Georgia celebrates 25th anniversary of national armed forces
President declares 2016 as Year of European State

Today is a historic date for Georgia. The country is today celebrating the 25th anniversary since the creation of the Georgian Armed Forces (GAF). 

The country’s President Giorgi Margvelahsvili, who is Commander in Chief of the GAF, Minister of Defence Tinatin Khidasheli and other Ministry officials made speeches at a gathering today where they thanked the GAF for their service to their homeland and congratulated them on the special occasion.

Margvelashvili said since Georgia gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the GAF had played a "crucial role” in the process of creating an independent Georgia. 

The President emphasised that 1991 was valuable milestone in Georgia’s history and he highlighted another milestone would be reached in 2016. 

In 2016 we will celebrate new Georgian statehood. Next year we will see new opportunities that will lead to new benefits.” 

President Giorgi Margvelashvili believes the GAF played a crucial role in creating independent Georgia. Photo by the President of Georgia’s Administration. 

From this independent country we should create a free country,” the President stressed. 

He said a free state was a nation without occupant forces on its territory, a country where humans were the priority, where the rule of law was of utmost importance and where people had free choice. 

We will definitely create a free state from this independent state. Our historic choice is Europe and that is why I declare 2016 as a Year of European Country,” Margvelahsvili said, adding the entire nation, including the GAF, would meet Georgia’s European goals together. 

In his final comment President Margvelashvili honoured the Georgian heroes who sacrificed their lives for their homeland. 

Also today Margvelashvili presented awards to several servicemen for their exemplary conduct in the GAF. 

Meanwhile when Defence Minister Khidasheli addressed the GAF at today’s ceremony, she spoke with emotion and highlighted the devoutness of Georgian servicemen. 

Georgia’s Minister of Defence Tinatin Khidasheli said the GAF has always stood by and protected Georgian and its people. Photo by the Ministry of Defence. 

Khidasheli stressed the GAF had always stood by and protected the Georgian people, both inside and outside its state borders. 

Our soldiers have always stood there where it was necessary for each Georgian. The Georgian statehood is based on the Georgian Army. 

Georgian soldiers are fighting in Afghanistan, the Georgian Army assisted its people when in June 13 a major flood hit Tbilisi, the Georgian Army has shown numerous examples of heroism,” Khidasheli said.

She added such examples of heroism motivated the youth who decided to embark on a military future with the GAF.