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• The Delegation of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia pays al visit to Switzerland

  Under the support of the Swiss Development Agency, the Delegation of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia paid a visit to Switzerland. During the visit, the Swiss side shared its experience regarding the effective functioning of the agricultural extension system in the country.

  According to the administration of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, the meetings were held at the Bern University of Applied Sciences, the Department of Agriculture, the School of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Sciences (HAFL) and the relevant services of the local cantons.

  The visit was organized by the United Nations Development Programme "Modernization of the Vocational Education and Training and Extension Systems related to Agriculture in Georgia" project.

  "The experience of the Swiss side was very interesting for us. we got information about agricultural knowledge and innovation systems and professional and graduate programs in the respective area at the Bern University of Applied Sciences. As we are all aware, the education system in Switzerland is at an exceptionally high level, namely, Swiss Smart Farming has both professional and undergraduate programs. In addition, there are studies, the results of which are actively implemented through the extension service.
  The agricultural extension service is also gradually developing in our country; meanwhile, it is important to strengthen vocational education. The sharing experience of the Swiss side assured us once again that we are going in the right way and we should continue this process", said the Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. Solomon Pavliashvili.

  During the visit, the members of the delegation got acquainted with the rural development strategies that contribute to the improvement of farmers' skills and knowledge; also they got information about the rural development programs implemented by the state to provide financial support for farmers; the sides shared experience on the training and retraining programs for extension specialists, existing mechanisms for spreading knowledge among farmers and the Swiss model of Public Private Partnership (PPP), climate-smart agriculture approaches etc.

• New program provides financial and technical support to women in the Marneuli and Lagodekhi Municipalities

  The Rural Development Agency is launching a new program, providing financial and technical support to women, who are willing to set up a greenhouse in the Marneuli and Lagodekhi Municipalities. 

  According to the administration of the Rural Development Agency, the program aims to integrate economically inactive women from Marneuli and Lagodekhi municipalities and help them to become full-fledged members of society, improve their socio-economic status and stimulate women's involvement in agricultural activities.

  The pilot program was developed within the framework of the UN Women project " Women’s Economic Empowerment in the South Caucasus". The Swiss and Austrian Development and Cooperation Agencies funded the project.
  The total budget of the program amounts to USD 300,000, out of which USD 240,000 is donor financial resources, and USD 60,000 – is the participation of the Rural Development Agency.
  According to the program, female beneficiaries will have the opportunity to set up a greenhouse on a small plot of land and produce agricultural products throughout the year for further sale.
  The financing of the Agency shall be not more than 90%, not more than GEL 25,000 per beneficiary for setting up a greenhouse. Under the program, the plot of at least 200 square meters will be financed for the arrangement/building of a greenhouse.
  The potential beneficiary can be an adult woman, not more than 60 years old, who owns or co-owns a plot of land not exceeding 5,000  square meters.
  Within the program, technical assistance will be provided to the beneficiaries - a theoretical course on greenhouse management and maintenance of specific crops, also practical training for specific crops.
  The priority will be given to those women who have the status of socially vulnerable or have a minor child(ren)while reviewing applications of the potential beneficiaries. 

   

• Armenia-Azerbaijan: EU calls for immediate cessation of hostilities along Line of Contact

  The European Union has called for an immediate cessation of the hostilities which have broken out between Azerbaijani and Armenian forces around the Lachin corridor and other places along the Line of Contact. “Regrettably, these clashes already led to loss of life and injuries,” said a statement issued on 3 August.

  “It is essential to de-escalate, fully respect the ceasefire and return to the negotiating table to seek negotiated solutions,” the statement added.

  “The European Union remains committed to help overcome tensions and continue its engagement towards sustainable peace and stability in the South Caucasus,” it concluded.

  Find out more

  Press release

• EU faces a difficult choice – where the pendulum will swing?

  European Commission is drawing closer to presenting its opinion on candidate status to Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova – members of the Association Trio. Meanwhile, questions and suggestions are mounting how to proceed in this way to find a “golden mean” amidst the war in Ukraine and highly unpredictable geostrategic context.

  The stakes are high and considering all circumstances the European Union (EU) faces a difficult but historical decision. While, it is premature to talk in which direction the scales will swing, it’s evident that either negative or some intermediary decision about on any of the applicant state, will significantly affect their geopolitical future in the short and mid-term perspective.  What about Georgia – the sole strategic ally of the West in the South Caucasus, the situation with regard to the status, still remains unclear. While we watch Ukraine as arena of a brutal geopolitical competition between the West and Russia on the European theater, Georgia remains another arena of geopolitical rivalry between Russia and the West. The absence of war nowadays, doesn’t mean it will not be unleashed tomorrow, if Russia finds Georgia alienated by the West. Thus, it's safe to say that EU candidate status for Georgia is highly likely to strengthen the EU foothold in the region and have a far-reaching influence on the other states of the region.   

  Before the pendant conclusion of the European Commission about candidate status for Georgia some opinions are present  both in Georgia and outside  calling the EU on either refraining from granting the status to Georgia, or suggesting something transitional. These suggestions are largely generated by ongoing domestic political infighting in the country. 

  The benefits from granting candidate status to Georgia, which considerably outstrips other members of the Association Trio by the pace of fulfillment of the components of the EU Association Agreement appeared to be far more tangible, than conditional gains in case of refusal.

  Let's put the questions specifically and directly. Whether it’s a prudent step to hold Georgia back from the candidate status, as some groups argue, and detach it somehow from the Association Trio in this truly extraordinary situation?  

  What will the EU gain and what will it lose if decides to grant candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova, and say "NO" to Georgia, or give it something different? Hardly this “cold shower” from the EU would contribute to political stability in Georgia, which is apparently important for the EU in this turbulent geopolitical environment.  Georgia’s opposition groups and their supporters are highly likely to use this “NO” to embark on mass anti-governmental protests and Georgia is expected to plunge into another cycle of confrontation, turbulence, and uncertainty, with the ensuing consequences. It’s hard to imagine that the EU would be satisfied with such state of affairs in its key partner in the region.

  Refusal to grant Georgia candidate status under any plausible pretext, can significantly increase not only Euro-skepticism but outright anti-Western sentiments in a sizeable part of Georgian society, providing anti-Western forces with an excellent opportunity to increase their influence and strengthen their stance. Nowadays, they are quite industrious in creating an anti-European atmosphere in society. Will the EU be satisfied with this perspective?

  Pinning hope that the refusal to give a candidate’s status will force Georgia’s ruling party to become more malleable to the EU demands looks unconvinced. Quite the contrary, the care for its own political future, will make the current government far more dutybound to implement the EU-recommended reforms. The idea cultivated by some Georgian and foreign pundits and politicians that Georgia will better meet EU standards under the new government after the pre-term elections, looks rather emotional than well-calculated. If consider the balance of political powers in Georgia, as well as composition of the current political landscape, this scenario looks unrealistic.

  And, last but not least,the status of the candidate for EU membership is not an act of mercy for Georgia. It will give the country a strong and unequivocal signal from the EU to take the road to justice, peace and security, or be faced, even more than before, with tension and confrontation that would not be in the interests of any party. It’s time for making extraordinary but geopolitically far-sighted decisions.

  Zaal Anjaparidze, political analyst, Tbilisi, Georgia

• GLOBALink | Chinese pianist Lang Lang gives solo performance in Switzerland's Jungfrau

  GENEVA, April 15 (Xinhua) --Chinese pianist Lang Lang gave a solo piano performance in Switzerland's Jungfrau on Thursday, hoping to promote cultural exchanges between China and Europe through classical music.

  Produced by Xinhua Global Service