TBILISI, Georgia

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Sunday called for unity in his country together with the people of the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

"For us, our 'promised land', our dream, is to live in a united and strong Georgia together with our Abkhazian and (South) Ossetian brothers in 2030, which is the 40th anniversary of the regaining of Georgia's independence," Kobakhidze said while addressing an event on the occasion of Independence Day.

Kobakhidze said a "united and strong" Georgia should become a full-fledged member of the EU by 2030, expressing that his government will continue to protect the country's sovereignty.

President Salome Zourabichvili also spoke at the event held in the capital Tbilisi, saying they should continue to make efforts to strengthen Georgia's independence.

She said cooperation with the US and European countries should be strengthened in order to destroy the perception that Georgia lives under the influence of Russia. "First of all, saving our European path is the cornerstone of this solution," she added.

The EU granted Georgia candidate status in December last year.

In 2008, a five-day conflict broke out between Georgia and Russia over the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

Georgia ultimately lost control of both areas, and Russia later recognized them as independent states, leading to Tbilisi cutting off diplomatic relations with Moscow. Both regions remain internationally recognized Georgian territories.

A “foreign agents” bill recently passed by parliament, then vetoed by the president, had sparked protests in the country and warnings from Brussels that the measure could undermine Tbilisi’s EU aspirations.

* Writing by Burc Eruygur in Istanbul