The Messenger - Georgia's English Language Daily

Georgian, Abkhaz leaders met in Sweden

Abkhaz de facto foreigh minister Sergey Shamba and Georgian National Security Council head Kakha Lomaia

Georgian officials and leaders of the separatist Abkhaz administration met in Sweden last week for high-level talks, officials in Tbilisi have confirmed. (more)

Amid poverty and unpopular policies, Kazbegi goes its own way

Mt. Kazbegi overlooking the town of Stepantsminda

A Caucasian archetype of rugged individualism, the people of Kazbegi have tacked against prevailing political winds as regional trends push them further into the margins. (more)

Christian Dems take seats as parliamentary majority play nice with opposition

The Christian Democratic Movement took up their seats in the new parliament on June 20, becoming the only non-government party to do so, with its party leader calling the move the best way forward. (more)

Ex-finance minister announces customs training program for businesses

Ex-finance minister Aleksi Aleksishvili (third from the left)

An ex-finance minister presented a new program to train businesses to navigate Georgia’s customs regulations at a roundtable meeting for the International Chamber of Commerce-Georgia (ICC-Georgia) on June 19 at the Tbilisi Marriott. (more)

The News in Brief

President meets NATO chief. (more)

Secret or not, any talks are progress

Georgia’s top officials for security and conflict issues met quietly with Abkhaz separatist leadership last week in Sweden, in direct talks of the sort which have been rare for the last two years. (more)

EU gives Eastern Partnership green light

As expected, EU leaders backed a project which will increase the Union’s ties with its eastern neighbors at a summit last week in Brussels. (more)

Kazakhstan reaffirms energy cooperation with Azerbaijan

Kazakhstan is committed to cooperating with Azerbaijan on energy issues, Kazakh Senate Chairman Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said in Baku last week. (more)

Press Scanner

“TV program 'Shvidi Dghe' shut down unexpectedly”