2021-04-30
Madam President, Mister Chairman of Parliament, Mister Defense Minister, Chief of the Georgian Defense Forces, esteemed generals, officers, sergeants, corporals, and privates, Mister Chairman of the Military Committee, Dear Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, I wish you a happy 30th anniversary of the Defense Forces! Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili stated in his speech at today's event celebrating the 30th anniversary of Georgia's Defense Forces.
The Head of Government extended his anniversary wishes to all service members, veterans, and citizens, and paid homage to heroes fallen for the country's sovereignty, freedom, and worldpeace.
"I would like to extend my best anniversary wishes to you service members honorably serving our homeland and exhibiting high professionalism and selflessness, committed to protect our country's freedom. I wish a happy anniversary to our cherished veterans, you who have protected our country's integrity and sovereignty with dignity and courage. I wish a happy anniversary to our citizens because The Georgian army is a key guarantor of our country's sovereignty and freedom and a major symbol of our statehood. I would like to pay homage to our heroes fallen for our country's sovereignty, freedom, and world peace, to our prized fighters who have sacrificed their lives for Georgia. They have exhibited the Georgian fighting spirit and self-sacrifice for one's homeland for all to see. I bow down before their heroism. I extend my best wishes and express my gratitude to our wounded and injured soldiers whose steadfast and unbroken spirit makes us proud. This day symbolizes the Georgian people's patriotism and continuous dedication to defending our country's independence, our people's freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and to making an honorable contribution to cementing global security," the Prime Minister said.
According to the Head of Government, efforts will double to strengthen the Defense Forces, to introduce modern standards adopted by the NATO member states, to modernize armament, and secure decent social conditions for service members and their families.
"For 30 years, our troops, through their deeds and personal examples of selflessness, have proved that protecting their homeland runs in their blood. In the past 30 years, despite occupation and challenges, the Defense Forces-thanks to accumulated experience, hard work and selflessness, training and close international cooperation-have developed into a modern, motivated, combat-ready force interoperable with NATO. Today, it is a state institution enjoying enormous public trust. I am honor and proud of having taken part as Defense Minister in effective steps toward the building and development of the Defense Forces. And as Prime Minister, I pledge that efforts will double to strengthen the Defense Forces, to introduce modern standards adopted by the NATO member states, to modernize armament, and secure decent social conditions for service members and their families," Irakli Garibashvili stated.
The development of the Defense Forces is impossible without close international cooperation, one of the pillars of the country's defense capability, the Prime Minister pointed out.
"Relations between Georgia and NATO, as well as cooperation with the USA being our main strategic partner are at an all-time high today and have never been so strong! This partnership is based on common democratic values and is an essential precondition for the democratic development of our country, the institutional reconstruction of our defense forces and Euro-Atlantic integration. I would like to welcome Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, who is attending the 30th Anniversary of the Defense Forces with us and thank him for his support and close cooperation" stated the Prime Minister of Georgia.
The Prime Minister, in discussing the participation of Georgian troops in the Afghanistan mission, emphasized that they have exhibited the Georgian fighting spirit and cemented Georgia's international reputation as a reliable, trustworthy partner.
"I would like to single out the role of our troops in the country's path toward European integration, along with your commendable engagement in NATO's mission in Afghanistan which ends this coming September. Throughout this mission, our Georgian troops have exhibited the Georgian fighting spirit and cemented Georgia's international reputation as a reliable, trustworthy partner. We will withdraw from the Afghanistan mission proudly, with heads held high, and we will continue ensuring international peace in existing formats. Once again, I congratulate you and thank you for serving our homeland. May God protect you!" Irakli Garibashvili stated.
The event celebrating the 30th anniversary of Georgia's Defense Forces was held in the territory of the 4th Mechanized Brigade, in Vaziani. The President of Georgia, Parliament Speaker, Defense Minister, Chief of the Defense Forces, and Chairman of the NATO Military Committee also delivered speeches.
Before the ceremony, the Prime Minister, President, Parliament Speaker, and Defense Minister laid a wreath at the memorial of soldiers killed in action and paid homage to their memory.
Press Service of the Government Administration