President: Let 2019 Be Year of Reconciliation!

Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili addressed people on New Year’s eve, with hopes that 2019 would become the year of reconciliation with Georgia’s breakaway regions Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

“I congratulate our Abkhaz and Ossetian brothers! Let 2019 be a year of reconciliation! Let this year be a year of peace, spiritual serenity, tolerance, unity and the precondition for our integrity! I wish a happy New Year to all Georgia!,” said the President.

In her address, Zurabishvili wished joyful, fruitful, and cheerful 2019 to every citizen of Georgia.

“Congratulations on this occasion to each and every citizen of Tbilisi and people living in the regions and villages of Georgia! I congratulate our citizens living abroad! I congratulate travelers! I congratulate soldiers and policemen who ensure our peace and order! I congratulate our soldiers in the distant Mali and Afghanistan. I will pay them a visit in the near future. I congratulate our heroes living at the occupation line, in Gali and Akhalgori,” she added.

The President assessed 2018 as a year full of both hardships and great joy, and once again thanked the people who voted for her in the presidential elections.

“I am grateful for your trust and support! All challenges are accompanied by life lessons. In order for those who will walk this path tomorrow to be no longer affected by insult, defamation, hate speech. We should think how to protect simultaneously the freedom of speech and human dignity by law,” she stated.

Zurabishvili noted that 2018 was a successful year for Georgian sportsmen and also for Georgian culture.

“The future generation should be raised following examples of success. The great victories of Georgian athletes in 2018 show us a brilliant way to success and a healthy life. The champion para-athletes have proved that they are not only perfect members of our community but also its outstanding parts. In 2018, two Georgian phenomena were added to the list of the world's intangible cultural heritage: three types of Georgian alphabet and Georgian wrestling. I believe that Georgian culture will be further promoted worldwide in 2019,” she added.

“Let this year be a year of peace, spiritual serenity, tolerance, unity and the precondition for our integrity! I wish a happy New Year to all Georgia!” the President concluded.

By Thea Morrison