President Shevardnadze Delivers New Year Message to Nation

Dear compatriots and friends! 

A few more minutes and the year 2002 will become history. It was undoubtedly an outstanding year for our home country, because it was this year, which is now coming to an end, that Georgia simultaneously achieved spectacular success on several fronts of state development. What would have been a very daring dream 10 or 12 years ago has now become reality.

Over the past year, Georgia has become a force to be reckoned with in world politics and not an insignificant participant of cooperation with the largest states. Military development programs implemented with the support of our American friends enable the country not only to make its fair contribution to the success of the global antiterrorist coalition – the main priority of the new century – but also to essentially expedite the development of a professional army – the basis and the strongest guard of an independent, integral and democratic state.

You know that in 2002, Georgia officially confirmed its desire to join the North Atlantic alliance. However, we are perfectly well aware that in order to achieve this historical task, we need to act likewise purposely, energetically and courageously in the next few years.

It is notable that despite many problems, relations with our big neighbor – the Russian Federation – are approaching a desirable model, which implies respect for Russia’s legitimate interests on the one hand and on the other, ensures joint action to become a member of the European union of democratic states.

Last year, the efforts of many years resulted in a common victory – the implementation of the Great Silk Road projects places Georgia in a worthy position in the world. This year, for the first time after a long period, the government’s economic team managed to make a turning point in fulfilling budget commitments. This will enable us to improve the economic situation and the living standards of citizens, without which speaking about the country’s independence or democratic development will be pointless.

Next year’s budget will draw on this undeniable priority. The coming year will see an increase in social expenses, including the minimum salary, compensation for electricity payments, allowances for vulnerable families, the salaries of teachers of secondary schools and institutions of higher education. We have honestly kept our promise to provide the country’s population with full secondary education free of charge.

Georgian citizens, who made a worthy civic contribution and great sacrifice to secure the country’s freedom, deserve a better life indeed. But the country’s true independence is unimaginable without people enjoying simple human happiness. We have drawn up a six or seven-year programme – we call it a new project for a new Georgia. The implementation of the programme will enable us to perfect the Georgian state, i.e. to merge personal aspirations with the state and national interests and create an unbreakable whole forever.

The coming year will be a turning point in this regard. You know that parliamentary elections are to be held in 2003. I am confident that the population will make its wise and far-reaching decision once again, taking into consideration the bitter lessons of the past.

Our generation was lucky to re-establish an independent country after many years. This choice and a corresponding state policy have no other alternatives. Its single evil and threatening alternative is the loss of independence and return to the past.

My dear friends, I am ready to fight on and work along with you, sparing no efforts to ensure that the year 2003 is the year of the victory of the big choice and a brilliant success of the Georgian nation and every worthy citizen of the country.

May pride, joy and happiness be first-foots in every home in the new year.

Happy New Year, dear compatriots and friends!

Many happy returns, my beloved Georgia!

Source: BBC Monitoring Service