“Today, it is you who are the force ready at every moment to defend the security of the state and its citizens. Your loyalty and steadfastness deserve the special love of the Georgian people,” declared President of Georgia Mikheil Kavelashvili in his address at the ceremonial event marking Georgia’s Defence Forces Day.

The President paid particular tribute to the families of servicemen and women, who, with immense patience, solidarity, and spiritual fortitude, share in the weight of honourable yet demanding service.

“As you are well aware, the contemporary security environment is changing rapidly, demanding of the state constant vigilance, strengthening, and development, all the more so given the challenges the world faces today. It is precisely for this reason that strengthening Georgia’s Defence Forces remains one of the country’s foremost priorities.

Your proper support, professional development, and the consolidation of our defence capabilities directly determine the security, stability, and the future we are building together,” President Kavelashvili declared.

The President paid solemn tribute to the memory of fallen heroes, whose names, he said, would endure forever as an example of self-sacrifice, indomitable spirit, and selfless love for the homeland.

“With the deepest respect and reverence, I wish to recall our fallen heroes, who gave the most precious thing of all, their own lives, for the freedom and dignity of the homeland. I bow before the memory of our heroes. Their names will remain forever in the memory of our people as an example of self-sacrifice, of unyielding courage, and of selfless love for the fatherland,” the President stated.

President Kavelashvili extended his congratulations on the 35th anniversary of Georgia’s Defence Forces to the young recruits who took their military oath on the day, and to the veterans whose experience, bravery, and dedication laid the foundations of the modern Georgian armed forces.

“I wish to mark Georgia’s Defence Forces Day by congratulating the young men and women who took their military oath today. From this day forth, you take upon yourselves a special responsibility, not only to yourselves, but to your homeland. In taking the military oath, you too become part of that unbroken chain which, across the centuries, has bound together and united the generations of Georgian patriots.

On the 35th anniversary of Georgia’s Defence Forces, I wish to extend my most heartfelt congratulations to our proud veterans, the men and women who, through their experience, courage, and dedication, laid the foundations of the modern Georgian army. Your service is a living example to the generations of today and tomorrow. Your patriotism, loyalty, self-sacrifice, and professionalism are a source of inspiration to all those who continue along this path of great responsibility,” Mikheil Kavelashvili has said.