The News in Brief
Monday, July 7
IMF mission downsizes Georgia office
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission has downsized its Georgia office.
Ana Lucia Coronel, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission chief for Georgia who visited Tbilisi from June 30–July 4 and met with senior government officials and MPs, informed the government of the IMF’s decision.
It is part of ongoing efforts to refocus the IMF, which include reducing the number of headquarters-based staff and closing or downsizing about 20 Resident Representative offices around the world.
Coronel assured officials that despite the downsizing, the IMF will remain fully engaged with Georgia and its services to the country will not be reduced.
The mission chief and the authorities agreed on mechanisms for maintaining close cooperation between the IMF and Georgia in support of the country’s ongoing economic reform.
(Prime News)
Patriarch visits prisons
Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II visited a number of prisons on July 4.
He gave prisoners gifts including icons and prayer books.
(Prime News)
Medical Regulation Agency official gets pre-trial detention
Tbilisi City Court handed Zaza Koplatadze, deputy head of the Medical Regulation Agency, a two-month pre-trial detention on July 4 for bribe taking.
The case is being investigated by the Constitutional Security Department of the Interior Ministry.
The Constitutional Security Department made a televised arrest of Koplatadze on July 2 and he was later hospitalized after suffering a heart attack. He is accused of taking a bribe in exchange for distributing a license to sell medicine.
(Prime News)
Transdniester calls for recognition of South Ossetia
On July 4, the supreme council of the breakaway Moldovan region of Transdniester released a statement calling for international recognition of South Ossetia.
“Current developments in the Georgian-Ossetian conflict zone once again prove the necessity of immediate recognition of independence of the breakaway Republic of South Ossetia, promotion of the unification of the people of South and North Ossetia, [and] formalization of the international legal status of the republic,” the statement reads.
“Another demonstration of military aggression that resulted in casualties among the peaceful population evidences the unwillingness and inability of certain political forces in Georgia to hold civilized dialogue at the negotiating table without applying to force, threats and pressure,” it continues.
The statement adds that the international community should condemn Tbilisi’s policy towards the region.
(Black Sea Press)
Gogi Gugava to chair finance and budget committee
Gogi Gugava will chair the parliamentary committee of finance and budget.
Gugava, a former chair of the budget department in the Finance Ministry, will replace Temur Murghulia.
(Prime News)
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission has downsized its Georgia office.
Ana Lucia Coronel, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission chief for Georgia who visited Tbilisi from June 30–July 4 and met with senior government officials and MPs, informed the government of the IMF’s decision.
It is part of ongoing efforts to refocus the IMF, which include reducing the number of headquarters-based staff and closing or downsizing about 20 Resident Representative offices around the world.
Coronel assured officials that despite the downsizing, the IMF will remain fully engaged with Georgia and its services to the country will not be reduced.
The mission chief and the authorities agreed on mechanisms for maintaining close cooperation between the IMF and Georgia in support of the country’s ongoing economic reform.
(Prime News)
Patriarch visits prisons
Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II visited a number of prisons on July 4.
He gave prisoners gifts including icons and prayer books.
(Prime News)
Medical Regulation Agency official gets pre-trial detention
Tbilisi City Court handed Zaza Koplatadze, deputy head of the Medical Regulation Agency, a two-month pre-trial detention on July 4 for bribe taking.
The case is being investigated by the Constitutional Security Department of the Interior Ministry.
The Constitutional Security Department made a televised arrest of Koplatadze on July 2 and he was later hospitalized after suffering a heart attack. He is accused of taking a bribe in exchange for distributing a license to sell medicine.
(Prime News)
Transdniester calls for recognition of South Ossetia
On July 4, the supreme council of the breakaway Moldovan region of Transdniester released a statement calling for international recognition of South Ossetia.
“Current developments in the Georgian-Ossetian conflict zone once again prove the necessity of immediate recognition of independence of the breakaway Republic of South Ossetia, promotion of the unification of the people of South and North Ossetia, [and] formalization of the international legal status of the republic,” the statement reads.
“Another demonstration of military aggression that resulted in casualties among the peaceful population evidences the unwillingness and inability of certain political forces in Georgia to hold civilized dialogue at the negotiating table without applying to force, threats and pressure,” it continues.
The statement adds that the international community should condemn Tbilisi’s policy towards the region.
(Black Sea Press)
Gogi Gugava to chair finance and budget committee
Gogi Gugava will chair the parliamentary committee of finance and budget.
Gugava, a former chair of the budget department in the Finance Ministry, will replace Temur Murghulia.
(Prime News)