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Sozar Subeliani to be Nominated as Ombudsman
President Mikheil Saakashvili said during the meeting with NGO leaders on July 6 that he will propose that human rights activist and journalist Sozar Subeliani as Georgia’s new Public Defender (Ombudsman). Sozar Subeliani currently leads the human rights Liberty Institute’s “Rule of Law” direction, and is a long-time journalist with Radio Liberty. MP Elene Tevdoradze, the chairperson of the …
06/07/2004 - 18:49
Saakashvili Criticizes Police for Violent Break up of Rally
During his meeting with NGO leaders, Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili slammed the Interior Ministry over an ?excessive use of force? employed during the break up of a protest rally in Tbilisi on July 1. On July 1, Tbilisi riot police dispersed a group of protesters in front of the Tbilisi Municipality who were demanding that the governement make good on …
President Meets with NGO Leaders
President Mikheil Saakashvili met representatives from various Georgian civil society organizations on July 6, before his departure to Iran, and expressed a readiness to boost cooperation between his government and the non-governmental organizations. “We are ready for cooperation. Currently many members of the government are former NGO leaders and this is a positive trend. But …
President Meets with NGO Leaders
President Mikheil Saakashvili met representatives from various Georgian civil society organizations on July 6, before his departure to Iran, and expressed a readiness to boost cooperation between his government and the non-governmental organizations. ?We are ready for cooperation. Currently many members of the government are former NGO leaders and this is a positive trend. But on the other hand …
UK Foreign Office Minister Visits Georgia
British Foreign Office Minister Bill Rammell MP visited Georgia on July 5-6 in order to discuss bilateral ties with the Georgian leadership. ?The United Kingdom has close ties with Georgia. Our Special Representative, Sir Brian Fall, works closely with the Georgian Government, particularly in encouraging the settlement of conflicts within its borders,? Bill Rammell noted during the visit, …
Georgian-language News Launched on Tskhinvali TV
A Georgian-language news program was launched at the local Ossetian television station in the capital of the breakaway republic of South Ossetia, Tskhinvali, on July 4. The Georgian-language program, run by local Ossetian journalists, will be broadcast weekly. On June 7 a Georgian state radio station started airing a two-hour daily program in the Ossetian language, for the Ossetian-speaking …
Saakashvili Visits Iran
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili will pay an official visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran on July 6-9. The Georgian President will meet with his Iranian counterpart Seyed Mohammad Khatami, Prime Minister and other officials. The issues of bilateral cooperation and the further boosting of economic ties between the two nations will be discussed during …
Opposition Criticizes Proposal of Anti-Terrorism Center
The Rightist Opposition coalition, which is the only opposition faction in the Georgian Parliament, criticized, on July 5, the Georgian government?s proposal to set up a joint, Russian-Georgian, anti-terrorism center in Georgia. ?Creation of an anti-terrorism center would legalize a Russian military presence in Georgia and further hinder Georgia?s accession into NATO,? MP Davit Gamkrelidze, the …
EU Commissioner Visits Georgia
Janez Potocnik, the European Union Commissioner who together with Commissioner G?nter Verheugen is in charge of European enlargement, will be in Georgia on July 5-6. The Commissioner will discuss details of the EU?s Neighborhood Policy with the Georgian leadership. EU foreign ministers, who met in Luxemburg on June 14, decided to include the South Caucasus countries …
05/07/2004 - 20:22
Saakashvili Hopes to Bring Abkhazia Back in 3 Years
President Saakashvili said on July 5 that Georgia will be ?ready to bring Abkhazia back into its fold in two or three years.? ?We have no illusions and we know that Georgia is not ready yet to bring back Abkhazia. But we can make it happen after two or three more years,? President Saakashvili told reporters after the signing …
Saakashvili Signs Document on Adjara’s Constitutional Powers
President Saakashvili signed a document on July 5 regarding the distribution of power between the central authorities of Georgia and the Adjara Autonomous Republic. “The adoption of this document by the Parliament is of vital importance for Adjara’s future development. It will root out any separatist attempts in the region,” President Saakashvili said after signing the document. President Saakashvili reiterated that …
Georgia Prepares for Privatization of Ports, Airports
Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania told reporters on July 5 that the government is working over procedural issues in regards to the privatization of airports and of the ports in Batumi and Poti. ?Privatization of these facilities is a very complicated process. Debts are accumulated artificially in these facilities [ports and airports], also some legal procedural issues need …
Georgia Launches Privatization of Hotels in Adjara
On July 5 Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania and Economy Minister Kakha Bendukidze presented a list of state-owned hotels in the autonomous Republic of Adjara which will be privatized. ?Those who pay the most will receive these hotels,? Economy Minister Kakha Bendukidze said at the presentation, which took place in the Adjarian capital of Batumi. ?We are interested …
Burjanadze Attends OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
Georgian Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze left for Edinburgh, Scotland on July 3 in order to participate in the 13th annual OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Session being held on July 5-9. Security issues and the boosting of parliamentary ties between OSCE member states will be discussed during the session. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
Ex-Adjarian Leader Faces Criminal Charges
The General Prosecutor?s Office will bring criminal charges against ex-leader of the Adjara Autonomous Republic Aslan Abashidze, Georgian Deputy Prosecutor General Giorgi Janashia said at a news briefing on July 5.?The investigation has all the grounds to bring criminal charges against Aslan Abashidze. He will be charged with misuse of power and misappropriation of state …
PACE Monitoring Delegation Visits Georgia
A delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe (PACE), led by Matyas Eorsi and Evgeni Kirilov, arrived in Georgia on July 5 for a fact-finding mission and to monitor the current situation in the country. The delegation, which monitors implementation of the commitments undertaken by the Georgian authorities to join the Council of Europe (CoE) in 1999, will …
Georgian President Hails “Warm Talks” with Putin
Saakashvili: Russian Bases will Go Much Sooner Than Many Think Two Presidents agreed to simplify visa requirements during their second meeting in Moscow. Photo: Kremlin.ru The easing of visa requirements for Georgian and Russian citizens was the only concrete agreement reached during talks between Mikhail Saakashvili and Vladimir Putin in Moscow on July 3. But …
Georgia, UK Hold Joint Maneuvers
British officers and soldiers from the rifle volunteers will make up a company sized-group that will hold joint military exercises with Georgian servicemen from the 11th brigade at the Vaziani military base, near Tbilisi, on July 4-17. These joint military exercises, dubbed ‘Georgian Express ? 2004’, include bilateral infantry training. This post is also available in: ქართული …
Georgia Protests the Defacing of a Fresco in Israel
Fresco of Shota Rustaveli after damage. Photo provided by the Georgian Foreign Ministry The Georgian Foreign Ministry described the damage done to a Georgian fresco in the monastery of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem as “an act of vandalism” One of the monastery’s pillars bears a portrait which is believed to be the Georgian poet of XII-XIII …
04/07/2004 - 16:37
Georgia, Russia to Ease Visa Requirements
The Georgian and Russian Presidents agreed during their meeting in Moscow on July 3 to simplify visa requirements between the two countries, Secretary of the Georgian National Security Council Gela Bezhuashvil told reporters. Mikheil Saakashvili said prior to meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin that Georgia will unilaterally ease visa requirements for Russian citizens and …
Georgian Security Officials Released in South Ossetia
On July 3, authorities in the self-style South Ossetian Republic released three Georgian security officials. The report came from Russian media sources who reported quoting spokesperson for the South Ossetian de facto government Irina Gagloyeva speaking on these matters. The three employees from the Georgian Security Ministry have been held since their arrest in South Ossetia on June …
03/07/2004 - 19:54
Saakashvili Attends Informal CIS Summit
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili attended an informal summit of the leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in Moscow on July 3. It is expected that Saakashvili will meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin later on July 3. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
Tax on Tobacco Increased
As a result of an amendment made to the Georgia’s tax code in January 2004, the excise rate on tobacco products increased from 0.2% to 0.25% starting on July 1. After July 1, according to the Finance Ministry, both imported and domestically produced tobacco products will be taxed the 20% value added tax (VAT). The new taxation has already resulted …
EC Grants ?4.65 Million to Reinforce Rule of Law in Georgia
The European Commission (EC) decided, on July 2, to make ?4.65 million available under its Rapid Reaction Mechanism (RRM) for measures to reinforce the rule of law and democratic processes in Georgia. According to a news release issued by the EC on July 2, the Commission will allocate funds towards policy and institutional reform in four …
Human Rights Group Concerned over Violent Break up of Rally
The human rights advocacy NGO Liberty Institute and youth movement Kmara (Enough) expressed their disproval, on July 2, of the violent break up of a protest rally in Tbilisi by riot police, which resulted in the beating of several protesters. On July 1,Tbilisi riot police dispersed a group of protesters in front of the Tbilisi Municipality who were demanding compensation promised by …
Saakashvili: NATO, U.S. Troops will not be Deployed in Georgia
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili reiterated on July 2 on the eve of the talks with his Russia counterpart Vladimir Putin, that Georgia will host neither NATO, nor U.S. troops on its soil. ?NATO troops, including those of the United States will not be deployed on the Georgian territory,? Mikheil Saakashvili said at a news briefing …
02/07/2004 - 19:32
Georgia Threatens to Confiscate Moscow’s Mayor’s Assets in Georgia
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili threatened to confiscate assets held by the Mayor of Moscow Yuri Luzhkov within the Georgian regions of Adjara and breakaway Abkhazia. He said at the news briefing in Moscow on July 2 that Yuri Luzhkov purchased several sanatoriums in breakaway Abkhazia. Recently, the Russian media reported that an agreement has been reached between the visiting Prime Minister of …
Saakashvili Rules out Use of Force in South Ossetia
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, during his visit to Russia, told reporters in Moscow on July 2 that he is ready to grant wider autonomous status to breakaway South Ossetia. ?Even much wider than Russia?s North Ossetia has,? Mikheil Saakashvili added. He ruled out the use of force in resolving the conflict and expressed readiness for political dialogue. ?If we …
South Ossetia, Military Bases to Top Saakashvili-Putin Talks
Saakashvili, Putin will meet for second time. Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili headed for Moscow on July 2, following an exchange of strong-worded statements by the Russian and Georgian Foreign Ministries over the situation in Georgia’s breakaway South Ossetia.Mikheil Saakashvili will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on July 3 to discuss, as Georgian Secretary of the …
Saakashvili to Push Proposal on Joint Anti-Terrorism Center
During his visit to Moscow on July 2 Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili told reporters that during his talks with Vladamir Putin on July 3 he plans push the idea of setting up a joint Russian-Georgian anti-terrorist center in Georgia. Georgia has recently proposed the idea of the center to Russia in exchange for the withdrawal of Russia?s two military bases from Georgia. …
Georgia Simplifies Visa Process for Russian Citizens
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili told reporters in Moscow on July 2 that Georgia will introduce simplified visa requirements for Russian citizens starting ?in the upcoming days.? ?During my meeting with [Russian President Vladimir] Putin in February, we agreeded that the visa regime would be simplified. But unfortunately no breakthrough has been made since than,? Mikheil Saakashvili said at a news briefing …
PACE Secretary General Visits Georgia
Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Bruno Haller arrived in Tbilisi on July 2 for an official visit.The current state of affairs in Georgia will dominate the converstions between Mr. Haller and Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania, Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili and the heads of the parliamentary factions and committees. This post is also …
Moscow Accuses Tbilisi of Hindering South Ossetian Talks
In a statement issued on July 1 the Russian Foreign Ministry accused the Georgian side of impeding sessions of the quadripartite Joint Control Commission (JCC), which are being held to defuse tensions in the South Ossetian conflict zone. The Georgian side refused to participate in the scheduled session of the JCC in Moscow on June 30-July …
Saakashvili Visits Moscow
Georgian President Saakashvili left for Moscow on July 2 to hold talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Along with other issues, situation in Georgia?s breakaway South Ossetia will be discussed. It is also anticipated that the two Presidents will discuss issue of finalizing of the framework agreement between the two countries, which will supposedly …
Georgia Slams Russian Diplomat
The Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili, on July 1, criticized Russian Foreign Ministry special ambassador Mikhail Maiorov, who is the Russian representative to the Joint Control Commission(JCC) for South Ossetian conflict resolution, and announced that Tbilisi will boycott the sessions and will not engage in any negatiations if Ambassador Mikheil Maiorov remains Russia’s envoy.The Georgian authorities’ protests were triggered by the Russian diplomat?s evasiveness to …
01/07/2004 - 20:43
Law on Adjara’s Constitutional Powers Approved
At the third, and final, hearing on a law on July 1 the Parliament approved, by a 174 to 12 a draft law over Adjara’s constitutional powers Along with distribution of powers between the Georgian central authorities and the Adjara Autonomous Republic, the law will define the structure of the region’s local government bodies. Representatives from the New Rights opposition …
OSCE Extends Border Monitoring Mission in Georgia
The Permanent Council of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) decided on June 29 to prolong its border monitoring mission in Georgia along the Ingush, Chechen and Daghestani sections of the Russo-Georgian border for six more months. Up to 150 unarmed observers from the OSCE member countries conduct round-the-clock foot, air and vehicle …
Georgia Boycotts South Ossetia Talks Again
The Georgian side boycotted a session of the quadripartite Joint Control Commission (JCC) over the South Ossetian conflict resolution, held in Moscow on July 1.Goga Khaindrava, the Georgian State Minister in charge of conflict resolutions who represents the Georgian side in the JCC, demanded the immediate release of three Georgian security officials detained in breakaway South …
Saakashvili Says NATO Summit was a Success for Georgia
Georgian President Saakashvili said at a news briefing, upon his arrival from Turkey, that the NATO Istanbul summit was ?a huge success for Georgia.? ?The participants greatly focused on the Caucasus region, that means that our country deserves the attention of the North Atlantic Alliance,? Mikheil Saakashvili said. According to Georgian media reports, Mikheil Saakashvili said …
Russia Concerned over South Ossetia
In a statement issued on June 30 Russian Foreign Ministry expressed concern over ?the deteriorating situation in the Ossetian-Georgian conflict zone.? The Russian Foreign Ministry condemned the setting up of ?unauthorized? police checkpoints in the conflict zone and expressed concern over ?the economic blockade? imposed on South Ossetia by the Georgian side. Moscow also denied any …
New Ambassador to Russia Nominated
President Saakashvili told reporters, upon his arrival from Turkey on June 30, that he will nominate Valeri Chechelashvili as Georgia?s new Ambassador to Russia. Valeri Chechelashvili has been serving as the third Secretary General of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Permanent International Secretariat (BSEC PERMIS), since 2000. Valeri Chechelashvili, who studied International …
IMF Executive Director Visits Georgia
Jeroen Kremers, Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), is visiting Georgia. He met with the President of Georgian National Bank, Irakli Managadze, and Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze on June 30. Talks with the Prime Minister are also scheduled. ?We have discussed the current economic situation in the country,? Irakli Managadze told reporters after …
30/06/2004 - 18:41
NATO Treads Carefully in South Caucasus
Georgia Urged to Perform Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov at the NATO summit. Photo: NATO web-site. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s Istanbul summit has ended. In the aftermath of the conference, the Alliance has expressed its interest in South Caucasus, but placed the ball firmly in the court of the Georgian government by prompting Georgian officials …
Russia Ready for Cooperation with NATO over Caucasus
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at a news briefing on June 30 that NATO?s special focus on Caucasus is ?a reality? and Russia ?is ready for open and transparent cooperation.? ?The new position of Deputy Secretary General [of NATO] has been introduced, which will be in charge of relations with the partner states of the …
Georgian-Ossetian Talks Fail
Talks between the Georgian and Ossetian side failed after demands by the Georgian representatives to release three Georgian security officials, being detained in the breakaway repubilc, were rejected by the South Ossetia authrorities. ?The session of the Joint Control Commission [which includes Georgian, South and North Ossetian sides, as well as representatives from Russia] will be held as soon …
Four Republican MPs Quit Ruling Coalition
Four Republican MPs announced on June 30 that they have quit the ruling National Movement-Democrats parliamentary majority. Their actions follow their accusations that authorities took part in ballot-rigging during the June 20 local elections in the Autonomous Republic of Adjara. “We quit the majority because of ballot-rigging in Adjara. We also disagree with the ruling …
Bush, Saakashvili Meet in Istanbul
According to Georgian media reports President Saakashvili met with U.S. President George W. Bush at the NATO summit in Istanbul on June 28. The Tbilisi-based Imedi television reported that the issue of Russian military bases in Georgia was discussed during this brief meeting. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
Georgian, Ossetian Sides Hold Talks in Moscow
A session of the Joint Control Commission, a mediative body consisting of members from Georgia, South Ossetia, and Russia. Representatives from Russia’s North Ossetian province are also incuded in the commission. The sessions are scheduled to be held in Moscow on June 30-July 1. The Georgian State Minister in charge of conflict resolution issues, Goga Khaindrava, will be representing Georgia …
Russia Says Good Will Needed to Solve Military Bases’ Issue
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at a news briefing in Istanbul that the issues surrounding the pulling out of Russia’s two military bases from Georgia will be solved through the “presence of good will.” “These agreements have no definite time frames. They simply imply reaching an agreement by holding talks in regards to the duration and conditions of [Russian] …
29/06/2004 - 19:11
Government Seeks Business-Friendly Tax Code
The Georgian government vows that Georgia will have the most liberal taxation system in the post-Soviet sphere by 2005. Georgia hopes for vast investments after the easing of tax burdens and the simplification of tax administration. “Our main principle while drafting the document was that Georgia should have a more liberal tax code as compared …
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This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)