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State Minister Khaindrava Visits Moscow
Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Giorgi Khaindrava left for Moscow on Monday to participate in talks over the South Ossetian conflict resolution in frames of the quadripartite Joint Control Commission (JCC). The JCC session in Moscow, which is scheduled for December 27-28, is expected to discuss South Ossetian leader Eduard Kokoity?s recent initiatives, …
26/12/2005 - 11:54
Georgian Orthodox Church Slams Ombudsman
Bishop Zenon of Dmanisi, an influential Orthodox official, criticized Georgian Ombudsman Sozar Subari for his recent statement in the Parliament, according to which the Concordat signed between the Orthodox Church and the Georgian State in 2002 violates principle of equality recognized by the Georgian constitution and the international conventions. ?This is an unserious statement. Besides …
25/12/2005 - 20:48
New Cargo Train Route Links Georgia and Kazakhstan
The first cargo train left Georgia?s port of Poti on December 24, which will deliver cargo to Kazakhstan?s port of Aktau and further to Alma-Aty. According to the Georgian Railway Department, the train will perform regular trips ? twice a month. The operation of the Poti-Baku-Aktau-Alma-Aty route will increase the competitiveness of the TRACECA route, …
Georgia, Turkey Simplify Visa Rules
Amendments to the visa agreement between Georgia and Turkey, envisaging simplification of visa rules between the two countries will be enforced starting from 2006, the Georgian Foreign Ministry reported. According to these amendments citizens of both countries may enter to, pass in transit through and stay on, the territory of the other country within 90 …
24/12/2005 - 14:30
JCC to Discuss Kokoity’s Peace Proposals
Russian chief negotiator for the South Ossetian conflict Valery Kenyaikin said in an interview with news agency RIA Novosti on December 23 that the recent peace proposals made by South Ossetian leader Eduard Kokoity will be discussed at the session of the quadripartite Joint Control Commission (JCC) scheduled for December 27-28 in Moscow. “One of …
Ombudsman Criticized for Stance on Church, Being ‘too Soft’
Parliamentarians from the New Rights opposition faction, as well as several lawmakers from the parliamentary majority walked out the session on December 23 to protest against the portion of the Public Defender’s report which deals with the religious freedom in the country. Public Defender Sozar Subari presented to the Parliament on Friday report on human …
23/12/2005 - 17:45
MoD Sets up Commission in Charge of Arms Control
The Georgian Ministry of Defense has set up a commission which will be in charge of arms control, export, import and transit of arms. So far these functions were under the competence of the National Security Council. The new commission consists of eight members and all of them are the senior officials of the Defence …
UN Official Visits Sokhumi, Discusses Situation in Gali
Abkhaz leader Sergey Bagapsh reiterated at the meeting with Walter Kalin, Representative of the UN Secretary-General on the human rights of Internally Displaced Persons, in Sokhumi on December 22, that the Abkhaz side still deems it inappropriate to open UN/OSCE human rights office in the predominantly Georgian-populated Gali district of breakaway region, Apsnipress news agency …
Parliament Endorses 2006 Draft Budget
Parliament approved 2006 draft budget with a 162 to 20 vote on December 23. Revenues for the 2006 fiscal year are at GEL 3 068 600 000 (approximately USD 1.7 billion) and expenditures at GEL 3 285 400 000 (approximately USD 1.8 billion). Although opposition parliamentarians hailed increased budgetary targets for 2006, they criticized draft budget …
Opposition Slams 2006 Draft Budget as Non-Transparent
Parliament approved 2006 draft budget with a 162 to 20 vote in its first hearing on December 23.Although opposition parliamentarians hailed increased budgetary targets for 2006, they criticized draft budget as non-transparent, which enables the government to carry out uncontrolled spending of about GEL 500 million. The Parliament held hearing on December 22 on revised …
MPs Approve Amendments to Election Code
The Georgian Parliament approved with a 136 to 11 vote the amendments to the election code, related to the new rule of electing Tbilisi City Council (Sakrebulo), with its third, final hearing on December 23. The amendments envisage the election of the 25 members of the 37-member City Council through a first-past-the-post, ?winner takes all? system. …
Bezhuashvili, Aliyev Discuss Bilateral Relations
Visiting Georgian Foreign Minister Gela Bezhuashvili held talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Baku on December 22 and discussed bilateral relations. According to the Georgian Foreign Ministry, the sides focused on the existing positive tendencies between the two countries and the prospects for further reinforcement of bilateral relations. Within the frames of this visit …
Romanian President Pays Surprise Visit to Georgia
Romanian President Traian Basescu made a surprise stop in Tbilisi on his way back from Afghanistan on December 22, the Georgian President?s press office reported. President Basescu who stayed in Tbilisi for couple of hours held talks with his Georgian counterpart Mikheil Saakashvili. No other details of the visit are reported. President Basescu has already …
22/12/2005 - 23:52
Putin, Saakashvili Hold Phone Talks
President Saakashvili held phone talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on December 22, both the Georgian and Russian President?s press offices reported. According to the Russian President?s press office, the phone conversation was held under the initiative of President Saakashvili. The two Presidents discussed economic cooperation between Georgia and Russia, the Georgian President?s press …
New Justice Minister, Prison System Chief Appointed
New Justice Minister Kavtaradze says continuation of reforms will be his top priority. President Saakashvili announced on December 22 that he dismissed Justice Minister Kote Kemularia and chief of the penitentiary system Shota Kopadze. Saakashvili also said, while speaking at the session of the National Security Council, that Chairman of the Central Election Commission Gia Kavtaradze …
Justice Minister Sacked
President Saakashvili announced on December 22 that he has dismissed Justice Minister Kote Kemularia and chief of the penitentiary system Shota Kopadze. Saakashvili also said, while speaking at the session of the National Security Council, that Chairman of the Central Election Commission Gia Kavtaradze will replace Kemularia on the Justice Minister?s position. Kemularia will be …
Survey: Saakashvili, National Movement Unchallenged
Although President Saakashvili and his ruling National Movement party have lost significant portion of electorate, both remain unchallenged candidates in case of presidential and parliamentary elections, the Tbilisi-based Georgian Opinion Research Business International (GORBI) said in its annual public opinion survey on December 22. According to the GORBI, Mikheil Saakashvili will garner 60% of votes in …
Tags: Salome Zurabishvili
Separatist Leaders Meet in Moscow
Leaders of breakaway regions of Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transdnestria – Sergey Bagapsh, Eduard Kokoity and Igor Smirnov, respectively, held a working meeting in Moscow on December 20, the South Ossetian Press and Information Committee reported on Thursday. According to this report, secessionist leaders discussed recent developments in their respective regions and agreed to hold …
Georgian Foreign Minister Discusses Border Delimitation in Baku
Visiting Georgian Foreign Minister Gela Bezhuashvili held talks with his Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mamedyarov in Baku on December 22 and discussed border delimitation issues. According to the Georgian Foreign Ministry the two ministers decided to hold a meeting of the state commissions at the level of Deputy Foreign Ministers in Tbilisi in January in an …
PM Comments on Relocation of Military Hospital to Gori
Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli said at the parliamentary session on December 22 that the decision of the Ministry of Defense to relocate its military hospital from Tbilisi to Gori ?is more an investment measure, rather than military? move. Some opposition parliamentarians, including Davit Gamkrelidze from the New Rights party, expressed concern on December 22 that …
PM: Selling of Gas Pipelines not on Agenda
Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli said while speaking at the parliamentary session on December 22 that the Russian energy giant Gazprom is interested in purchasing Georgia?s major gas pipeline network. ?But this is not currently on the agenda and [the issue] still needs to be discussed and if we find it appropriate we will take …
Media Speculates on Possible Cabinet Reshuffle
The Georgian media sources have again started speculations about possible cabinet reshuffle. Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli declined to comment these speculations on December 22. According to these reports Education Minister Kakha Lomaia will become Prime Minister, replacing Zurab Nogaideli, who will take the position of Finance Minister. Justice Minister Kote Kemularia will become Secretary of …
EU Grants Preferences to Georgia
The European Commission (EC) granted on December 21 important preferences, including duty and quota free access, to an additional 15 vulnerable developing countries, including Georgia, that have implemented sustainable development and good governance policies, the European Commission reported. In order to receive these preferences, countries must have ratified and implemented key international conventions relating to …
Tbilisi, Moscow at Odds over Soldiers’ Visa Row
Russian Foreign Ministry protested on December 21 against, as it described, “illegal activities” carried out by the Georgian side against the Russian servicemen deployed in Georgia. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry’s information note three Russian servicemen from the Tbilisi-based Headquarters of the Russian Troops in the Trans Caucasus (GRVZ) were detained by the Georgian …
Foreign, Energy Ministers Visit Baku
Georgian Foreign Minister Gela Bezhuashvili and Energy Minister Nika Gilauri left for Azerbaijani capital Baku on a one-day working visit on December 22. ?We will discuss those issues which need to be agreed between the sides, such as simplification of border crossing,? Bezhuashvili told reporters before departure. Georgian Energy Minister Nika Gilauri said that the …
Ombudsman Faces Tough Parliamentary Hearing
Georgian Public Defender Sozar Subari will present at the parliamentary session on December 22 his report about the human rights situation in the country. At the preliminary hearings held with the parliamentary factions, the report has already been criticized by opposition lawmakers as ?an inadequate assessment? of the situation. During the meeting with members from …
Georgian MFA Protests Shootout in Abkhaz Conflict Zone
The Georgian Foreign Ministry expressed protest regarding the recent incident when unknown attackers opened fire in the direction of a Georgian village of Orsantia in the Zugdidi region, and urged the UN Observers Mission in Georgia to take respective measures in order to explore the ongoing developments in the Gali district. According to the Georgian …
21/12/2005 - 18:54
Prison Riot Reported in Kutaisi
Prison inmates staged a riot on December 21 in the western Georgian town of Kutaisi protesting against lack of heat and water, the Georgian media sources reported. Flames coming from several cells of the newly built prison were visible in the Georgian television footages. Deputy Justice Minister Givi Mikanadze told reporters on December 21 that …
Georgian Agriculture Minister to Visit Moscow
Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli instructed Minister of Agriculture Mikheil Svimonishvili to visit Moscow and clarify the situation with imposing temporary restrictions on import of agricultural products from Georgia to Russia. ?We receive conflicting reports over imposing these restrictions. According to some information these restrictions are enforced, but there has not been a single case …
UN Envoy for IDPs Rights Visits Georgia
Walter Kalin, Representative of the UN Secretary-General on the human rights of Internally Displaced Persons, will pay visit to Georgia on December 21-24. During the visit Walter Kalin will assess the extent to which the protection needs of the internally displaced are being met. Georgia has roughly 300,000 internally displaced persons both from Abkhazia and …
Putin: Constructive Dialogue to Help Improve Relations
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed hope that the Russian-Georgian relationship would improve due to a constructive dialogue between the two countries. ?I am sure that a constructive dialogue over entire spectrum of Russian-Georgian cooperation will promote the improvement of relations between Russia and Georgia and serve the interests of the two peoples, as well as …
JCC to Meet in Moscow
A session of the quadripartite Joint Control Commission (JCC) will be held in Russian capital Moscow on December 27-28, the press office of the Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues reported on December 21. The quadripartite JCC involves negotiators from the Georgian, South Ossetian, Russian and Russia?s North Ossetian sides. According to the State Minister?s …
Shootout Reported in Abkhaz Conflict Zone
Georgian media sources reported on December 21 that early this morning unknown attackers opened fire in the direction of a Georgian village of Orsantia in the Zugdidi region, which borders breakaway Abkhazia. Reportedly, two attackers were wounded as a result of response fire from the Georgian side. But Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues denied reports …
PM Downplays Russia’s Ban on Georgian Agricultural Products
Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli said on December 20 that Georgia has not yet faces restriction of export of its agricultural products to Russia. The Russian Ministry of Agriculture said on December 19 that it has imposed temporary restrictions on import of agricultural products from Georgia, citing “phytosanitary concerns” and violation of “international and Russian …
20/12/2005 - 21:19
Kokoity’s Proposal Triggers Cautious Optimism in Tbilisi
Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli and lawmakers expressed “cautious optimism” at the parliamentary hearing on December 20 over the South Ossetian conflict resolution after, as they put it, “positive signs” have emerged following the proposal unveiled by the South Ossetian leader Eduard Kokoity on December 12.PM Nogaideli presented at the parliamentary session on Tuesday Tbilisi’s …
Georgia, Gazprom Fail to Agree on Gas Transit Fees
Although an agreement has been reached over the gas price for Georgia, issues related with purchase of shares in Georgia?s gas pipeline system, as well as tariffs for transit of Russian gas into Armenia via Georgia remain unsolved, the Russian energy giant Gazprom?s top executive Alexander Ryazanov said after two-hour talks with Georgian PM Zurab …
Gazprom Executive Visits Georgia
Alexander Ryazanov, Deputy Chairman of the Russian energy giant Gazprom, who visits Georgia, holds talks with Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli on December 20. Although Alexander Ryazanov refrained from making any comment upon his arrival, it is most likely that the issues related with gas supply and tariff will be discussed during the talks in …
Ground-Breaking Training Courses for Georgian, Ossetian Journalists
A group of Georgian and Ossetian journalists traveled to London and Belfast as a part of the professional conflict reporting training course on December 12-18. This was a third part of the intensive, ground-breaking conflict reporting training courses run by the UK-based media consultancy Thompson Foundation with the support of the OSCE Mission in Georgia and …
Russian Servicemen Detained in Tbilisi
Georgian military police detained Russian officers in Tbilisi on December 19, Russian media reported. The Georgian Defense Ministry has confirmed the report, but refrained from specifying the reasons of the detention. Russian news agency Itar-Tass reported on December 19 that the Russian servicemen were detained for alleged violation of visa rules. This post is also …
Russia Restricts Import of Agricultural Products from Georgia
The Russian Ministry of Agriculture imposed temporary restrictions on import of agricultural products from Georgia to Russia starting from December 19, the Russian Ministry?s press office reported. The Russian side cited its decision by ?phytosanitary concerns? and violation of ?international and Russian sanitary requirements? by Georgia. According to the Russian Ministry of Agriculture, the temporary restrictions …
PM to Address Parliament on S.Ossetia Conflict
Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli will submit a detailed roadmap for implementation of Tbilisi?s peace plan over South Ossetia at a special session of the Parliament on December 20. Tbilisi?s peace plan, which was supported by the OSCE Ministerial Council in Ljubljana on December 6, envisages three-stage resolution of the conflict by the end of …
Ukrainian Security Council Chief Postpones Visit to Georgia
The visit of Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Anatoly Kinakh to Georgia scheduled for December 19-21 was postponed for an unspecified time. According to the Georgian National Security Council, Anatoly Kinakh postponed his visit due to urgent tasks in Ukraine. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
19/12/2005 - 18:21
OSCE Leads Crime Investigation Course in Police Academy
Twenty Georgian crime police instructors completed Monday the advanced crime investigation course at the Tbilisi Police Academy, which was a joint effort of the OSCE Missions to Georgia and Kosovo, OSCE Mission reported on December 19. Within the framework of the OSCE Short-Term Assistance Programme, Georgian police instructors received training in human rights issues and …
Opposition Leader Calls on Saakashvili to Release Journalist
Leader of the Conservative party Koba Davitashvili called on President Saakashvili to release co-founder and anchor of the 202 TV Shalva Ramishvili and his partner Davit Kokhreidze from custody, claiming that a term of their three-month pretrial detention has already expired. ?I would like to ask the President to discuss the issue of releasing these …
Presidential Couple Celebrates Birth of Second Son
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili and his Dutch wife Sandra Roelofs are celebrating the birth of their second son on December 19. The Georgian President told reporters soon after the childbirth that the newborn will be named Nikoloz. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
Russia Rotates Peacekeepers in Abkhazia
Russia rotated its troops stationed in the Abkhaz conflict zone under the aegis of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) on December 19, Itar-Tass news agency reported. A Samara peacekeeping battalion, including over 500 servicemen from the 15th motorized infantry brigade, arrived in Abkhazia on Sunday. The peacekeeping battalion, which passed a brief course of lectures …
Putin Hails Decision over Railway Resumption
Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed the decision of the Russian-Georgian intergovernmental commission over resumption of the railway connection via breakaway Abkhazia, news agency Interfax reported on December 17. ?This is a very good project, which will certainly benefit the economies of both Georgia and Russia, as well as contribute to the region?s economic development,? Interfax …
Ukrainian Security Council Chief Visits Georgia
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Anatoly Kinakh will arrive in Georgia on a three-day working visit on December 19. According to the Georgian National Security Council, Anatoly Kinakh will hold talks with Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze, Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli, Foreign and Interior Ministers Gela Bezhuashvili and Vano Merabishvili and …
Russia, Georgia to Set up Consortium on Railway Resumption
Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli and Russian Transport Minister Igor Levitin, who chair the Russian-Georgian intergovernmental commission for economic cooperation, signed a final protocol on December 16, which envisages setting up a joint consortium on restoration of the Russian-Georgian railway via breakaway Abkhazia. The decision over setting up a consortium was made at the session …
17/12/2005 - 18:18
MPs Support Increase in 2005 State Budget
The Parliamentary Committee for Finance and Budget supported on December 17 the government-proposed amendments envisaging the increase in the 2005 state budget. According to the draft amendments developed by the Finance Ministry, both revenues and expenditures of the 2005 state budget will increase by GEL 56 million and amount to GEL 2,8 billion. The energy, …
Page 551 of 764
This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)