As the Russia-Ukraine conflict rages into the third month with no sign of truce any time soon, the entire European continent is bearing the brunt of the crisis. #GLOBALink

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Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Levan Davitashvili held a meeting with the Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan for International Affairs, Erzhan Kazykhanov and his associates.

According to the administration of the Ministry of Economics, deputy Ministers of Economy and Sustainable Development, Guram Guramishvili and Genadi Arveladze as well as General Director of JSC Georgian Railway, Davit Peradze also attended the meeting.

Trade, economic, transport and logistical cooperation between Georgia and Kazakhstan were discussed at the meeting. It was noted that the economic relations between the countries are characterized by growing dynamics, although the potential for expansion of cooperation is much larger.

When discussing transport and logistics links, the parties stressed the need for coordinated work to attract cargo flows through the transport corridor to Kazakhstan and Georgia. It was noted that Georgia’s transport infrastructure is as ready as possible to transport cargo to Kazakhstan and Central Asia, in general.

The Kazakh side expressed interest in increasing the cargo turnover in the corridor to Georgia. It was noted that in 2022 Kazakhstan plans to transport 2-3 million tons of oil through the Georgian corridor, while in the coming years it is planned to further increase this figure.

The parties agreed to make joint efforts to attract and serve the transportation of goods in the transport corridors through Georgia and Kazakhstan in the long run.

On the eve of World Press Freedom Day tomorrow, EU High Representative Josep Borrell has congratulated brave journalists, camera crews, reporters, photographers and bloggers on behalf of the EU, saying that they are “risking their lives to keep us informed about Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine”.

“Russian forces are detaining, abducting or kidnapping and targeting journalists and civil society actors to prevent the world from hearing the truth,” J. Borrell said. “We strongly urge the Russian Federation to immediately stop such attacks and practices.” 

According to the Council of Europe platform for the protection of journalism and safety of journalists, ten Ukrainian and international media workers have already been killed, and many others were wounded.

J. Borrell said the safety of journalists was an EU priority,adding that the EU is providing emergency support to media outlets and journalists covering the war in Ukraine, including psychological support, helmets and other protective equipment, as well as financing to cover salaries.

“By reporting from the front lines and shedding light on the gross human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law committed by the Russian armed forces, journalists importantly contribute to counter disinformation and information manipulation surrounding the invasion,” said J. Borrell. “They play a crucial role in ensuring that these atrocities do not remain unpunished.”

J. Borrell also noted the courage of independent journalists in Russia and Belarus, who are trying to convey accurate information about Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Source: https://euneighbourseast.eu/news-and-stories/latest-news/world-press-freedom-day-eu-urges-russia-to-stop-attacks-on-journalists/

In today's China Explainer, let's look at how special-purpose bonds, an important propeller of China's 2022 fiscal policies, play a key role in stabilizing its economy and employment.

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On 2 May, the Deputy Foreign Minister, Teimuraz Janjalia met with members of the Finnish parliamentary delegation headed by Matthias Martinen, Chairman of the Friendship Group with the Parliament of Georgia.
Highlighting the close, friendly Georgian-Finnish relations based on the common fight for independence and freedom of choice, as well as on the shared European values, the sides  welcomed the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. They also noted with satisfaction the close inter-parliamentary ties and fruitful cooperation in the fight against hybrid threats.
The Deputy Minister spoke about the importance of maintaining political dialogue at a regular level. In this context, he emphasized the need to carry out planned high-level visits, to ensure a closer dialogue with European regional formats, including with the Nordic-Baltic Eight.
Reviewing the progress made by Georgia on the path of irreversible integration with the European Union, Teimuraz Janjalia noted Georgia's interest in ensuring deeper economic integration and sectoral cooperation with the European Union, including in the field of renewable energy and the environment.
The Deputy Foreign Minister briefed the Finnish side on Georgia's support for Ukraine, both in the humanitarian field and within international organizations by aligning with a number of resolutions or statements in support of Ukraine. He reaffirmed that Georgia will continue its unwavering support for the brotherly Ukrainian nation. Against the background of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Teimuraz Janjalia stressed the security challenges facing the region and the creeping occupation and the dire humanitarian situation in the occupied territories of Georgia. He noted the need for the international community’s greater involvement in ensuring lasting peace and stability in the region.
The Finnish MPs, in turn, focused on the ongoing debate on security policy in Finland, including in terms of the country’s possible membership in NATO. They emphasized the importance of ensuring close political dialogue in the light of changes affecting the European security architecture. They noted the importance of European countries’ unanimous position  in the face of the Russia-Ukraine war and their strong support for Ukraine.
The Finnish side reaffirmed Finland's unwavering support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as for the country's EU integration and the European Reform Agenda.

MFA of Georgia

• Natia Abramia- Manager of Quality Control and Risk Management for the British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC. She has 20 years of experience working in Georgian and international media. At various times, since 2006, she has been the Editor of the BBC World News Radio, TV, Online and Social Platforms. After the announcement of the Brexit referendum in 2016, Natia Abramia was the producer of the BBC’s main political show – “Newsnight”. Currently, her job is to optimize the operations and resources of BBC and to increase management efficiency.
• Nana Sajaia- is an award-winning journalist and producer with a focus on the Post-Soviet region. A native of Georgia, currently she is a producer at the Fox News politics unit in the D.C Bureau. Nana has previously worked as an International Broadcaster at the Voice of America Georgian Service, where she covered Georgia and Eurasia-related topics for different media platforms in Georgian and English languages. She has extensively reported on major regional political developments, elections in Georgia and Ukraine, Russia’s occupation of Georgian territories, U.S.-Georgia relations, Eastern European partnership, NATO enlargement, and Kremlin disinformation in the Caucasus and Eurasia. Nana received a BA in English language from Tbilisi State University, and an MA in journalism and media management from Georgian Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA). In 2007 she was selected as a Edmund S. Muskie Graduate Fellow and did her Master’s studies in Journalism and Mass Communication at North Dakota State University. Nana has been practicing journalism for more than ten years now, served as an editor of local publications such as Georgia Today and weekly political magazine Liberali, and has worked for international media outlets in the region such as BBC World Service, France 24, and TOL. Before joining Fox News, Nana was a researcher at PEN American Center – a worldwide association of writers, defending freedom of expression and supporting persecuted writers.
• Lia Chakhunashvili- Over the past 20 years, Lia Chakhunashvili has managed several major media development programs in Georgia, when working at IREX and at BBC World Service Trust. She studied journalism at Tbilisi State University and earned a graduate degree in mass communications at San Jose State University. In 2007-2009, Lia Chakhunashvili was Dean at Caucasus School of Media, Caucasus University, and in 2010-2011 she was a member of the Public Broadcaster Board of Trustees.
• Guram Tsibakhashvili - A photographer. Has been delivering lectures in photography since 1991.  Has participated in up to 60 exhibitions, including up to 20 personal ones. Has published articles on photography and contemporary art. Photo Editor of the Magazine “Amarta” since 1999 - 2007. Co-founder of "Tbilisi Photography House" since 2007. Invited Lecturer on the History of Photography at two Georgian universities (Tbilisi State University, Caucasus University).

I wholeheartedly congratulate every media outlet and journalists on the World Press Freedom Day.

Free and independent press based on true values and professionalism is one of the key features defining democracy of any country. Georgian media has gone a long way since regaining independence and endured many challenges, intimidation and pressure.

Provision of an enabling environment for the independent press has been among our prime goals from day one, when our political team came to power. It has been the aim of numerous reforms that we carried out. The Georgian media landscape is nowadays pluralistic and free. Every condition is created for boosting journalism and its further development. Georgia is an undoubted leader of the region by the World Press Freedom Index and it is ahead of a number of EU member states. It is a great merit of the authorities and society, manifesting in a huge gain for the entire country. Our authorities aspire to facilitate a further development of press freedom in the country.

Over and above, I pledge support and wish you every success in your future professional endeavors.

Irakli Garibashvili

Prime Minister of Georgia