The News in Brief
Monday, December 1
Georgia, China agree on closer cooperation
Georgia and China are deepening economic and social ties. Tbilisi and Guangzhou have signed a cooperation memorandum. The document was expected to encourage Georgian and Chinese entrepreneurs to establish cooperation. The memorandum was signed by Guangzhou Mayor Chen Jianhua and Tbilisi Mayor Davit Narmania, who is currently paying a visit to China.
Narmania gave a speech at the international conference attended by 260 Mayors from 56 countries in China.
“This new relationship [between Tbilisi and Guangzhou] is important for us, as Guangzhou is one of the leading innovative cities in the region and this kind of relationship is a priority for us,” Narmania said. The Tbilisi Mayor noted this memorandum would encourage active cooperation in the investment and tourism areas. Guangzhou’s Mayor said he would take care of launching flights between Tbilisi and Guangzhou, which would further develop tourism and economic cooperation between the two cities. Narmania suggested that Jianhua hold a business forum in Tbilisi for large Chinese companies in order to give them all the needed information surrounding Georgia’s business environment. The two sides also agreed to increase Georgian wine export to China.
(Agenda.ge)
Work group to be set up regarding immigrants’ request
Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili met with former Foreign Minister Salome Zurabishvili. A bill on primary citizenship, drafted by Georgians living abroad, was discussed at the meeting.
According to him, a work group, consisting of representatives of relevant departments, will be set up. The group will examine the issue and will hold consultations.
Salome Zurabishvili released an emigrants’ letter a few days ago. The emigrants demand maintenance of dual citizenship and the participation in elections.
(IPN)
Russian MP recommends that Petro Poroshenko to appoint Mikheil Saakashvili as Prime Minister of Ukraine
Russian MP Alexei Pushkov has recommended that President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko appoint Mikheil Saakashvili as Prime Minister of Ukraine.
"There is news from Poroshenko! Saakashvili’s co-fighter has a desire to become Ukraine’s deputy interior minister. And why can’s Mikheil Saakashvili be appointed as the country’s Prime Minister?" Pushkov says on his Twitter page.
Liga.net released information on November 27, stating that Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko offered Ukrainian lawmakers to grant foreigners the right to occupy posts in the cabinet of ministers and to appoint a foreign professional as a chairman of the Anti-Corruption Bureau. According to Liga.net, no specific names were provided by the Petro Poroshenko Bloc, but as per unofficial reports, the cabinet positions may be occupied by four or five foreigners.
The publication has learned that it is planned to appoint American Natalie Yaresko with Ukrainian roots as economy minister. Former Georgian deputy Interior Minister Ekaterina Zghuladze’s candidacy is being considered for the post of first deputy minister of internal affairs, while former Justice Minister Zurab Adeishvili was offered to become the chairman of the Anti-Corruption Bureau. It is also planned to create a new post of business ombudsman, the leadership of which was offered to former Georgian PM Nikoloz Gilauri, though he rejected the post.
Liga.net says the initiation of granting foreigners the right to occupy posts in the government has been confidential up to now. Even members of the Petro Poroshenko Block found out about the initiation only on 26 November.
(IPN)
Two Georgians posthumously awarded in Ukraine for their Euromaidan efforts
Two Georgian citizens who died during the Euromaidan protests in Ukraine at the beginning of this year have been awarded orders of heroes.
President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko awarded the Orders of the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred to three foreigners - Georgia's Zurab Khurtsia and David Kipiani and Belarus citizen Mikhail Zhyznevskyi – who all died in the course of the Revolution of Dignity.
Respective document was signed by Poroshenko at a meeting with the parents of Zhyznevskyi yesterday.
The Order of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes is an order of Ukraine presented for civil courage, patriotism and defending constitutional principles of democracy, human rights and freedoms, active charitable, humanitarian, social activities during the Euromaidan-protests.
The order was established on July 1, 2014 when the Verkhovna Rada (the parliament of Ukraine) adopted a law on amendments to Article 7 of the Law of Ukraine "On National Awards of Ukraine”.
The name "Heavenly Hundred" refers to the Euromaidan participants killed during Euromaidan.
Khurtsia, 53, and Kipiani, 33, were among several Georgians who died in Ukraine when they supported the Ukrainian people protest against Russian violence.
Euromaidan was a wave of demonstrations and civil unrest in Ukraine, which led to the 2014 Ukrainian revolution.
(agenda.ge)
EU concerned about possible signing of new agreement between Moscow and occupied Tskhinvali
The European Union is concerned about the possible signing of a new agreement between Moscow and occupied Tskhinvali.
“As you know the European Union's foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini expressed her concern at the first Association Council meeting between the European Union and Georgia. We released a statement on the signature of a “Treaty on Alliance and Strategic Partnership" between the Russian Federation and Georgia's breakaway region of Abkhazia. The EU reiterates its firm support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders”, Federica Mogherini’s spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic has said at a briefing.
(Frontnews)
“The cancellation of the Geneva format would be a complete disaster”
The cancellation of the Geneva format would be a complete disaster, Georgia’s former Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze told Imedi TV on Friday. “I cannot see any prospects for the Abashidze- Karasin format at this stage. However, I cannot say that this format should be canceled. As for the Geneva International Discussions, the next round of it will be held in December; the new deputy Foreign Minister of Georgia will take part in this meeting. He needs to work hard to avoid the cancellation of this format. It would be a complete disaster,” Panjikidze said.
(Frontnews)
Georgia and China are deepening economic and social ties. Tbilisi and Guangzhou have signed a cooperation memorandum. The document was expected to encourage Georgian and Chinese entrepreneurs to establish cooperation. The memorandum was signed by Guangzhou Mayor Chen Jianhua and Tbilisi Mayor Davit Narmania, who is currently paying a visit to China.
Narmania gave a speech at the international conference attended by 260 Mayors from 56 countries in China.
“This new relationship [between Tbilisi and Guangzhou] is important for us, as Guangzhou is one of the leading innovative cities in the region and this kind of relationship is a priority for us,” Narmania said. The Tbilisi Mayor noted this memorandum would encourage active cooperation in the investment and tourism areas. Guangzhou’s Mayor said he would take care of launching flights between Tbilisi and Guangzhou, which would further develop tourism and economic cooperation between the two cities. Narmania suggested that Jianhua hold a business forum in Tbilisi for large Chinese companies in order to give them all the needed information surrounding Georgia’s business environment. The two sides also agreed to increase Georgian wine export to China.
(Agenda.ge)
Work group to be set up regarding immigrants’ request
Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili met with former Foreign Minister Salome Zurabishvili. A bill on primary citizenship, drafted by Georgians living abroad, was discussed at the meeting.
According to him, a work group, consisting of representatives of relevant departments, will be set up. The group will examine the issue and will hold consultations.
Salome Zurabishvili released an emigrants’ letter a few days ago. The emigrants demand maintenance of dual citizenship and the participation in elections.
(IPN)
Russian MP recommends that Petro Poroshenko to appoint Mikheil Saakashvili as Prime Minister of Ukraine
Russian MP Alexei Pushkov has recommended that President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko appoint Mikheil Saakashvili as Prime Minister of Ukraine.
"There is news from Poroshenko! Saakashvili’s co-fighter has a desire to become Ukraine’s deputy interior minister. And why can’s Mikheil Saakashvili be appointed as the country’s Prime Minister?" Pushkov says on his Twitter page.
Liga.net released information on November 27, stating that Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko offered Ukrainian lawmakers to grant foreigners the right to occupy posts in the cabinet of ministers and to appoint a foreign professional as a chairman of the Anti-Corruption Bureau. According to Liga.net, no specific names were provided by the Petro Poroshenko Bloc, but as per unofficial reports, the cabinet positions may be occupied by four or five foreigners.
The publication has learned that it is planned to appoint American Natalie Yaresko with Ukrainian roots as economy minister. Former Georgian deputy Interior Minister Ekaterina Zghuladze’s candidacy is being considered for the post of first deputy minister of internal affairs, while former Justice Minister Zurab Adeishvili was offered to become the chairman of the Anti-Corruption Bureau. It is also planned to create a new post of business ombudsman, the leadership of which was offered to former Georgian PM Nikoloz Gilauri, though he rejected the post.
Liga.net says the initiation of granting foreigners the right to occupy posts in the government has been confidential up to now. Even members of the Petro Poroshenko Block found out about the initiation only on 26 November.
(IPN)
Two Georgians posthumously awarded in Ukraine for their Euromaidan efforts
Two Georgian citizens who died during the Euromaidan protests in Ukraine at the beginning of this year have been awarded orders of heroes.
President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko awarded the Orders of the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred to three foreigners - Georgia's Zurab Khurtsia and David Kipiani and Belarus citizen Mikhail Zhyznevskyi – who all died in the course of the Revolution of Dignity.
Respective document was signed by Poroshenko at a meeting with the parents of Zhyznevskyi yesterday.
The Order of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes is an order of Ukraine presented for civil courage, patriotism and defending constitutional principles of democracy, human rights and freedoms, active charitable, humanitarian, social activities during the Euromaidan-protests.
The order was established on July 1, 2014 when the Verkhovna Rada (the parliament of Ukraine) adopted a law on amendments to Article 7 of the Law of Ukraine "On National Awards of Ukraine”.
The name "Heavenly Hundred" refers to the Euromaidan participants killed during Euromaidan.
Khurtsia, 53, and Kipiani, 33, were among several Georgians who died in Ukraine when they supported the Ukrainian people protest against Russian violence.
Euromaidan was a wave of demonstrations and civil unrest in Ukraine, which led to the 2014 Ukrainian revolution.
(agenda.ge)
EU concerned about possible signing of new agreement between Moscow and occupied Tskhinvali
The European Union is concerned about the possible signing of a new agreement between Moscow and occupied Tskhinvali.
“As you know the European Union's foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini expressed her concern at the first Association Council meeting between the European Union and Georgia. We released a statement on the signature of a “Treaty on Alliance and Strategic Partnership" between the Russian Federation and Georgia's breakaway region of Abkhazia. The EU reiterates its firm support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders”, Federica Mogherini’s spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic has said at a briefing.
(Frontnews)
“The cancellation of the Geneva format would be a complete disaster”
The cancellation of the Geneva format would be a complete disaster, Georgia’s former Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze told Imedi TV on Friday. “I cannot see any prospects for the Abashidze- Karasin format at this stage. However, I cannot say that this format should be canceled. As for the Geneva International Discussions, the next round of it will be held in December; the new deputy Foreign Minister of Georgia will take part in this meeting. He needs to work hard to avoid the cancellation of this format. It would be a complete disaster,” Panjikidze said.
(Frontnews)