'Gruzia' may not be a common word for many English or Georgian speakers, however, Lithuanians know exactly what it means: 'Georgia'. People speaking Russian may understand where it comes from, as in Russian Georgia is called 'Gruzia', unmistakably sounding almost the same, Georgia Today reports.
The statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania has a strong symbolic meaning, as it announced the official change of 'Gruzia' to 'Sakartvelo'. Tweeting online, the ministry justified their decision, while pointing to the great friendship between the two countries.
“An official decision was made at the event dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the declaration of Georgia as an independent republic - from now on your country will be called 'Sakartvelo'! Congratulations on this historic decision! Long live the Lithuania-Georgia friendship," enthusiastically stated the ministry.
