgia’s future as national exams begin

Giorgi Jincharadze, Chairman of the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, has called on displaced youth to play a key role in Georgia’s future, as the country’s Unified National Exams officially got underway.

Speaking at an exam centre in Zugdidi Public School No. 4 in western Georgia, Jincharadze addressed students from the currently Russian-controlled Abkhazia region who have been displaced by conflict, encouraging them to succeed not only for themselves but for the unity of the nation.

“Today is a very important day for our entrants, including our young people temporarily displaced from Abkhazia, who must play their role in the unification and success of Georgia,” Jincharadze said. “The future of the country, unity and restoration of trust depend on their success.”

He was joined at the centre by Davit Verava, State Representative of the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Region, and Zugdidi Mayor Mamuka Tsotseria.

Jincharadze also drew attention to the plight of students in the Russian-occupied territory of Abkhazia, just kilometres from Zugdidi, who remain deprived of Georgian-language education.

“Although they are restricted today, I am confident that it is precisely through the involvement of these young people and the strength of public diplomacy that these problems will be resolved and Georgia’s territorial integrity will be restored,” he added.

The national exams began with a Georgian Language and Literature test and will run through 22 July.