The President of Georgia, Mikheil Kavelashvili, congratulates Georgian servicemen on the 35th anniversary of the Georgian Defence Forces

President Mikheil Kavelashvili delivered a speech at a ceremonial event dedicated to the Day of the Georgian Defence Forces, extending his congratulations to military personnel on the occasion of the 35^th anniversary of the institution.

The event was held at the premises of the 4^th Infantry Brigade in Vaziani. It was attended by the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze; the Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia, Shalva Papuashvili; the Mayor of Tbilisi, Kakha Kaladze; the Minister of Defence of Georgia, Irakli Chikovani; and the Chief of the Georgian Defense Forces, Major General Giorgi Matiashvili.

As Mikheil Kavelashvili noted, 30 April - the Day of the Georgian Defence Forces - constitutes a date of particular significance for the Georgian state.

"30 April, the Day of the Georgian Defence Forces, is a date of particular significance for our state. It is a day on which we address, with the utmost respect and gratitude, those patriots who serve with dignity on a daily basis and, at the cost of their own lives, safeguard our country's sovereignty, peace and security.

The Day of the Georgian Defence Forces is not merely a professional holiday of military personnel; it also constitutes an expression of societal unity, civic responsibility and national consciousness."

The history of the Georgian people is a history of the struggle for freedom. We may state with pride that, over the centuries, our ancestors fought tirelessly to defend their identity, faith and homeland. It is precisely this continuous and principled fight that has shaped our national character and endowed us with the inner strength that has enabled our country to withstand numerous historical trials.

For us, as Georgians, military service is not merely a profession. It is the continuation of a profound tradition passed down from generation to generation - a tradition that binds the past, present and future into a unified whole and constitutes one of the principal pillars of our national cohesion.

Today, it is you who represent the force that stands ready at every moment to ensure the security of the state and its citizens. Your dedication and resilience merit the particular esteem and appreciation of the Georgian people," Mikheil Kavelashvili stated.

The Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces paid tribute to the memory of the fallen heroes. In the course of his address, he also expressed his gratitude to veteran servicemen who, through their experience, courage and dedication, laid the foundations of the modern Georgian army. The President of Georgia further addressed and extended his best wishes to the young individuals who had taken the military oath.

"Special thanks are due to the families of servicemen - individuals who, with remarkable patience, solidarity and moral fortitude, share the burden of a service that is as honorable as it is demanding.

As you are aware, the contemporary security environment is rapidly evolving and requires constant vigilance, strengthening and development on the part of the state, particularly in light of the challenges facing the world today. For this reason, the strengthening of the Georgian Defense Forces constitutes one of the country's foremost priorities. Your proper support, professional development and the enhancement of defence capabilities directly determine our nation's security, stability and the future we are building together.

With the utmost respect and humility, I wish to commemorate our fallen heroes, who sacrificed the most precious of all - their own lives - for the freedom and dignity of the homeland. I bow my head before their memory. Their names will forever endure in the memory of our people as exemplars of self-sacrifice, steadfastness, and selfless devotion to the homeland

I would like to extend my congratulations on the Day of the Georgian Defence Forces to the young individuals who have taken the military oath today. From this day forward, you assume a special responsibility - not only to yourselves, but to your homeland.

By taking the military oath, you become part of an unbroken chain that, across the centuries, has linked and united successive generations of Georgian patriots.

"I would like to extend my particular congratulations on the 35^th anniversary of the Georgian Defence Forces to our esteemed veterans - individuals who, through their experience, courage and dedication, laid the foundations of the modern Georgian army.

Your service stands as a living example for present and future generations. Your patriotism, loyalty, self-sacrifice and professionalism serve as a source of inspiration for those who continue along this demanding path today," Mikheil Kavelashvili stated.

Prior to the ceremonial event dedicated to the Day of the Georgian Defence Forces, the President of Georgia laid a wreath at the memorial to the heroes who fell for the unity of Georgia.