"Georgia has strong defense forces today" - Zurabishvili on the Georgian army
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GAIN YOUR FREEDOM TOGETHER WITH US!
Today is an important day for the Georgian army, and not only for the Georgian army, but for Georgia as a whole. The Georgian Defense Forces have completed the NATO "Strong Support Mission" in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - Salome Zurabishvili addressed the Georgian servicemen returning from Afghanistan at the Senaki military base.
More than twenty thousand Georgian servicemen took part in international missions in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Thirty-two servicemen of the Georgian Defense Forces sacrificed their lives to ensure international security. We bow before the memory of the fallen. We also recognize our responsibility to those who have sacrificed their health in the struggle for homeland independence and world peace. I am pleased to award the Medal for Military Courage today to 8 military personnel, including soldiers, who have faithfully performed their duties at the risk of their own lives and health and have made a significant contribution to the successful completion of the peacekeeping mission.
Today, Georgia has strong defense forces. Today's Georgian army is based on the example and spirit of the heroes who went through many wars. Fought and served for peace and freedom in our their country, fought and served in international missions with our strategic partners for world peace and security. The Georgian army has repeatedly proved that it is the main defender and supporting force of the state.
We are a future-oriented country and have the ambition to set an example for others. Georgia is a NATO partner that fully shares its values and security principles. Georgian soldiers have repeatedly proven that our country is a reliable and worthy partner to overcome regional and global challenges. The result of this partnership was the participation of Georgia, as one of the largest contributors to the "Strong Support Mission".
The struggle continues, the struggle for Western choice and a dignified future, the struggle for independence and stability, for peace and security in Georgia and abroad.
It is important that veterans continue to be in the service of Georgia, to participate in the upbringing of future generations. The obligation to protect the homeland is an obligation of continuous devotion and self-sacrifice. Georgia will never stop aspiring to NATO, it will always be a conscientious executor of its obligations. At the end, I am proud to say that it is the modern, NATO-compatible defense forces that bring us even closer to Alliance membership, and I cannot fail to mention here the contribution of our partners whose soldiers you fought with. Our participation in this peacekeeping mission is over, the mission itself will end on 31 August. Our unity, our solidarity and our united struggle will not end. I want to thank you all very much. Long live the Georgian army! Long live Georgia!” Said the President of Georgia.
