"Today, Georgia marks the birthday of Zhiuli Shartava, a national hero and a most prominent political figure and statesman of our time.

The finest representative of his generation and a true son of his homeland, Shartava, with his exceptional honor, patriotism, and education, fought to the last to ensure unity between Georgians and Abkhazians.

With even one person like him, Georgia is destined to survive," these words from a letter to His Holiness Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II belong to an unspecified Abkhazian, who witnessed Zhiuli Shartava's heroic feats.

Zhiuli Shartava's steadfastness and self-sacrifice for his homeland are an example to be followed by all of us and our future generations. Glory to our heroes!" - the PM's statement reads.