“My dear fellow citizens, we bid farewell to yet another year and it was not an easy one, bringing a lot of pain and leaving traces of hardship and risks in our memory. Nevertheless, we had success and progress in all directions. We all together, being reasonable and prudent – and what is most important – in peace and stability – passed this year and look forward to the entry of the new 2023 with hope.

Georgia made a historic step forward this year by officially applying for accession to the European Union. The European Council recognized Georgia’s European Perspective. With its unique culture and traditions, Georgia will ultimately become a fully-fledged member of the common European family!

Traditionally, I wish to express my gratitude to all those people, who have been serving our nation and its best interests with their dedication, hard work, selflessness, professionalism and sincere affection.

I wish Happy New Year to our heroic servicemen fighting for the independence, defense, security and freedom of our homeland, as well as our brave policemen, security servicemen, officers and fire-fighters. I wish to extend my gratitude to our medical personnel and healthcare professionals at large, our teachers and professors, scientists, representatives of arts and culture, our praiseworthy sportsmen, and civil servants. Our country is proud of your dedication and hard work!

I wish Happy New Year to our veterans, our distinguished elderly generation and future ones – children and youth. With overwhelming warmth and affection, I wish Happy New Year to our compatriots living and working overseas – our Diaspora, who are not disconnecting themselves from Georgian roots.

I also wish Happy New Year to the Ukrainian brothers and sisters, as well as their children living in Georgia. I wish them a quick end to the war and a peaceful return to their motherland.

I congratulate each member of our great ethnic, cultural and religious diversity making a priceless contribution to the progress of our country!,” - Irakli Gharibashvili said.