As the calendar turns to 2019, leaders around the world have reflected on their nation's accomplishments and challenges in the past year and what lies ahead in the coming 12 months.
Trump: 2019 would be a 'great year'
U.S. President Donald Trump used his medium of choice – Twitter – to deliver a short and very 'Trumpesque' new year's message where he wished Americans a "really, really, Happy New Year”.
Regarding 2018 as “a year of historic accomplishments”, Trump celebrated his decision to withdraw troops from Syria and defended his planned border wall that led to a government shutdown a week before the New Year.
Screenshot from Donald Trump's Twitter account
Screenshot from Donald Trump's Twitter account
Putin urges Russians to unite
"We have never had and will never have any assistants, and that's why it's important for us to be a united, single and strong team,” Russian President Vladimir Putin urged in his 2019 New Year's address across 11 time zones.
"We can achieve positive results only through our own efforts and well-coordinated team work," he said.
Putin stressed that improving quality of life in Russia will remain a top priority in 2019.
Russian President Vladimir Putin during his New Year address in central Moscow, December 31, 2018. /VCG Photo
Russian President Vladimir Putin during his New Year address in central Moscow, December 31, 2018. /VCG Photo
Abe: Pave the way toward a new era
Japan will usher in a new era in its ties with China in the new year among others, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said in his New Year speech on Tuesday.
"Japan will draw the global spotlight as we will welcome top world leaders" in the Group of 20 Summit in June, Abe said.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe outlined his expectation in the speech to “aggressively pursue the resolution of Japan's postwar diplomatic concerns” as Japan is “at a major turning point”.
Abe vowed to make 2019 a year to “open Japan's tomorrow”.
Shinzo Abe, Japan's Prime Minister, speaks during a meeting with council members of the Keidanren business lobby in Tokyo, Japan, December 26, 2018. /VCG Photo
Shinzo Abe, Japan's Prime Minister, speaks during a meeting with council members of the Keidanren business lobby in Tokyo, Japan, December 26, 2018. /VCG Photo
ROK hails Kim's New Year speech
The Republic of Korea (ROK) on Tuesday welcomed
the New Year's speech by Kim Jong Un, leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
Seoul's unification ministry said that the government hailed Kim's stance to continue the Korean Peninsula's complete denuclearization, the establishment of permanent peace, and the expanded development in relations with the ROK.
The statement said the ROK will sincerely implement inter-Korean agreements to develop inter-Korean ties in an epoch-making way, while making efforts to completely denuclearize the peninsula and build lasting peace.
DPRK leader Kim Jong Un (L) shakes hands with ROK President Moon Jae-in during the inter-Korean summit at the Peace House in the village of Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), South Korea, April 27, 2018. /VCG Photo
DPRK leader Kim Jong Un (L) shakes hands with ROK President Moon Jae-in during the inter-Korean summit at the Peace House in the village of Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), South Korea, April 27, 2018. /VCG Photo
Macron highlights 'truth, dignity, hope'
In his traditional New Year's address, French President Emmanuel Macron said France "wants to build a better future”, and views the year 2019 as a “decisive” one.
He expressed three wishes: “truth, dignity and hope”, in a context of social tension caused by the “Yellow Vests” movement.
Macron urged French people to remember previous generations who fought for today's freedoms, and stressed that freedom “requires a republican order” as well as “the respect of each and all opinions.”
French President Emmanuel Macron poses for a photograph after delivering his New Year speech from the Elysee Palace in Paris, December 31, 2018. /VCG Photo
French President Emmanuel Macron poses for a photograph after delivering his New Year speech from the Elysee Palace in Paris, December 31, 2018. /VCG Photo
Singapore's PM: 'Confident about our future”
Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the “significant headway” made in leadership succession in 2018 provided “confidence that Singapore will be in good hands over the long term”.
Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during his visit at the National Congress in Buenos Aires, November 29, 2018, on the eve of the G20 Leaders' Summit. /VCG Photo
Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during his visit at the National Congress in Buenos Aires, November 29, 2018, on the eve of the G20 Leaders' Summit. /VCG Photo
In his New Year message, he highlighted that Singapore is “calmly and constructively” tending to relations with Malaysia and Indonesia, and a new generation of Singaporeans will learn to "collectively protect our vital interests while living in peace and friendship with our neighbors".
New Year's address from other world leaders:
(With inputs from agencies)
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