Archive

Search results

Found 37935 Results
Page 30 of 759

TI Georgia: Almost Half of Political Donations Went to Georgian Dream


Transparency International Georgia, a local watchdog, released its quarterly newsletter on political donations on May 15, saying that from January 1 to March 31, 2023, all political parties in Georgia received a total of GEL 640,569 in donations, of which almost half, GEL 300,000 went to the ruling party. The ruling party is followed by …

Tags: , ,

15/05/2023 - 14:58


Foreign Minister of Denmark Visits Georgia


The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Denmark, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, was on a working visit to Georgia on May 14-15 during which the Danish Embassy in Georgia was officially opened. He met with the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Garibashvili, the Foreign Minister of Georgia, Ilia Darchiashvili and the Vice Prime Minister …

Tags: , , , , ,


Georgia’s Foreign Trade Up 21.9% in January-April 2023


Georgia’s foreign trade increased by 21.9% in January-April 2023, compared to the corresponding period of the previous year, totaling USD 6.5 billion, according to the express data released by the National Statistics Office (Geostat) on May 15. Source: National Statistics Office of Georgia During the same period, exports increased by 23.5% to USD 1.9 billion …

Tags: ,


Georgian Citizen Released and Another Detained by Russian Occupying Force


On May 13, the State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG) reported that Giorgi Terashvili, who had been illegally detained by Russian occupation forces on May 11 near the village of Mejvriskhevi in the Gori municipality, had been released and is now safe within the territory controlled by the central government. However, on May 14, another …

Tags: , ,


The Daily Beat: 12 May


The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) rejected the request to use an interim measure to transfer imprisoned ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili to Warsaw for medical treatment, justice minister Rati Bregadze said at a news briefing. According to the minister, the request for Saakashvili’s transfer to another medical facility in the country was also not enforced …

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

13/05/2023 - 09:00


Pro-Western Opposition Parties: “Georgia Faces International Isolation”


Pro-Western opposition parties issued a joint statement today accusing the ruling Georgian Dream of “once again” threatening Georgia’s European and Euro-Atlantic future, saying the country is facing the real risk of the international isolation and of being left in Russia’s sphere of influence. This in its turn, “raises the risks of the renewed attack and …

Tags: ,

12/05/2023 - 19:57


Justice Minister: Strasbourg Court Rejects Request to Transfer Saakashvili to Warsaw for Treatment


Georgian Justice Minister, Rati Bregadze said at a news briefing on May 12 that the European Court of Human Rights rejected the request to use an interim measure to transfer imprisoned ex-president, Mikheil Saakashvili, to Warsaw for treatment. Nor did the court order the state to transfer him to another medical facility in the country, …

Tags: , , , ,


IDFI: Refusal to Allow Former UNM Members to Form Political Group Violates Parliament’s Rules of Procedure


The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI), a local watchdog, said on May 12 that the refusal to allow former United National Movement MPs Khatia Dekanoidze and Roman Gotsiridze to register a political group violates the requirements of the Georgian Parliament’s Rules of Procedure and hinders the development and strengthening of parliamentary pluralism. …

Tags: , , , ,


Georgian Defense Minister: Liberalism Can Threaten Preservation of Georgia’s Sovereignty


Georgian Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze has expressed his support for the conservative vision of the Georgian Dream party and brushed away the criticism of Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili by the opposition and many Georgian partners. following his speech at CPAC in Budapest last week. In an interview with Imedi TV, Burchuladze assessed the participation of …

Tags: , ,


Opinion | What Goals Should we Set for the NATO Vilnius Summit?


The further enlargement of the NATO and the creation of sustainable security guarantees in Eastern Europe depend to a large extent on the outcome of the Russian-Ukrainian war, and the efforts of Ukraine, as the main actor in this process, will be aimed at a timely and successful end to the ongoing war. About the …

Tags: , ,


US State Department Spokesperson Does not Exclude Sanctioning Companies at Georgian Airports Following Lifting of Flight Ban by Russia


Asked at a briefing on 11 May about Russia’s lifting of visas and flight bans for Georgia, and whether “this could lead to Georgia circumventing sanctions [against Russia]”, Vedant Patel, Principal Deputy Spokesperson of the US State Department said: “Many western countries including the U.S. prohibit Russian aircraft from entering their airspace. If direct flights …

Tags: , ,


The Daily Beat: 11 May


The Georgian Dream severed ties with the Party of European Socialists (PES) family. This came after multiple indications from PES that it planned to exclude the Georgian ruling party, which held an observer status since 2008, especially after Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili attended the ultra-right gathering in Budapest. The ruling party chairman, Irakli Kobakhidze, claimed …

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,


“This is Positive and Welcome”-PM on Restoration of Visa-Free Travel and Flights to Russia


“From a humanitarian point of view.. anything and any decision that facilitates the life, movement and business of our citizens is, of course, positive and welcome,”- Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said on May 11, assessing Moscow’s decision to lift the visa regime with Georgia and restore direct flights. 10/05/2023 – Russia Abolishes Visa Regime and …

Tags: , , , ,

11/05/2023 - 21:06


U.S. Ambassador on Flights: Georgia doesn’t have to become dependent on Russia again


U.S. Ambassador Kelly Degnan responded to a question about Moscow’s decision to restore flights with Georgia and said that while it is not for the United States to say whether this will impact Georgia’s chances for the EU candidacy, “it does raise the question as to why Putin would give this to Georgia.” Amb. Degnan …

Tags: , , ,


Georgian Fighter Killed in Ukraine


The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed to Civil.ge on May 11 that another Georgian fighter was killed while fighting in Ukraine. The Ministry noted that the Georgian Embassy in Ukraine has been informed and is taking the necessary steps to repatriate the body to Georgia. According to media reports, the Georgian fighter was killed near …

Tags: , ,


U.S. Ambassador Backs IRI amid “outrageous lies by the ruling party and their media affiliates”


Speaking with journalists at the Center for Disease Control program graduation today, U.S. Ambassador Kelly Degnan made a statement regarding the accusations, which she called “outrageous lies” voiced yesterday against the International Republican Institute/IRI by Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, as well as other members of the ruling Georgian Dream. Kelly Degnan said: “I would like …

Tags: , ,


EU Urges Georgia to Align with Sanctions on Russia Amid Air Travel Ban Lift


At a press briefing held on May 11, Peter Stano, EU Lead Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy discussed the lifting of the air travel ban between Russia and Georgia. “We took note of the decision by the Russian authorities to lift the air travel ban with Georgia,” Stano said at the briefing. “However, …

Tags: , , ,


Georgian Citizen Detained by the Russian Occupying Force


According to State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG), on May 11 representatives of the Russian occupying forces illegally detained a Georgian citizen in the occupied area near the village of Mejvriskhevi, Gori municipality. Upon receiving information about the incident, the State Security Service activated the EU Monitoring Mission’s hotline. International partners and the Co-Chairs of the Geneva …

Tags: , , ,


GD Says it Departs PES Due to Ideological Differences


“We have made a decision to leave the status of observer member of the “Party of European Socialists” and other associations related to… [them] , in connection with which we will immediately send our written statement to the “Party of European Socialists”, – said Irakli Kobakhidze, chairman of the “Georgian Dream”, during a briefing following …

Tags: , , , ,


GD Chair Kobakhidze: We can’t and we won’t impose sanctions on Russia. Our position is clear.


On March 10 Georgian Dream Chair Irakli Kobakhidze gave an extensive interview to the pro-government TV Channel Imedi. He spoke about Russia’s decision to abolish visa regime with Georgia, about “radical” opposition, the traditional values and other issues. On Russia’s decision to abolish the visa regime with Georgia Kobakhidze said that ruling party’s position is …

Tags: , ,


The Daily Beat: 10 May


Russia lifted the visa regime for Georgian citizens and greenlighted the resumption of direct air flights with Georgia, Putin’s Decree No. 335 published by the Kremlin reads. From 15 May, Georgian citizens can enter and leave Russia without a visa for up to 90 days. Their visa-free travel will be logistically backed up by resumed …

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,


Politicians React to Moscow’s Decision to Abolish Visa Regime, Lift Ban on Air Flights


Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a decree that from May 15, 2023, citizens of Georgia will be able to enter and leave Russia without a visa for up to 90 days. In addition, the ban on Russian air flights to Georgia will also be lifted from May 15, 2023, according to another decree. Moscow’s …

Tags: , , ,

10/05/2023 - 20:51


Parliament Speaker Accuses International Organizations of Supporting “Fake organizations and Schemes”


Speaker of the Georgian Parliament Shalva Papuashvili attacked today the opposition parties and international organizations that support their development and called for audit services to “take interest” in the matter. In conversation with the journalists today, he said that “foreign money is being invested in Georgian politics through fake organizations and schemes. Recently, such schemes …

Tags: , ,


Georgian FM Welcomes Moscow’s Decision to Abolish Visa Regime, Lift Ban on Air Flights


Commenting on Moscow’s decision to abolish the visa regime and lift the ban on air flights with Georgia, Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili said that from a humanitarian point of view, this decision “is welcome for any responsible government.” He also noted that “more than one million Georgian citizens live in Russia” and have close …

Tags: , , ,


Chechen journalist tortured in Russia denied entry to Georgia


Zhalavdi Geriyev, a Chechen journalist who spent three years in prison in Russia after being tortured, has been denied entry to Georgia with no explanation, reported OC media, where Geriyev worked as a stringer. Geriyev arrived at Tbilisi Airport from Budapest on Saturday but was told he was not welcome in the country. He said …

Tags: ,


“Another Russian Provocation!” – President on Russia’s Abolition of Visa Regime to Georgia


Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has criticized Russia’s recent decision to resume direct flights and abolish visa restrictions with Georgia, calling it “another Russian provocation.” 10/05/2023 – Russia Abolishes Visa Regime and Lifts Ban on Airline Flights with Georgia Starting May 15, 2023 In a tweet, President Zurabishvili stated: “Resuming direct flights and lifting visa ban …

Tags: ,


Tbilisi City Court Partially Satisfies Defamation Claim Against “TV Pirveli”


On May 10, the non-governmental organization “Georgian Democracy Initiative” reported that Tbilisi City Court partially satisfied Davit Patsatsia’s claim against the TV company “TV Pirveli,” ordering the defendant to pay 15,000 GEL in moral damages. The organization notes, that Davit Patsatsia, the Minister of Internally Displaced Persons of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia and also …

Tags: , , ,


Russia Abolishes Visa Regime and Lifts Ban on Airline Flights with Georgia Starting May 15


The decree #335 signed today by Russian President Vladimir Putin, states that from May 15, 2023 citizens of Georgia will be able to enter and leave Russia without a visa for up to 90 days on the basis of valid identity documents, including for educational purposes, the document says. In addition, the ban on Russian …

Tags: ,


Central Bank Reduces Key Rate from 11% to 10.5%


On May 10, the Monetary Policy Committee of the National Bank of Georgia (NBG) reduced the key refinancing rate by 0.5 percentage points to 10.5%. The NBG cited a downward trajectory of inflation as the reason for the reduction, saying that “the decline in inflation is mainly driven by the reduced prices of imported products.” …

Tags: , ,


President Zurabishvili and President of the European Council Michel Address Georgians on Europe Day


On Europe day on 9 May, at an event organized by the President’s Administration, President Salome Zurabishvili addressed the public gathered in front of the Orbeliani Palace, and the Georgian nation. Her speech was preceded by a short pre-recorded address from the President of the European Council Charles Michel, who congratulated Georgians on Europe’s day. …

Tags: , , ,


The Daily Beat: 9 May


On May 9, Georgia modestly marked its contribution to the victory over Nazi Germany. According to established political tradition, the prime minister and other government officials congratulated a handful of remaining veterans. They laid a wreath at the monument to an Unknown Soldier at central Vake Park in Tbilisi. After greeting the veterans, Irakli Garbashvili …

Tags: , , , , ,


PM Slams Opposition, Speaks of Traditional Values


Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili congratulated war veterans on the May 9 – Victory Day over Nazi Germany and then answered journalists’ questions, not missing the chance to once again slam the “unsuccessful” and “bankrupt” opposition and speak of traditional values. “Bankrupt, unsuccessful” opposition tries to overshadow “scandal” around David Kezerashvili Speaking to journalists, PM …

Tags: , , ,

09/05/2023 - 17:22


Interview | EU Ambassador Pawel Herczyński 


Georgia celebrates European days with events, roundtables, public lectures, concerts, and other events. The relations between Georgia and the European Union have acquired a special significance and focus recently, as Georgia’s European Union membership aspirations were accepted last year. In a rare and powerful demonstration of unity, Georgians took to the streets in March against …


The Daily Beat: 8 May


Parents of children diagnosed with achondroplasia (a genetic disorder whose primary feature is dwarfism) ended their 19-day, round-the-clock protest in front of the prime minister’s office. The decision came after health authorities promised to involve the parents in securing appropriate medication for their children. For almost three weeks, the parents demanded the state approve Vosoritide, …

Tags: , , , , , , , ,


Court of Appeals Increases Sentence of Two Convicted in July 5 Case


The Tbilisi Court of Appeal increased the sentences of Giorgi Maghradze and Giorgi Tsaruashvili from 1 year and 3 months to 3 years on May 8. The individuals were convicted of violence against Ilia Tvaliashvili, a cameraman for the “Public Broadcaster of Georgia,” during the homophobic violence against the “March for Dignity,” held in support …

Tags: , , , ,

08/05/2023 - 20:43


GYLA Criticizes Georgian Dream’s Initiative to Change CEC Staffing Rules


The non-governmental organization Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) has responded to a legislative initiative introduced by MPs from the ruling party Georgian Dream on May 8. The initiative proposes that the chairman and seven members of Georgia’s Central Election Commission (CEC) be elected by Parliament instead of the President, on the nomination of the Speaker …

Tags: , , , , ,


Audience Research Indicates Conspiracy Theories Find Traction Among Georgian Population


The USAID Information Integrity program in collaboration with CRRC published today the results of the Audience Research conducted in Georgia and commissioned by Zinc Network. CRRC conducted 2.757 face-to-face interviews in three languages: Georgian, Armenian and Azerbaijani, in the period from January 11 to February 8, 2023 all over Georgia, excluding the occupied territories, with …


PM: I believe that Georgia will enter Europe with its own traditions


”I believe that Georgia will become a full member of the big European family and Georgia will enter Europe with its own traditions,” Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said at the event marking Europe Day on May 6. Representatives of the legislative and executive authorities, as well as foreign diplomats attended the event. The Prime Minister …

Tags: , ,

06/05/2023 - 17:33


State Security Service Arrests Foreign Citizen on Terrorism Charges


The State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG) announced on 6th May that as a result of operations carried out with the participation of the competent bodies involved in the national counter-terrorism system, the activities planned by the terrorist organization “Islamic State” on the territory of various foreign countries were uncovered and a foreign citizen was …

Tags: , ,


Robin Wagener: the European future of this region is important to us


Robin Wagener, member of the German Bundestag, became the Federal Foreign Office’s coordinator for inter-societal co-operation with the South Caucasus, the Republic of Moldova and Central Asia on March 1, 2023. In conversation with Dr. Sonja Schiffers, the Director of the regional office of the Heinrich Boell Foundation in the South Caucasus, he said that …

Tags: ,


Parents of Children Diagnosed with Achondroplasia End Round-the-Clock Protests


After 19 days of protests near the government administration building parents of children diagnosed with achondroplasia announced of the ending of the protests. The parents had been demanding that the government import and fund the drug ‘Vosoritide’ for their children, which is currently the only existing drug for the condition. The decision came after the …

Tags: , ,


The Daily Beat: 5 May


Chair of the parliament’s foreign affairs committee from the ruling Georgian Dream party, Nikoloz Samkharadze, said the Georgian Dream may pull out of the European socialists’ political family (PES) in response to the PES’s condemnation of prime minister Garibashvili’s participation in ultra-conservative CPAC gathering. Samkharadze said it is incomprehensible PES would condemn the Georgian prime …

Tags: , , , , ,


Georgian Citizen Charged with Spying in Abkhazia Sentenced to 10.5 years in Prison


The “Supreme Court” of occupied Abkhazia has sentenced Kristine Takalandze, a Georgian citizen from the village of Nabakevi in the ethnic Georgian majority district of Gali, who was arrested on charges of spying, to 10 years and 6 months in prison, Apsnypress news agency reported.   Kristine Takalandze was arrested in occupied Abkhazia on July …

Tags: , , ,

05/05/2023 - 18:42


Young Activists Detained for Protesting Russian Land Grab in Abkhazia


The police in Sokhumi, occupied Abkhazia, detained six women and two men in their twenties for “petty hooliganism,” after they hung protest banners in several public places. The activists who reportedly belong to “Hara H-Pitsunda” (Our Pitsunda) youth movement say the banners, featuring patriotic quotes from Abkhaz writers and politicians, were reportedly intended to draw …

Tags: ,


The Daily Beat: 4 May


Prime Minister Irakli Garibshvili is in Budapest, where he addressed the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), warning against forces that seek to undermine traditional values and control people by promoting “LGBTQ+ propaganda” and “gender-affirming procedures for children.” In his speech, Irakli Garibashvili pledged to weaponize Christian family values against false freedoms and protect the …

Tags: , , , , , , , ,


EU Adopts €30 Million Assistance for Georgia’s Defense Sector Enhancement


The Council of the European Union has announced the adoption of a €30 million assistance measure for Georgia under the European Peace Facility (EPF). This measure is aimed at providing support to the Georgian Defence Forces in enhancing their national security, stability, and resilience within the defense sector. Within the adopted assistance measures by the …

Tags: ,

04/05/2023 - 19:59


Georgian Watchdogs Call for Triggering Response Procedure in Open Government Partnership


A number of authoritative Georgian civil society organizations addressed the Open Government Partnership Steering Committee with a letter underlying the necessity to safeguard Georgian democracy, civic space, and free media and urging the Steering Committee to start the Response Policy Procedures, effectively re-evaluating the government’s commitments to the principles of open governance. The Response Policy …

Tags: , ,


ZOIS Study Explores Attitudes of Russian Migrants in South Caucasus


On May 3, the Center for East European and International Studies (ZOIS) released a study titled “Russians in the South Caucasus: Political Attitudes and the War in Ukraine”, one of the findings being that Russians living in Georgia much less likely to have had participated in political activities (including protesting the war in Ukraine) while …

Tags: , , ,


Georgian Prime Minister Advocates for Conservatism and Slams “False” Values at CPAC


Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili addressed the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Budapest, expressing his gratitude to his “dear friend, Prime Minister Orbán” and lauding him as “a wise and visionary national leader.” He praised Hungary’s defense of its national interests and fundamental values, calling Orbán “truly an exemplary politician (ruler), fighter and striving …

Tags: ,


May 4-5 CPAC Speakers’ Position on Russia and on War in Ukraine


Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvilil addressed the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Budapest, which gathers ultra-conservative politicians. Launched in 1974, the Conservative Political Action Conference is the largest and most influential gathering of conservatives that brings together activists and politicians in the U.S. For the second time this year, the conference takes place in …

Tags: , ,


Page 30 of 759

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)

Back to top button