Greetings to you all at one of the most important and proud institutions of the Georgian state, a place where the hearts of our homeland’s defenders beat with the greatest energy and enthusiasm. Congratulations on the National Defense Academy Day and on successfully completing your training courses! Such a statement made the Speaker of the Parliament at the ceremony dedicated to the 10th graduation of the undergraduate program and the 19th graduation of the candidate course at the National Defense Academy [NDA].

As noted by Shalva Natelashvili, it is a result of collective effort that the Georgian Army enjoys the highest level of public trust and respect among national institutions.

He emphasized that the Defense Forces have repeatedly proven their loyalty to the homeland, both in word and deed. Accordingly, they have earned the trust, hope, love, and respect of the people, and this will always be the case.

“I am sure that each of you takes great pride in being a member of the Defense Forces. For decades, when our country had lost its independence, it was the dream of many Georgians to become a soldier of an independent Georgia. Today, that dream has become a reality for you. Congratulations on successfully completing your educational programs. From today, you will have the honor and greater opportunity to further strengthen the security and peaceful future of our homeland through your talent, education, daily efforts, and activities. Strengthening the Georgian Army is the duty of all of us - citizens, government, and people alike, both women and men. That is why, year after year, we are increasing the budget of the Ministry of Defense, enhancing our defense capabilities, equipping our army with the best, and providing the best educational opportunities in the country. The government and parliament will continue to do everything to ensure that, on the one hand, the Georgian state develops peacefully, and on the other hand, that the Georgian Defense Forces are well-prepared and fully equipped.

It is through our collective effort that the Georgian Army enjoys the highest level of authority and trust among national institutions.

Our Defense Forces have repeatedly demonstrated their loyalty to the homeland through both words and actions. Consequently, you have earned the trust, hope, love, and respect of the people, and this will always be the case. I would like to thank the educators of the NDA, who, under the leadership of the Academy’s Rector, Brigadier General Mamia Balakhadze, put their heart and soul into raising new generations of officers for the Defense Forces. Your contribution to the homeland is immeasurable.

I would like to extend special thanks to the family members of the graduates and students of the NDA. You set an example of what love and loyalty to the homeland mean. Thank you for your patriotism, and thank you for raising such children. Once again, I congratulate you on the great honor of being called a Georgian officer and wish you peaceful skies, for no one knows the value of peace better than those entrusted with its protection”, - said Shalva Papuashvili.

At the ceremony dedicated to the graduation day of the NDA graduates, speeches were also delivered by the Minister of Defense, Irakli Chikovani, the Chief of the Georgian Defense Forces, Major General Giorgi Matiashvili, and the Rector of the NDA, Brigadier General Mamia Balakhadze. The event was attended by the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Parliament, Nikoloz Samkharadze.

At the end of the ceremonial event, diplomas and commemorative gifts were presented to the graduating officers.