Duda at Georgia parade, warns NATO over Russia

Polish President Andrzej Duda on Wednesday used his speech at Georgia's Independence Day ceremony to warn fellow NATO members over Russia's "disregard of international law."

Duda also welcomed Georgia's aspirations to join the EU and NATO.

He said Georgia has freedom of choice despite aggression from its northern neighbour Russia.

The main event, an oath-taking ceremony, took place at Tbilisi's Independence Square.

Altogether 247 recruits took oath in Tbilisi and in Georgia's regions.

"We cannot allow any state in the twenty-first century to pursue an imperialist and aggressive policy in disregard of international law. To prevent this, we need to take care of strengthening international institutions and demand interstate solidarity," said Duda in his address.

On 26 May 1918, Georgia adopted the Act of Independence that established the First Democratic Republic of Georgia.

The independence lasted only three years until in 1921 the Russian Red Army occupied Georgia. Georgia regained independence only in 1991 after the demise of the Soviet Union.