Ten years have passed since the terrorist attack on American cities which claimed the lives of almost 3,000 innocent people. The attack of 11 September 2011 was perpetrated not only against the United States and its peaceful citizens, but also against all those nations and human beings who cherish life, liberty, human rights and democracy.
By targeting the United States, Al-Qaeda's terrorist network orchestrated an assault on freedom, democracy and human values in order to sow the seeds of fear, hatred and hopelessness around the globe and to stall mankind's drive towards a better future.
From the very first minutes of the tragedy of September 11, Georgia and the Georgian people have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the United States and the American people. Georgian soldiers have been fighting by the side of American forces and their allies in Afghanistan against Al-Qaeda and its associates, and Georgia is proud to have contributed to the victories which have been achieved in this vigorous struggle over the past ten years - a struggle whose cause is liberty and human dignity.
Today, Georgia wishes to honor the memory of the victims of September 11, and extends its condolences to their families and to the entire American people.
The Georgian government and its people will continue to stand by America's side.
