The COVID-19 pandemic has made 2020 a year to forget for many, but European leaders are hoping for an upturn in fortunes as they prepare to roll out vaccines in 2021.

A host of influential figures have taken the opportunity to reflect on a tough year and outline their hopes for the next 12 months.

Here CGTN Europe rounds up the key messages from European leaders as they addressed their respective nations, along with several other influential figures.

Germany: Angela Merkel

"Let me tell you something personal in conclusion. In nine months, a parliamentary election will take place and I won't be running again," said Merkel. "Today is therefore in all likelihood the last time I am able to deliver a New Year's address to you."

She added: "I think I am not exaggerating when I say, never in the last 15 years have we found the old year so heavy and never have we, despite all the worries and some skepticism, looked forward to the new one with so much hope."

World Health Organization: Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

The director-general of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the world's richest nations must ensure poorer countries also have equal access to vaccines.

He said: "Vaccines offer great hope to turn the tide of the pandemic. But to protect the world, we must ensure that all people at risk everywhere – not just in countries that can afford vaccines – are immunized. 

"To do this, COVAX [the WHO's global vaccine alliance] needs just over $4 billion to buy vaccines for low and lower middle-income countries. This is the challenge we must rise to in the new year."

Italy: Giuseppe Conte

"I ask everyone to make an effort. Let's put away our ideologies, let's forget the emotional reactions. Let's make an act of solidarity, if we don't want to call it an act of love. Solidarity with all our national community, let's get vaccinated."

UK: Boris Johnson

"We are coming to the end of 2020, the year when the government was forced to tell people how to live their lives, how to wash their hands, how many households could meet together and a year in which we lost too many people before their time.

"But this was also the year we rediscovered a spirit of community and togetherness. When the sun rises on 2021 tomorrow we have the certainty of those vaccines, pioneered in the UK, that is also free to do things differently."

France: Emmanuel Macron

"Our nation has come through this year with such unity and resilience: nothing can resist it. Our nation has been capable, in these difficult times, of so much innovation, inventiveness and generosity: anything is possible. In 2021, whatever happens, we will therefore be able to face the crises - health, economic and social, terrorist, climatic - which will not end with January 1.

"Nor will I let, for the wrong reasons, an unjustified slowness take hold: every French person who wishes to do so must be able to get vaccinated. Safely and in the right order, starting with those who are most at risk."

Ireland: Micheál Martin / President Michael Higgins (pictured) 

"Ireland takes our seat on the United Nations Security Council today. It is a huge honour and responsibility. Our defence forces serve under the UN flag with great distinction. And we will bring the same determination, engagement and fairness to the important job ahead," Taoiseach Micheál Martin tweeted. 

In a video address, President Michael D Higgins gave a message of remembrance for those who died of COVID-19. He introduced Dan McCabe to sing The Parting Glass to see out what Higgins called "the year of COVID."

Hungary - Viktor Orban 

Hungary's Viktor Orban sent a simple message of "Happy New Year Hungary!" with a video of the year of the leader's highlights. 

Poland: Mateusz Morawiecki

The Polish PM Mateusz Morawiecki shared two photos of his family this New Year, with a message to his nation that he believed 2021 would be "better in every way."

He signed off with a message of "joy and warmth" and several emojis. 

"Wish you good health and strength.
Love in Family and among loved ones.
Joy and warmth.
Happy new year!
🇵🇱🍾🎇❤️👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Romania: Ludovic Orban

The Romanian Prime Minister was one of the only leaders to post a message without a picture or video on his official Facebook page. 

Instead, in a much longer message than his colleagues, he thanked "each and every Romanian who, through his conduct and solidarity, made his essential and necessary contribution to saving the lives of others." 

Before signing off with a cheerful look to the coming year. 

"Happy birthday, dear Romanians! May you have a new year with good health, faith and hope!"