2015-12-19
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear colleagues,
Above all, dear friends,
Again and so quickly we have reached the time of the year of family gatherings. It is a time of traditions, endings but also and perhaps most importantly, it is a time of new beginnings.
I remember delivering a speech at this reception last year and telling you that our moto for 2015 would be "every day, a little bit better". It seems incredible to think that a whole year has passed since then. Yet at the same time, if we actually look back on what we have achieved these past 12 months, it seems incredible that it has in fact only been one year.
My team and I had set out objectives and priorities when we started in January - from EU integration, to reforms, to making Georgia a great regional and global player - and on all accounts, Georgia has registered positive progress.
The Association Agreement with the EU has pursued a steady ratification process and today is ratified by 27 Member States and the European Parliament.
Visa liberalization has taken a leap forward, with the final positive report of the European Commission being published just yesterday.
Georgia-NATO relations have been strengthened through the implementation of the substantial package for Georgia.
Guided by the concrete roadmaps of the Association Agreement, DCFTA and Visa Liberalization Action Plan, we have sustained democratic reforms throughout 2015 and continued to climb steadily in international rankings.
Perhaps what has made 2015 different, however, is the increasing role Georgia has played as a regional hub and bridge among east and west. With the relaunch of the Great Silk Road, new opportunities have opened and we by no means will let these opportunities pass us by: the Tbilisi Silk Road Forum which was launched in October aims to establish a platform for exchange and discussion among all interested states and international organizations in order to explore opportunities, align visions and enhance partnership. We also had the opportunity to host the first Ministerial of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
Of course, 2015 has not been without challenges and we have already set our priorities for a year 2016: continuing to roll out our ambitious reform agenda and make steady progress towards European and Euro-Atlantic integration, fully embracing our role as a regional business and connectivity hub, and working together with the international community in the fight against terrorism. We will also continue to seek constructive and peaceful politics in the region. And of course, we will spare no effort to ensure that the upcoming parliamentary elections are free, fair, and fully democratic.
Dear friends,
We worked hard in 2015 to make every day a little better for the citizens of Georgia. Much remains to be done, but I am convinced the ball is rolling and progress will continue!
In closing, I have to say that everything we undertake would be immensely more complex without the unconditional support of our international partners. My very special thanks today go out to all of you for helping Georgia to make its dream a reality.
Happy Holidays!