PM Garibashvili's wishes Georgians a happy New Year

The Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili has welcomed 2014 by wishing peace, success and well-being to all Georgian citizens and families.

In his New Year message, Garibashvili wished Georgian citizens and families a happy and prosperous year.

He said 2013 had been a "very important year where Georgia had made vital steps in becoming a more democratic country and 2014 would see the country continue to move forward.  

He announced this year Georgia is set to sign the EU Association Agreement, which will draw Georgia closer to Europe.

"In August 2014, Georgia will sign the EU Association Agreement and this will imply totally new opportunities offered to our country.

"The internal EU market will gradually open to Georgian production [and] visa-free travel to the Schengen Area is not an excessively long-term prospect for our citizens either," he said.

Meanwhile, 2013 was a positive and important year for Georgia, filled with "emotions and events, Garibashvili said.

"We carried out a truly democratic and free presidential election, taking yet another step toward democracy. The process of ensuring justice in the country was launched last year [and] the era of fear and terror is over.Thousands of people, [who were] unfairly detained in unbearable conditions by the previous Government, are celebrating the New Year at home. Ican assure you that this process will be in full conformity to the law and no one will doubt its fairness," Garibashvili said in his television appeal.

He said his Government was transparent in its relations with Georgian people and it valued the voices of its people. "Our government is straightforward in its relations with our people. You are enabled to control the government. We prize your voice and take it into account, which has already been proved by us," he said.  

Developing the economy was said to be the Governments main challenge for 2014 and Garibashvili promised numerous factories would be established.

"And this will mark the irreversible process of our countrys economic growth. We will ensure all conditions to develop and support business, create workplaces and ensure the employment of as many people as possible," he said.

In his New Year speech, Garibashvili said the Government would guarantee all conditions necessary to have all Georgian lands cultivated, with no exception, in the next four to five years. He said the country must produce quality goods, so that export may replace import.

"We must streamline the use of our countrys rich and abundant natural resources.

Furthermore, the prime minister said his Government will ensure no child will be left without education, as well as plans to start building out-patient hospitals and better access to healthcare.

He said the Government will make an all-out effort to provide all citizens with decent living conditions.

In his speech Garibashvili particularly wished a Happy New Year to teachers, doctors, soldiers, and police officers; everyone who serves his or her homeland unconditionally and selflessly.

"I would like to wish a Happy New Year to our Abkhazian and Ossetian brothers and sisters. And I am convinced that we will surely come to an understanding, restore our relations, and work to ensure our shared future," he added.

He wished a Happy New Year to soldiers and participants of international missions who protect the Georgian state far away from home and to compatriots throughout the world.

"My wish for them is to return to their homeland and lead a dignified life here.

He ended his message by saying: "Once again, Happy New Year. Please accept my wishes for well-being and success."