PM: Georgian armed forces are guarantors of country’s independence, Gov’t must appreciate their merits, honourable service

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Sunday congratulated the country’s armed forces on Defence Forces Day and said they were guarantors of Georgia’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, highlighting the Government's duty to appreciate their merits and honourable service.

Today I would like to congratulate all of you, our outstanding and praiseworthy military personnel who serve our country with dignity. [...] our undefeated, dedicated and heroic wounded fighters who along with all the veterans of the armed forces fought bravely and continue to fight for the freedom of our country”, Garibashvili said in his speech.

At the ceremony, marking the 32nd anniversary of the creation of Georgian armed forces, the Head of the Government paid a tribute to the memory of “all the fallen heroes”, whose devotion and struggle had “strengthened Georgia’s identity”, sincerely thanking service members for their dedication and faithful service.

The Georgian Army deserves all the best, it is our duty to appreciate your merits and your honourable service as much as possible - I believe our army will become even stronger”, the Head of the Government noted.

“During very difficult time in the world, [including] Russian aggression in Ukraine, [...] in a hardly predictable, turbulent geopolitical environment, [...] the country needs to further strengthen its institutions and first of all, the Georgian army as the most important force for the security and peace of our country”, Garibashvili emphasised.

He noted the Government continued to develop the defence capabilities according to the long-term plan, emphasising that the Georgian armed forces would become “even stronger”. The PM thanked the country’s international partners, the United States and NATO member countries, who help to strengthen Georgian armed forces.