PARLIAMENT ADOPTING RESOLUTION ON POSSIBLE MILITARY ESCALATION IN UKRAINE
At Today’s Plenary Session, the Parliament adopted the Resolution on Possible Military Escalation in Ukraine with 74 votes.
The document developed by the members of the Parliamentary Majority Giorgi Khelashvili, Maka Botchorishvili, Levan Karumidze, Givi Mikanadze and Tamar Taliashvili was introduced to the MPs by the First Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee Giorgi Khelashvili.
The Parliament, according to the resolution, expresses grave concern about a possible military escalation in Ukraine and condemns any intention directed against a sovereign state and its territorial integrity, which poses a new threat not only to Ukraine but also to regional peace and security.
The resolution further notes that the Georgian Parliament urges on the Georgian government to continue its contribution to the prevention of war in Ukraine by using diplomatic instruments and working closely with strategic partners.
The majority of the opposition, according to Giorgi Khelashvili, is attempting to avoid supporting important state resolutions by providing an excuse rather than a cause.
According to him, the same thing happened to the constitutional record that backed Georgia's integration into the European Union and the Euro-Atlantic area, such as the Parliamentary resolution on foreign policy that referred to Russia as Georgia's occupier, but the UNM refused to endorse it.
Giorgi Khelashvili once again addressed the opposition before the discussion and called for support for the document.
"The opposition, led by the United National Movement, is almost unanimously opposed to the resolution. This is disappointing, because it would be desirable for us to pass a resolution with the support of all political forces. We can boldly conclude that the aim of the opposition is not to participate in the development of real foreign policy, but only political manipulation. I call on other political parties and factions, if not the National Movement, to take a historical perspective and vote for this resolution, because years later, their signatures will not be found on this resolution”, - Giorgi Khelashvili said.
Most of the opposition MPs demanded from the initiators of the draft that the text of the resolution clearly state the Russian Federation, saying that the document would gain support only in this case and would not remain just a one-party document of the ruling team.
Administration of the Parliament of Georgia
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HEARING OF MINISTER OF FINANCE WITHIN MINISTERIAL HOUR
The Parliament heard the Minister of Finance, Lasha Khutsishvili, within the Ministerial Hour, reporting on the activities and future plans of the agency.
According to the Minister, 10.1 percent was the real GDP growth in 2022, which was still double-digit. This information was provided by the National Statistical Agency. According to Lasha Khutsishvili, the economy's level reached its pre-pandemic trend in 2021–2022, and considerable growth persisted in 2023 (8.4% growth in January). He claims that in 2022, greater economic conditions compared to expectations allowed for the first time an increase in budget revenues."The consolidated budget's tax revenue rate climbed by 1.8 billion GEL from its first plan to its final plan, which was 17 billion 350 million GEL. Tax revenue cash flow exceeded 17 billion 385 million GEL, exceeding the enhanced expected indicators by 100.2 percent. It should be noted that the rate of value-added tax refunds exceeded 2 billion 265 million GEL at the same time. The consolidated budget's overall revenue exceeded 23 billion 648 million GEL, or 100.8 percent, of the projected amount”, - the Minister of Finance noted.
Regarding the expenditure component, the Minister reported strong performance and a volume of 23 billion 49 million GEL, or 99.7% of the anticipated amount. Cash flow above 15 billion 615 million GEL (99.2% of the estimate) and capital expenses exceeded 6 billion 169 billion GEL (101.2% of the projection), respectively, for the portion of current expenses.
Lasha Khutsishvili called attention to the trend of declining budget deficits.
Lasha Khutsishvili discussed the reforms that are currently taking place within the Ministry's system, including: the management of state finances, management of state investments, management of debt, reform of state enterprises, analysis of the efficacy of tax expenditures, and reforms in the tax and customs areas.
According to the Finance Minister, the Ministry started actively working on the examination of tax expenditures, or tax advantages that are legally defined, in 2020.
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European Peace Facility: Council increases the financial ceiling to nearly €7.98 billion until 2027
The Council adopted a decision increasing the financial ceiling of the European Peace Facility (EPF) to €7.979 billion (in current prices) until 2027, ensuring that additional financial needs can be covered.
The European Peace Facility has now become an integral part of the EU’s support to promote peace and security globally. Today’s decision brings the financial ceiling of the European Peace Facility to over €7.9 billion. Ensuring the financial sustainability of this instrument is crucial for our support not only to Ukraine, but also for our partners in other parts of Europe, Africa and the Middle East, as needs continue to arise.
This decision implements the political agreement reached on 12 December 2022, when the Council decided to increase the overall EPF financial ceiling by €2 billion (in 2018 prices) in 2023, and allow for the possibility of a further increase at a later stage (up to €5.5 billion in 2018 prices until 2027).
The Council also decided to set a financial reference amount for the common costs of the EU Crisis Management Military Exercise 2023 (MILEX 23) at €5 million and introduce more flexibility in the collection and use of financial contributions from member states and in their use by the facility.
In its conclusions of 15 December 2022, the European Council reiterated the global dimension of the Facility and welcomed the agreement in the Council on 12 December 2022 to ensure its financial sustainability.
Background and next steps
The European Peace Facility was established in March 2021 to finance all common foreign and security policy (CFSP) actions relating to military and defence matters, with the aim of preventing conflict, preserving peace, and strengthening international security and stability. In particular, the European Peace Facility allows the EU to finance actions designed to strengthen the capacities of non-EU countries and regional and international organisations in relation to military and defence matters.
The EPF is an off-budget instrument and originally had an overall financial ceiling of €5 billion in 2018 prices for the period 2021-2027, with annual ceilings that ranged from €420 million in 2021 to €1.132 billion in 2027.
Thanks to the EPF, the EU has been supporting the Ukrainian Armed Forces through seven successive support packages so far, as well as many other countries such as: Mozambique, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, the Republic of Mali, Somalia, Niger, Jordan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lebanon and Mauritania, as well as military components of African-led Peace Support Operations and multinational units such as the Balkan Medical Task Force.
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With us, not for us: conference in Georgia calls for inclusive environment for people with Down Syndrome
On the occasion of World Down Syndrome Day, a conference entitled “With Us, Not for Us” was held in Georgia on 21 March.
The event was organised by the Down Syndrome Association of Georgia with the support of the European Union (as part of ‘HumanRights4All’ initiative) , the United Nations Development Programme, and Open Society Georgia.
Non-governmental organisations, organisations of persons with disabilities, and organisations of parents of children with Down Syndrome took part in the conference.
Participants discussed existing problems and the possibility of creating an inclusive and equitable environment for people with Down Syndrome.
World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated on 21 March and has been held for 18 years. This year, its slogan is #StandWithUs.
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PARLIAMENT DELIBERATING DRAFT DEFENSE CODE OF GEORGIA
The Parliament deliberated the draft Defense Code presented by the Government of Georgia as a legislative initiative, aimed at increasing the effectiveness of the management of the defense forces and preparing a unified codified legal act in the field of defense, thus reregulating the issues related to the organization and activity of the Defense Ministry and the military service.
The speaker, Deputy Minister of Defense, Grigol Giorgadze, elaborated on the main reforms and new approaches of the system, which the mentioned document envisages.As the speaker clarified, the Code is focused on the new rules of military service tailored to the defense goals and improving the social guarantees of the persons employed in the system of the Ministry of Defense.
The Draft re-titles the mandatory military service into the “national military service of conscripts” and reduces the term of service for the conscripts, namely – the 12-month service shall be replaced with the differentiated terms: 6 months for serving in the combat unit; 8 months – in the defense or security unit; and 11 months – for preliminarily determined majors. The conscription shall be ensured by providing the priorities of the Ministry. The conscripts may serve only in the system of the Ministry.
The recruitment will be carried out taking into account the priorities of the Ministry.
The draft of amendments, which was prepared on the basis of the model of the Finnish and Baltic countries, provides a one-time possibility of postponement of military service, and it also provides conditions for alternative military service.
"The Code re-regulates the military reform adjusting it to the defense objectives and establishes significant social guarantees for the military personnel and creates the effective legal mechanisms for interoperability with NATO defense standards”, - the Deputy Minister of Defense, Grigol Giorgadze remarked.
As an alternative to the draft Defense Code, MP Aleksandre Rakviashvili presented a legislative package.
He claims that if the supplied document is used as a foundation, the system will undergo certain adjustments.
As a result of the voting, the legislative package will ultimately be evaluated in light of the document provided by the Government's legislative proposal, which received support from 69 MPs.
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EU disburses another €1.5 billion in macro-financial assistance to Ukraine
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced today that the European Union has disbursed another €1.5 billion in macro-financial assistance to Ukraine.
“Our support helps keep Ukraine running, while defending itself,” wrote von der Leyen on Twitter. “And puts Ukraine firmly on its EU path by supporting reforms – good governance and financial stability, for example.”
On 17 January, the European Union disbursed the first €3 billion of the €18 billion of promised macro-financial assistance agreed in December 2022.
This emergency assistance aims to provide short-term financial relief, financing Ukraine’s immediate needs, rehabilitation of critical infrastructure and initial support towards sustainable post-war reconstruction, with a view to supporting Ukraine on its path towards European integration. The loans will have a 10-year grace period.
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