In his inaugural address at Parliament Palace, President H.E. Mikheil Kavelashvili expressed his profound gratitude for the trust bestowed upon his candidacy by the ruling party and the unwavering support of the Electoral Panel members: “I would like to start my presidential speech with the words of gratitude for the trust that the ruling party has granted to my candidacy and to the Electoral Panel members for their support on this position!”.

Acknowledging Georgia’s tumultuous history, President Kavelashvili recounted the resilience of the Georgian people amidst countless hardships and struggles for their homeland and dignity.

“Despite facing formidable adversaries, including empires that surpassed the numbers of Georgian warriors, the nation endured, preserving its values for future generations”.

President Kavelashvili underscored Georgia’s distinction as a historically remarkable nation, established in ancient times. He highlighted the nation’s contributions to the world, including the creation of a unique culture that has endured for centuries, uniting Georgians through shared traditions and values. “The relentless pursuit of freedom and the centuries-long resistance against oppressive forces forged the indomitable spirit of the Georgian people, instilling a profound sense of unity and confidence in their collective strength".

“It is the unity that is based on the mutual respect, sanctity of family and devotion to the homeland, where a strong family means a strong country and vice versa. The Georgian family serves as a nurturing environment where children are raised with respect for their parents and grandparents, instilling aspirations for freedom, a commitment to justice, and acceptance of diverse perspectives and sacrament to the ancient traditions that unify the Georgian people”.

As he rightly pointed out, the nature, history and culture of the Georgian people are evident in our language, which rightfully occupies a place among the world’s most ancient languages.

“Numerous Georgian words, phrases, and adages are reflections of our past, replete with the stories of devotion and tenacity of the Georgian people. The Georgian language is used in numerous masterpieces across the globe, captivating the imagination of readers worldwide. The Georgian language best encapsulates the spirit and emotions of the Georgian nation, which are truly characteristic of us”, - the President stated.

In his speech, Mikheil Kavelashvili underscored that the Georgian people have consistently recognized the paramount importance of peace as the cornerstone of survival and development. "Our history demonstrates that the Georgian people have always prioritized peace as a primary objective and value, serving as a milestone for their labor, cultural enrichment, and creation of remarkable artistic works, and architectural monuments. As you are aware, the Georgian festive table is a testament to our traditions and attitudes, simultaneously embodying the monument of our intangible cultural heritage, which encapsulates the Georgian people’s unwavering commitment to peace. Every Georgian traditional festival commences with a toast for peace and a prayer to the Lord. This act of reverence allows the Georgian people to glorify the Lord, express gratitude, and fervently pray for peace. The roots of this tradition lie in the past of our country, marked by numerous wars, and the dream of peace that sustained the people exhausted by battles. The Georgian people have consistently recognized that peace is the indispensable guarantee of salvation and development. Prosperity, welfare, uninterrupted development, a secure and prosperous future, and the aspiration for happiness can only be realized through meticulous efforts to address the persistent challenges, meticulously analyze the threats posed to us, and make decisions based on reason rather than emotions".

According to the President, the Georgian people are characterized by a genuine emotional nature that is often misused by our adversaries.

"Therefore, we must exercise particular prudence and discretion; the past mistakes and lessons learned shall serve as the foundation of our future decisions. We are solely committed to the national interests”.

The President emphasized that, amidst the recent turbulence in the region and globally, Georgia must confront and address numerous challenges. “These include the threats that could be utterly devastating for our country. supported by the Georgian people and in collaboration with state institutions, we have successfully averted these destructive threats. The inherent nature of a freedom-aspiring Georgian people proved pivotal in this process, as the Georgian spirit will never tolerate or condone oppression, injustice, disrespect, or arrogance. The Georgian people hold their traditions dear and expect other countries to respect these traditions, values, national identity, the sanctity of families, and religion. This unwavering and courageous spirit has enabled us to preserve and maintain peace and statehood during these unequal struggles against injustice and falsehoods. Moreover, amidst this turmoil, we continue to progress toward economic growth, national development, and aspiration to join the European family”.

In his address, the President highlighted the Georgian people’s remarkable tolerance.

“For centuries, the Georgian people have maintained harmonious coexistence with various ethnic or religious groups. We have consistently been renowned for humanity, respect for diverse positions, high tolerance, a high degree of friendship and loyalty, and love for our fellow citizens. IIt is not surprising that various ethnic groups and people, shortly after arriving in Georgia, perceived our country as their home and have consistently fought side by side with Georgian warriors when our nation was at war. Our history is replete with narratives of valor, and I am delighted to witness the active participation of ethnic minorities in our nation’s public and political processes. I extend my sincere gratitude to them. Our collective responsibility is to ensure that each of them feels fully integrated into the fabric of our country”.

Mikheil Kavelashvili emphasized that all citizens bear the scars of the inflicted conflicts with our Abkhazian and Ossetian counterparts.

“Centuries have passed since we have coexisted peacefully with them, forging a shared history and defending our nation against invaders. We have penned cherished tales of friendship and love, creating mixed families that transcend ethnic boundaries. I am confident that we shall soon celebrate the healing of these wounds and, reconciled, continue living together based on the enduring traditions, mutual respect, and love that define our unified and formidable Georgia”.

As he noted, our nation currently grapples with the artificial polarization of our society.

“I hold every Georgian citizen in high regard, irrespective of their attitudes or political affiliations. My aspiration is to serve as President to all citizens, regardless of their political beliefs. My subsequent endeavors will be dedicated to fostering social cohesion and reconciliation. While differing opinions may exist among the citizens, we unequivocally recognize the imperative for national unity based on our shared values, mutual respect, and a vision for the future”.

Kavelashvili underscored the unwavering aspiration of our nation for freedom, a fundamental value embodied in the concept of “love for liberty.

“The term “freedom” encapsulates the rights, responsibilities, and protection of the values that propelled us toward this cherished freedom; It represents a relentless pursuit of an immortal idea, known as Georgia. This concept encompasses respect for our history, culture, traditions, national identity, and religion. In the Georgian language, the term “free” carries a literal interpretation, denoting self-sufficiency and independence, free from external dependencies except your own conscience, morality, and humanity. True freedom, however, encompasses a profound pursuit of self-discovery, seeking divine truth within oneself, and embodying the virtues of kindness and compassion, which are urgently needed in our contemporary world. It is crucial to recognize that freedom does not equate to overwhelming rights; rather, it emphasizes the recognition that our rights are contingent upon the rights of others. Furthermore, freedom encompasses critical thinking, open dialogue, and constructive discussions, which serve as the foundation for bridging divides and fostering reconciliation among diverse perspectives”.

As the President rightly emphasized, the free citizens of Georgia are those who uphold our Constitution, respect our state institutions, adhere to the rule of law, and embrace the regulations established by the authorities.

“The sense of statehood is the cornerstone of building a robust society and a strong nation. Statehood and its associated values serve as the pillars that support the Georgian nation, uniting our country and fostering a sense of belonging. The protection of these concepts of freedom, law, and national identity burns deeply within the hearts of the Georgian people, serving as a source of pride and a testament to the advantages of being a member of the European Union, as a platform for safeguarding our culture, values, traditions, history, language, religion, and statehood, given our small size as a nation. Any Georgian individual who deviates from these values must introspect and determine their purpose and contributions. I believe in the Georgian people, I believe in the strength of our nation, I firmly believe in the Georgian people and their unwavering strength. Equipped with our rich history, values, and unwavering Georgian spirit, we possess the resilience to overcome internal challenges and unite around our beloved homeland. I firmly believe that love will always prevail, guiding us towards a prosperous and harmonious Georgia. May God bless our unified and strong Georgia, brimming with love and compassion”, - the President stated.