Georgia’s President, Prime Minister host joint New Year reception

Georgia's President Giorgi Margvelashvili and Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, together with their wives, have hosted a joint New Year reception for diplomatic corps accredited in Georgia and representatives of international organisations.

2016 has been a year of both achievements and challenges. May the coming year bring peace, more positivity and less negativity to Georgia and the whole world," Kvirikashvili said as he addressed the guests.

Georgia's President (L) and Prime Minister (second right) with their wives, welcome foreign diplomats at the New Year reception. Photo by the Prime Minister's press office.

Syria in focus of the evening

In his speech, the Georgian Prime Minister spoke about the "extremely dramatic events” in Syria and offered the Syrian people his solidarity.

We, as representatives of humanity, express our solidarity with those in extreme need [in Syria]. We are ready to ease the burden that has befallen them," Kvirikashvili said.

He added that today, more than ever before, the international community needed to stand together to rise to the challenge and support Syria and other peoples in need.

Georgia committed to Western values

Maka Chichua (L), the wife of President Giorgi Margvelashvili and Maka Tsinadze, the wife of Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili share a toast at yesterday's reception. Photo by the President's press office.

The Prime Minister went on to thank Georgia's friends for their "tremendous assistance and support” at "this very important stage” in the country's development.

Our country's Western trajectory of democratic development is of utmost importance for improving the welfare of our citizens, for ensuring their prosperity, and our people are dealing with many difficulties to this end,” Kvirikashvili said.

"Nonetheless, we all, the whole country, are full of hope because we have embraced out path as the only right path. We are full of hope because we have such friends. Once again, please accept my sincere wishes for peace and happiness in the coming New Year.”