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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 …
04/07/2004 - 15:38
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 …
Georgia Eases Passport Controls at Russian Border
Georgian Deputy Security Minister Gigi Ugulava said on June 28 that the authorities will ease passport controls at the Larsi checkpoint, which lies near the town of Kazbegi, on the Russian and Georgian border. This action comes as a response to the recently imposed blockade of bus traffic between Russia and Georgia via the breakaway South …
The Role of Civil Sector in Education Reform Should Increase
Presently, the issues of education reform and changes needed to adopt these reforms are being widely discussed by various factions in Georgia. In particular, the issue of the role of non-governmental organizations within these processes of reform is of great interest. Many of the needed reformations of the education field began under the supervision of …
Abkhaz de facto PM Visits Moscow
The Prime Minister of the internationaly unrecognized Abkhazian Republic, Raul Khajinba, arrived on June 28 in Moscow for a two-day visit. It is expected that the Prime Minister will discuss economic issues with the Russian authorities, the Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
Georgian State Minister Visits Moscow
Goga Khaindrava, the Georgian State Minister in charge of conflict resolution issues, left for Moscow on June 29 to hold talks with representatives from the South Ossetian side. The talks are scheduled for June 30-July 1. The talks will be conducted by the Joint Control Commission (JCC), which is a quadripartite body that includes members from Georgia, …
Italian Foreign Minister Visits Georgia
Foreign Minister of Italy Franco Frattini pays three day working visit to Georgia on June 29-July 1.Bilateral political, economic and cultural relations between Georgia and Italy will be discussed during the talks with President Saakashvili, Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania and Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
Tskhinvali Rejects Russo-Georgian Checkpoint at Roki Pass
The Georgian media reported that the South Ossetian side rejected Tbilisi?s proposal to set a joint Russian-Georgian checkpoint at the Roki pass, which links Russia?s North Ossetian Republic with its neighboring South Ossetia. Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili proposed the initiative to Russian First Deputy Foreign Minister Valeri Loshchinin during their talks in Tbilisi on …
NATO to Open Liaison Office in the Caucasus
In a final Communique published on June 28, following sessions of the North Atlantic Council in Istanbul, Turkey, NATO member states agreed to “put special focus on engaging with… Partners in the strategically important regions of the Caucasus and Central Asia.” To this end “NATO has agreed on improved liaison arrangements, including the assignment of two …
28/06/2004 - 19:59
NATO Urges Russia to Implement 1999 Commitments for Troop Withdrawal
In a final Communique published on June 28, following sessions of the North Atlantic Council in Istanbul, Turkey, NATO urged Russia for “a swift resolution of the outstanding issues between Georgia and Russia as set out in their Istanbul Joint Statement in 17 November 1999” and to this end, called “upon the parties to resume negotiations at an …
Saakashvili: Turkish PM, Businesmen to Visit Georgia
Following a meeting with the Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer on June 28, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili told reporters that a large delegation of Turkish businessmen, headed-up by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, would pay an official visit to Georgia on August 11. The Turkish news agency, Anadolu, reports Saakashvili as saying that the enhancement of economic cooperation and the …
Bus Traffic with Russia Impeded in South Ossetia
Reports claim that passenger buses en route from Georgia to Russia and vice versa are being barred from entering Georgia’s breakaway South Ossetia by local authorities in the self-styled republic. Georgian Deputy Security Minister Gigi Ugulava said at a news briefing on June 28 that several passenger buses are currently being blocked at the Roki tunnel, which links Russia’s …
Results of Adjara Polls Announced
According to the final vote tally of the Adjarian Supreme Election Commission, published on June 28, only two parties – President Saakashvili’s Victorious Adjara and the Republican Party, will gain seats in Adjara’s legislative body – the Supreme Council. Victorious Adjara received 72.1% of the votes in the June 20 snap elections while the Republican Party garnered …
Government Saves Rustavi 2 TV from Bankrupcy
The Georgian court suspended the bankruptcy proceedings against the Rustavi 2 TV company after an appeal, which agrees on the suspension of payment of company?s debts to the state budget, was approved by the Georgian Finance Ministry?s Tax Department. Bankruptcy proceedings against the Rustavi 2 television company were opened on June 11, following an appeal by Erosi Kitsmarishvili, the owner of the …
Three Russian Citizens Sentenced to Pre-Trial Custody in Tbilisi
A Court in Tbilisi sentenced three Russian citizens to three-month pre-trial custody on June 26. The three men, who are residents of Russia?s North Ossetian Republic, face charges of illegally crossing the Russian-Georgian border. The Georgian Interior Ministry reported that three people were arrested on June 24 in the Java district in Georgia?s breakaway South Ossetia. Georgian law …
Tbilisi Increases Control over Adjara by Imposing ‘Nominal Autonomy’
Officials say the proposed draft law over Adjara’s constitutional powers will forever prevent separatism attempts in the region. In the wake of a landslide victory in Adjara’s local elections, Georgia’s central government further increased its control over the Autonomous Republic after the Parliament approved a controversial law over Adjara’s powers in its first hearing on …
27/06/2004 - 18:27
Saakashvili Foresees ‘Revolution’ in South Ossetia
President Saakashvili, while speaking at the Atlantic Alliance at a New Crossroad Conference in Istanbul on June 26, addressed conflict resolution within Georgia. He said that the situation in Georgia’s breakaway South Ossetia will be handled in a similar fashion as the Adjara conflict that occured in early May, when ex-leader of Adjara Aslan Abashidze had to resign under pressure from the …
Georgia Continues the Reshuffling of Diplomatic Corps
The Georgian Parliament revoked the diplomatic credentials of 9 Georgian ambassadors on June 25 as a part of reforms being carried out in Georgian diplomatic missions abroad. The lawmakers revoked the credentials of the Georgian Ambassadors to Italy (Rusudan Lortkipanidze), Kazakhstan (Nugzar Duchidze), Turkey (Tariel Lebanidze) as well as the Ambassador to Turkmenistan and Afghanistan – Petre Chkheidze. Grigol Katamadze, the Georgian …
26/06/2004 - 15:13
Saakashvili Leaves for NATO Summit
President Saakashvili left for Istanbul on June 26 to attend the NATO Summit, scheduled for June 28-29. According to the President?s administration, during the four-day visit the Georgian President will hold meetings with U.S. Senators Richard Lugar, John McCain, Congressman Tom Lantos and German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) …
Russia Condemns Arrest of its Citizens by Georgia
In a statement issued on June 25 the Russian Foreign Ministry demanded Georgia to clarify its case regarding the detention of three Russian citizens in the breakaway republic of South Ossetia. The Georgian Interior Ministry reported that three people were arrested on June 24 in the Java district of South Ossetia. The three men were suspected of espionage. According to the Georgian side, the …
New Chairman of Supreme Court Approved
The Parliament, on June 25, approved the nomination of Kote Kemularia as Chairman of the Supreme Court with a 176 to 1 vote, allowing Mr. Kemularia to begin his ten year term.Kote Kemularia, a lawyer, had served as Georgia?s Ambassador in Russia since February 2004. Before the diplomatic mission he was a co-chairman of President Saakashvili?s National Movement party. He …
25/06/2004 - 20:40
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This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)