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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, …
29/06/2004 - 11:39
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
Controversial Law on Adjara’s Constitutional Powers Endorsed
The Parliament approved with 173 votes to 9 with the first hearing on June 25 a draft constitutional law over distribution powers Georgian central authorities and Adjara Autonomous Republic. According to the document Adjara will have one chamber legislative body and executive government with the Prime Minister, whose candidacy will be proposed to the Adjarian …
Parliament Debates over Adjara’s Constitutional Powers
Georgian Parliament launched on June 25 discussion of the draft of constitutional law over distribution of powers between the Georgia’s central government and Adjara Autonomous Republic. According to the document, which would confirm Adjara’s Autonomous status, the region will be run by the legislative body and the executive government. The President of Georgia will propose …
MPs Hail Georgia’s Inclusion in EU Neighborhood Policy
In a statement passed on June 24, the Georgian Parliament welcomed European Union’s decision of June 14 to include Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia in its European Neighborhood Policy (ENP), which is designed to offer member countries a privileged relationship with the EU. The Parliament of Georgia also called on Armenia and Azerbaijan to jointly develop …
Russia Intensifies Diplomatic Efforts over South Ossetia
According to reports, after Russian First Deputy Foreign Minster Valeri Loshchinin’s visit to Tskhinvali and talks with de facto South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoev on June 24, the leadership in Georgia’s breakaway South Ossetian province agreed to resume talks with the Georgian side. It is anticipated that the talks will be conducted by the Joint …
Tbilisi Wants Checkpoint at Border between North and South Ossetia
Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili told reporters after the talks with visiting Russian First Deputy Foreign Minister Valeri Loshchinin that the South Ossetia was one of the main issues discussed during the meeting. She said that the Georgian side pushed the issue of setting up a joint checkpoint at the Roki pass, linking Russia’s North …
Georgian Foreign Minister Meets Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister
Visiting First Deputy Foreign Minister Valerie Loshchinin is holding talks with Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili in Tbilisi on June 25.On June 24 Valeri Loshchinin met with de facto President of breakaway South Ossetia Eduard Kokoev in Tskhinvali.Georgian officials, as well as visiting Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, have made no official statements regarding talks so …
Saakashvili to Visit Moscow
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili will visit Russia?s capital, Moscow on July 2-4 to hold talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, Georgian President?s administration reported. Prior to the Moscow visit President Saakashvili will arrive in Turkish capital, Istanbul to attend the NATO Summit on June 28-29. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
World Bank Approves $47ml Loan for Georgia
The World Bank approved three credits for Georgia: a US$24 million Reform Support Credit, a US$3.6 million Energy Supplemental Credit, and a US$20 million credit for Secondary and Local Roads Project, for a total of US$47.6 in new lending. As the news release issued by the World Bank on June 24 reads, the key objectives …
Tskhinvali Calls on Tbilisi for Restraint
President of self-styled South Ossetian Republic Edward Kokoev called on the Georgian side on June 24 to ?reject the language of ultimatums.??The South Ossetian [de facto] authorities support peaceful settlement of the conflict through negotiations. It is not necessary to demonstrate force and speak in the language of ultimatums, like it occurred recently, when the …
Georgia Detains Three Russian Citizens Suspected of Spying
Georgian Deputy Interior Minister Gia Getsadze said three citizens of Russia, who are the residents of Russia?s North Ossetian Republic, neighboring with Georgia?s breakaway South Ossetia, were detained on June 24 and charged for illegal crossing the border. Gia Getsadze said that three ethnic Ossetians were detained by the Georgian law enforcers in Java district …
Russia, Georgia Discussed Joint Anti-Terrorism Center
Russian Foreign Ministry reported on June 24 that issue of ?acceptable duration of presence of the Russian military bases in Georgia and normal conditions for functioning of these bases? was discussed during the ninth round of talks between the Georgian and Russian delegation over the military issues in Moscow on June 23-24.The statement issued by …
24/06/2004 - 18:39
Ambassador in Russia Nominated as Chairman of Supreme Court
Georgian Ambassador in Russia Kote Kemularia was nominated as Chairman of the Supreme Court on June 24, after the Parliament ceased his diplomatic credentials. Prior to the Parliament?s approval Kote Kemularia will hold meetings with the parliamentary factions. Only afterwards the Parliament will discuss his candidacy. Kote Kemularia will replace on this position Lado Chanturia, …
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Visits Tskhinvali
The Russian delegation led by First Deputy Foreign Minister Valerie Loshchinin arrived on June 24 in breakaway South Ossetian capital Tskhinvali. Georgian State Minister for conflict resolutions Goga Khaindrava also visits the breakaway region. After the talks in Tskhinvali the Russian delegation is expected to leave for Tbilisi and hold talks with Georgian Prime Minister …
New Chief State Auditor Approved
The Parliament approved with 150 votes to 0 Zurab Soselia as new chairman of the Control of Chamber ? the main state audit agency, on June 24. Zurab Soselia previously held the Deputy Finance Minister?s position. Former Chairman of the Chamber of Control and ex-President Shevardnadze?s close ally, Sulkhan Molashvili, was arrested last month on …
Georgia Reshuffles Diplomatic Corps
Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili has submitted the new candidates on the Ambassadorial positions on June 23. The eight candidacies, set to become Georgia’s new ambassadors are: Gega Mgaloblishvili – Ambassador of Georgia to Turkey Levan Asatiani – Ambassador of Georgia to Iran Davit Aptsiauri – Ambassador of Georgia to Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia Natia Japaridze –Ambassador …
Ex-Adjarian Leader’s Daughter Interrogated
The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed protest regarding the frequent interrogation of ex-Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze’s daughter Diana Abashidze, who arrived in Adjarian Autonomy on June 20 to mark one year anniversary of the death of her mother. “Official Tbilisi has firmly assured that it would not persecute Aslan Abashidze and his family members,” the statement …
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Visits Tbilisi
Russian First Deputy Foreign Minister Valeri Loshchinin will arrive in Tbilisi on June 24 to discuss with Georgian leadership Abkhazia and South Ossetia conflict resolution. Valeri Loshchinin is also Russian President Vladimir Putin?s special representative for the Abkhazia conflict settlement, however, as anticipated situation in the breakaway South Ossetia will top the agenda of talks …
OSCE Calls on Georgian, Ossetian Sides for Resumption of Talks
Head of the OSCE Mission to Georgia Ambassador Roy Reeve said at a news briefing on June 23 that the situation in the Georgian-Ossetian conflict zone remains tense. He called on the Georgian and Ossetian sides on June 23 to resume talks in frames of the Joint Control Commission (JCC), a quadripartite body involving Georgian, …
23/06/2004 - 19:22
Tbilisi Wants to Reopen Russo-Georgian Road Link via Tskhinvali
Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania visited on June 23 northern Georgian districts where the landslide blocked the road linking Georgia with Russia. He told reporters that another road link between the two countries, which lies on breakaway South Ossetia, should be reopened. This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
‘Think-Tank’ Republicans to Quit Ruling Coalition
Republican leader accuses former allies of vote-rigging. President Mikheil Saakashvili won a landslide victory in Adjara. His political allies secured an absolute majority in the Autonomy’s legislature during elections held on June 20. This success, however, was overshadowed by the split of the Republican Party from Saakashvili’s National Movement. Nonetheless, political analysts suggest that this …
Prosecutor General Targets Ex-Officials’ Property
The Georgia Prosecutor General’s Office sued on June 23 for confiscation of the property of several former top officials. This is the first case when the General Prosecutor?s Office resorts to the anti-corruption law, passed by the Parliament in February. The law envisages confiscation of assets of those officials and ex-officials who fail to prove …
Georgian PM Condemns South Ossetia Maneuvers
Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania today expressed concern over the military exercises carried out by the South Ossetian armed groups, during which an ethnic Georgian woman, resident of the breakaway region, was slightly wounded on June 22. “The Georgian authorities, as well as the President of Georgia, are utterly concerned about the incident, which occurred …
Russia, Georgia Resume Talks over Military Bases, but No Breakthrough Anticipated
Besides Batumi and Akhalkalaki, Russia has its troops deployed in breakaway Abkhazia and South Ossetia as peacekeepers. On June 23 officials from Georgia and Russia met in Moscow to resume talks over Russia’s two military bases still operating in Georgia. The presence of Russian troops in Batumi and Akhalkalaki has become one of the major …
Russia, Georgia Resume Talks on Military Bases
Georgian delegation, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Merab Antadze is visiting Moscow on June 23-24 to hold ninth round of talks with the Russian side over withdrawal of its two military bases from Georgia, as envisaged by the 1999 Istanbul treaty. The Georgian Foreign Ministry welcomed on June 22 the renewal of the negotiation process …
Tbilisi Protests against Ossetian Maneuvers, Sets Ultimatum
Georgian Interior Minister Irakli Okruashvili expressed protest on June 22 regarding the military exercises carried out by the South Ossetian militia. Georgian side claims that the shot allegedly fired from the training ground of the South Ossetian militia groups, slightly wounded ethnic Georgian woman, 70, resident of the breakaway region. ?I demand from the Ossetian …
Georgia’s Favorite Candidate Elected as CoE Secretary General
British parliamentarian Terry Davis has been elected to serve a 5-year term as Secretary General of the Council of Europe (CoE), following a vote by members of the organization’s Parliamentary Assembly on June 22. Georgian delegation supported candidacy of Terry Davis. Georgian authorities made no secret that Terry Davis was Tbilisi’s favorite candidacy, especially after …
22/06/2004 - 18:59
Georgian Border Guards on High Alert
Georgian border guards at the Ingush, Chechen and Daghestani sections of the Russian-Georgian border are on high alert after the heavily armed gunmen attacked governmental building and police posts in Russia?s Ingush Republic, neighboring with the rebel Chechnya. Commander of the Georgian Border Guard Department Badri Bitsadze said that the Georgian border guards are on …
Russia Wants USD 300 ml to Pull out its Military Bases from Georgia
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said on June 21 that the withdrawal of Russia?s two military bases from Georgia and their redeployment in Russia will cost USD 300 million. ?In case of absence of other sources of financing withdrawal, the Russian Finance Ministry is ready to allocate particular funds for this,? Russian news agency RIA …
CoE Comments on Adjara Elections
Observers from the Council of Europe (CoE) announced that the June 20 elections in the Autonomous Republic of Adjara “went smoothly, although the electoral process fell short of international standards in some regards.” A group of observers from the Council of Europe’s Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, led by Joseph Borg, monitored the elections of the Supreme Council …
Russia Calls on Georgia for Peaceful Settlement of Conflicts
Secretary of the Russian Security Council Igor Ivanov expressed hope that Georgia will settle the problems with breakaway South Ossetia and Abkhazia peacefully. ?Any attempts of force settlement of Abkhaz or South Ossetian conflicts will have far-reaching consequences, first of all, for Georgia,? Ivanov said in an interview with the Russian magazine Itogi on June …
Ruling Party Slams Republicans
Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze described the Republican Party?s decision to run for Adjara elections separately as ?a mistake.? Republican Party, which is in the coalition with the ruling National Movement-Democrats party in the Georgia Parliament, participated in the June 20 local elections in the Adjara Autonomous Republic independently and was the major contender to the …
Republicans to Suspend Cooperation with Ruling Party
Leader of the Republican Party Davit Berdzenishvili said on June 21, that the party intends to suspend cooperation with the ruling National Movement party, after he alleged the authorities of ballot-rigging during the June 20 local elections in Adjara. The Republican Party has already accused the ruling party of ?mass ballot-rigging? during the elections. ?Saakashvili-Victorious …
21/06/2004 - 20:29
Tbilisi Delivered Fertilizers to Georgian Villages of Abkhazia
The Georgian government sent fertilizers to the Gali district of breakaway Abkhazia, which is predominantly populated by ethnic Georgians. ?This measure [distribution of fertilizers] has been agreed with the administration of Gali. The residents of 14 villages will receive over 90 tons of fertilizers,? Minister for Agriculture and Food Davit Shervashidze, who accompanied the freight, …
Two-Party Parliament Elected in Adjara
Levan Varshalomidze will become Adjarian Prime Minister after the success of Saakashvili’s party. As anticipated President Saakashvili’s supporter Victorious Adjara won a landslide victory with 75% of votes in June 20 local elections in Adjara Autonomous Republic, according to the early official results. Chairman of the Adjarian Supreme Election Commission (SEC) Irakli Pagava said that …
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This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)