The News in Brief
Wednesday, July 2
Georgia announces public service reform
Georgia will have a more "organized and transparent” public service system thanks to a reform the country is about to adopt.
Head of the Public Service Bureau Ekaterine Kardava presented the reform concept today. The document covered ten key aspects including salary regulations and gender equality for those employed in the public sector.
Kardava said the concept was based on the world’s best practices. A number of international and local experts were involved for several months in creating a framework to determine the nature of the reform.
It is not known yet when the reform will be implemented, but the Georgian government has already approved the document. (agenda.ge)
Georgia-Russia Technical Meeting on Trade Planned for July 7
Georgian and Russian experts will meet in Prague on July 7 for technical consultations to discuss potential effects of Georgia’s deep and comprehensive free trade agreement (DCFTA) with the EU on bilateral Georgian-Russian trade.
“It will be purely technical meeting to discuss new conditions brought by DCFTA and issues that will have to be taken into consideration in our bilateral trade ties [with] Russia will be identified,” Georgian Foreign Minister, Maia Panjikidze, said on June 30, adding that an official from the Georgian Foreign Ministry will also participate in the meeting.
“More such meetings will follow if need be and EU representatives will also participate if necessary,” she said at a joint news conference with her Swedish counterpart, Carl Bildt, in Tbilisi.
Asked if there is necessity for the EU to also be engaged in technical meeting on trade between Russia and Georgia, the Swedish Foreign Minister responded: “Not necessarily, but that’s in the hands of Georgia.”
Georgian PM’s special representatives for relations with Russia, Zurab Abashidze, said last week that he does not expect any “dramatic” change in bilateral trade between Georgia and Russia. Abashidze’s next meeting with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin will be held in Prague after the meeting between Russian and Georgian experts.
Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, said last week that Moscow is ready for consultations with Tbilisi on trade issues. He also said that although Georgia is not a full-fledged member of free trade regime within the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), it still enjoys with number of preferential trade arrangements within CIS. (Civil.ge)
Gogi Gakharia may be appointed as Chairman of the Department of Corrections
Gogi Gakharia may be appointed as Chairman of the Department of Corrections. Gogi Gakharia is an acting Chairman of the Department of Corrections at this moment.
“At this stage this issue is not being discussed. However, in the near future we will make a decision if he remains at this post. We may discuss another candidate”, Minister of Corrections and Legal Assistance of Georgia Sozar Subari told journalists on Monday.
We remind you that Gogi Gvakharia is one of the employees of the penitentiary system, who received a high bonus in 2013. He received a GEL 39 130 34 bonus in 2013. (Frontnews)
Former senior law enforcer arrested in Netherlands
Former senior law enforcer Giorgi Dgebuadze was arrested in the Netherlands. The former chief of the security and special task main division of the Military Police of the Staff of armed forces, who was nicknamed Mastera, was wanted by Interpol since March 7, 2013.
The former official is accused of exceeding his authority, illegal confinement and organizing torture. The investigation also accuses him in organizing the so-called Navtlughi special operation.
Mastera was detained in the Netherlands on the grounds of the chief prosecutor`s office of Georgia. The Georgian side has already sent an extradition request to Dutch authorities. (Rustavi 2)
Turkey welcomes signing of Association Agreements by Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine with EU
Turkey welcomes the signing of the Association Agreement with the EU by Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.
According to a statement, the Association Agreement will contribute greatly to the peace and stability of the whole continent.
“From our point of view, forming the Association Agreement between the EU and the three countries – Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, expresses the democratic will of these countries on the path towards the EU and these agreement will contribute greatly to peace and stability of the whole continent,’’ said the statement of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (IPN)
People suffering from hepatitis C will get expensive medicines at a 60% discount
From now on, those who suffer from hepatitis C will be able to receive expensive medicines at a 60% discount.
As InterPressNews has been informed, the Deputy Minister of Labor, Health and Social Affairsvisited PSP Pharmacy on Iosebidze Street where she monitored the process of distributing expensive medicines at a 60% discount to those who are afflicted with Hepatitis C.
The medication can only be purchased at the PSP Pharmacy on Losebidze Street at this discounted price. (IPN)
Georgia will have a more "organized and transparent” public service system thanks to a reform the country is about to adopt.
Head of the Public Service Bureau Ekaterine Kardava presented the reform concept today. The document covered ten key aspects including salary regulations and gender equality for those employed in the public sector.
Kardava said the concept was based on the world’s best practices. A number of international and local experts were involved for several months in creating a framework to determine the nature of the reform.
It is not known yet when the reform will be implemented, but the Georgian government has already approved the document. (agenda.ge)
Georgia-Russia Technical Meeting on Trade Planned for July 7
Georgian and Russian experts will meet in Prague on July 7 for technical consultations to discuss potential effects of Georgia’s deep and comprehensive free trade agreement (DCFTA) with the EU on bilateral Georgian-Russian trade.
“It will be purely technical meeting to discuss new conditions brought by DCFTA and issues that will have to be taken into consideration in our bilateral trade ties [with] Russia will be identified,” Georgian Foreign Minister, Maia Panjikidze, said on June 30, adding that an official from the Georgian Foreign Ministry will also participate in the meeting.
“More such meetings will follow if need be and EU representatives will also participate if necessary,” she said at a joint news conference with her Swedish counterpart, Carl Bildt, in Tbilisi.
Asked if there is necessity for the EU to also be engaged in technical meeting on trade between Russia and Georgia, the Swedish Foreign Minister responded: “Not necessarily, but that’s in the hands of Georgia.”
Georgian PM’s special representatives for relations with Russia, Zurab Abashidze, said last week that he does not expect any “dramatic” change in bilateral trade between Georgia and Russia. Abashidze’s next meeting with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin will be held in Prague after the meeting between Russian and Georgian experts.
Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, said last week that Moscow is ready for consultations with Tbilisi on trade issues. He also said that although Georgia is not a full-fledged member of free trade regime within the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), it still enjoys with number of preferential trade arrangements within CIS. (Civil.ge)
Gogi Gakharia may be appointed as Chairman of the Department of Corrections
Gogi Gakharia may be appointed as Chairman of the Department of Corrections. Gogi Gakharia is an acting Chairman of the Department of Corrections at this moment.
“At this stage this issue is not being discussed. However, in the near future we will make a decision if he remains at this post. We may discuss another candidate”, Minister of Corrections and Legal Assistance of Georgia Sozar Subari told journalists on Monday.
We remind you that Gogi Gvakharia is one of the employees of the penitentiary system, who received a high bonus in 2013. He received a GEL 39 130 34 bonus in 2013. (Frontnews)
Former senior law enforcer arrested in Netherlands
Former senior law enforcer Giorgi Dgebuadze was arrested in the Netherlands. The former chief of the security and special task main division of the Military Police of the Staff of armed forces, who was nicknamed Mastera, was wanted by Interpol since March 7, 2013.
The former official is accused of exceeding his authority, illegal confinement and organizing torture. The investigation also accuses him in organizing the so-called Navtlughi special operation.
Mastera was detained in the Netherlands on the grounds of the chief prosecutor`s office of Georgia. The Georgian side has already sent an extradition request to Dutch authorities. (Rustavi 2)
Turkey welcomes signing of Association Agreements by Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine with EU
Turkey welcomes the signing of the Association Agreement with the EU by Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.
According to a statement, the Association Agreement will contribute greatly to the peace and stability of the whole continent.
“From our point of view, forming the Association Agreement between the EU and the three countries – Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, expresses the democratic will of these countries on the path towards the EU and these agreement will contribute greatly to peace and stability of the whole continent,’’ said the statement of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (IPN)
People suffering from hepatitis C will get expensive medicines at a 60% discount
From now on, those who suffer from hepatitis C will be able to receive expensive medicines at a 60% discount.
As InterPressNews has been informed, the Deputy Minister of Labor, Health and Social Affairsvisited PSP Pharmacy on Iosebidze Street where she monitored the process of distributing expensive medicines at a 60% discount to those who are afflicted with Hepatitis C.
The medication can only be purchased at the PSP Pharmacy on Losebidze Street at this discounted price. (IPN)