On March 22, 2021, Nino Lomjaria, Public Defender of Georgia, met with Kelly Degnan, Ambassador of the United States of America to Georgia.

The topic of discussion was the situation of human rights in Georgia. The Public Defender also spoke about the challenges faced by the Office, especailly in recent months, and the obstacles that hinder the full implementation of the Public Defender's mandate, for example when paying visits to semi-open prisons.

"Another visit paid by the US Ambassador to the Public Defender’s Office once again confirms the support that has been constantly expressed by the US Government to our Office," Nino Lomjaria said.

“It was a very informative meeting. It's important to have conversations with the Public Defender and find out what they are working on. It is an essential part of a strong democracy to have a Public Defender's Office that is defending the human rights of all the people of Georgia, working to keep transparency and accountability and democracy strong. I was very sorry to hear that there have been some attacks against the Public Defender's Office. That kind of hate speech is a toxic language, especially against an office that is serving the public in such an important way.

The Public Defender's Office also plays such an important role in keeping public officials accountable, something that Georgia needs to do more; more accountability, more transparency and less hate speech and vicious attacks against others“, the US Ambassador said after the meeting.

Public Defender of Georgia

The Chair of the EU Integration Committee, Maka Botchorishvili held the meeting with the Ambassador of the Czech Republic, H.E. Petr Mikyska.

The diplomat expressed the Czech Republic's unwavering support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as for Georgia's European aspirations.

During the meeting, the Czech Ambassador echoed to Georgia's foreign policy priorities, including the application for EU membership in 2024, noting that full implementation of the Association Agreement in this regard is the right strategy.

The parties underlined the close cooperation between the countries in various fields. For her part, M. Botchorishvili expressed gratitude for the support provided by the Czech Republic to Georgia.

During the meeting, the issue of grasping the DCFTA between Georgia and the European Union was discussed. The sides discussed Georgia's export strategies to the EU and in this regard, and stressed the need for close cooperation between businesses.

M. Botchorishvili and P. Mikyska spoke about the dangers posed by disinformation and hybrid war in Georgia and noted that the support of the EU and partner countries in this direction is very important for the country.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Turkey to Georgia, H.E Fatma Ceren Yazgan introduced a new military attaché to the Minister of Defence of Georgia, Irakli Garibashvili. Colonel Burak Altiner replaced Colonel Bülent Akdeniz on the position of military attaché of the Republic of Turkey to Georgia.

At the meeting Irakli Garibashvili and Fatma Ceren Yazgan talked about bilateral cooperation issues between Georgia and Turkey. Defence Minister expressed appreciation for the material-technical assistance provided by the Turkish Armed Forces and for extensive cooperation in military education sphere. The sides expressed confidence that bilateral interactions between Georgian and Turkish defence establishments will be further enhanced.

Source: https://mod.gov.ge/en/news/read/8011/ambassador-of-turkey-to-georgia-introduced-a-new-military-attaché-to-the-georgian-defence-minister

Perfect Opportunity to Reaffirm U.S. Government Support for Anaklia Port Project

TBILISI, GEORGIA, 13 November 2020 – The Anaklia Development Consortium (ADC) today issued the following statement in advance of the 17-18 November visit to Georgia by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo:

“The Anaklia Development Consortium (ADC) and its investors welcome the visit of U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Georgia, and expect Secretary Pompeo and Ambassador Degnan will express to the Georgian Government their continued support for a port project at Anaklia.”

“It was just last year (11 June 2019) that Secretary Pompeo offered a strong endorsement of support for the Anaklia Project following his meeting with then-Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze, when he told the press:

“I communicated our hope that Georgia completes the (Anaklia) port project. The project and others will enhance Georgia’s relationship with free economies and prevent Georgia from falling prey to Russian or Chinese economic influence. Those pretend friends do not have Georgia’s best interests at heart.”

“The timing and purpose of Secretary Pompeo’s visit invites an examination of the Georgian Government’s purported commitment to seeing through the development of a world-class port at Anaklia. While this commitment was expressed directly to both Secretary Pompeo and Ambassador Degnan, recent developments show that the Georgian Government’s commitment to Anaklia was a hollow one.

“The Georgian Government’s duplicitous and unlawful actions in relation to the Anaklia project has caused considerable financial losses for its U.S., European and Georgian investors and unfortunately now led to international arbitration proceedings being commenced against Georgia, which create a considerable financial risk for the state and will serve to discourage foreign investment in Georgia at a time when Georgia most needs it.

“Beyond the Anaklia project, the actions of the current Government over the past year certainly raise questions about its commitment to implementing meaningful judicial and governance reforms, which are important for increasing foreign investment and strengthening the Georgian economy. 

“We wish Secretary Pompeo all success during his visit to Georgia and his meetings with the Government.”

Further details of the Anaklia Port project and ADC can be found at http://anakliadevelopment.com

On October 2, 2020, the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Georgia held an

International online Conference dedicated to the 25^th Anniversary of Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan and the 75^thAnniversary of the UN.

The Conference was attended by representatives of Diplomatic missions and International Organizations accredited in Georgia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Georgian Technical University, Grigol Robakidze University, Georgian mass media.

Ambassador of Turkmenistan in Georgia Mr.Dovletmyrat Muratov, the UN Resident Coordinator in Georgia Dr.Sabine Machl,  President of Georgia Red Cross Society and the Governing Board Member of IFRC Ms.Natia Loladze, Head of Delegation  of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in South Caucasus Ms.Olga Dzhumaeva, Head of Delegation of International  Committee of  Red Cross (ICRC) in Georgia Ms. Severine Chappaz,

Director of the Center for History, Geopolitics and Economic Research of the Caucasus of the Georgian Technical University Mr.Nikoloz Metreveli, Executive Director of TV 24, Professor, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Political Scientist, Honored Journalist of Georgia Mr.Badri Nachkebia were addressed the conference.

Speakers congratulated Turkmen people on the significant date - 25^th Anniversary of the Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan. They noted that having declared itself to be a neutral State, Turkmenistan adheres to the principles of good-neighbourliness, mutual respect, justice and equality and implements a foreign policy aimed at universal peace, security and well-being throughout the world. It was highlighted that Turkmenistan strongly believes in the future of the UN and will continue to strengthen and build up strategic partnership with this organization, thereby making its contribution to unlocking its inexhaustible potential in the interests of global peace, security and progress.

During the conference, it was also noted that another book of the President of Turkmenistan “Spiritual world of Turkmens” that has been published, will be interesting and useful to a wide readership.

Conference’s participants were shown a video dedicated to the 25^th Anniversary of Turkmenistan’s Neutrality.

Tbilisi, 17 September, 2020. The Czech Development Agency continues to support Georgian healthcare system by launching new instrument “Tied Financial Donation”. The first beneficiaries in Georgia are state Republican hospitals in Batumi and Rukhi, which will get Czech medical devices.

A contract was signed today on behalf of the Czech Development Agency by the Ambassador of the Czech Republic in Tbilisi, Mr. Petr Mikyska, Mr. Irakli Gvazava Acting Director of Rukhi Republican hospital and representative of Batumi Republican Hospital to lay foundation for new cooperation.

The two hospitals are newly built and started partial functioning after COVID-19 pandemic hit the country. However, not all the departments have necessary equipment. Recognizing the problem, the aid aims to ensure modern technologies are provided to both hospitals in order to enhance and improve services provided by them.

The new Republican Batumi hospital is designed for 170 beds. For the first time in its history, hospital will offer citizens the service of midwifery and pediatric medical care and Czech products are designed for it. Meanwhile, Rukhi Republican hospital is designed for 220 beds and by getting new equipment, they will improve surgical and intensive care departments.

The new cooperation also involves trainings for hospitals’ staff, provided by Czech professionals, who will share their experience and simplify the use of new technologies. The Czech Republic will continue to support both hospitals in the future.

New equipment will be delivered in two stages before the end of 2020. Total cost amounts to EUR 371 000, from which Batumi Republican hospital will get EUR 186 000 and Rukhi Republican hospital EUR 185 000.

"Czech contribution in monitoring COVID-19 in Georgia was invaluable and hugely important” - Georgia’s Health Minister Ekaterine Tikaradze praised the Czech Republic’s contribution during Friday meeting with the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Georgia, H.E. Petr Mikyska as the Georgian and Czech sides met to discuss various aspects of joint collaboration.

In return, Ambassador Mikyska highlighted Georgia's notable success in dealing with the pandemic, saying that Georgia is "Deservedly considered among the best countries worldwide when it comes to combating COVID-19”.

The meeting was also attended by the representatives of the health sector and the Czech non-governmental organization the Caritas Czech Republic in Georgia, which presented two new projects: “Way to Home: Development of Adult Alternative Social Services in Georgia” and “Support to Primary Healthcare Strengthening in Georgia (Phase II)”, funded with more than 2 million euro from Czech Development Cooperation.