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• Statement on International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls

  This joint statement is issued by the United Nations system in Georgia, the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the NATO Liaison Office in Georgia, and the Embassies to Georgia of Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

  On this International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls, we call for action to end violence against women and girls in all its forms – from sexual harassment and abuse to child marriage and  femicide. Globally, nearly one in three women have experienced physical or sexual violence at least once, the majority of them assaulted by their husband or partner.[1] In Georgia, violence against women and girls remains a critical problem despite decisive steps taken by the government and civil society to combat these horrific human rights violations. Such violence is rooted in gender inequality and is in turn further perpetuating discrimination of women and girls. As a result, our societies are less peaceful and less just, and our economies are less prosperous.

  Eliminating violence against women and girls will require strengthening and enforcing legislation and policies to protect their rights and to promote gender equality, to ensure full protection and support to survivors of violence, and to end impunity for all perpetrators. To make this happen, it is vital to raise awareness and promote women’s leadership at every stage of decision-making. We especially emphasize the urgent need to take concrete steps in order to eliminate violence against women in politics, which prevents women’s meaningful participation in Georgian democracy. According to the latest data, 54 per cent of female candidates have experienced physical, psychological, economic, or sexual violence and harassment during their election campaigns or political careers.[2] Sexist hate speech is often used against women politicians in social media, including attacks based on their gender identity, appearance, intellectual abilities, and moral criteria.[3]

  Economic violence is one of the most hidden forms of violence in Georgia, forcing the victim to stay with the perpetrator. Challenges remain in reducing the gender pay gap[4], women’s equal access to financial resources, inheritance rights, employment opportunities, recognizing and redistributing unpaid and care work. Improving child protection systems, access to education and adolescent-friendly health services is of paramount importance to combat violence against girls.

  We call on all stakeholders, including political parties, the government, civil society organizations and the media to work towards a future where women are empowered to participate fully and equally in economic, social and political life, without fear of violence or harassment.

  ___________________

  [1] Facts and figures: Ending violence against women, available at: https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/facts-and-figures

  [2] Violence Against Women in Politics in Georgia, available at: https://georgia.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2023/08/violence-against-women-in-politics-in-georgia

  [3] Election Monitoring Report: Sexism and Gender Stereotypes in Social Media, available at: https://www.undp.org/georgia/publications/gender-bias-social-media-2020

  [4] In 2022 the adjusted hourly gender pay gap equaled 15.4%. The same indicator calculated at the monthly level equaled 23.0%, available at: https://www.geostat.ge/media/57459/Adjusted-gender-pay-gap---2022.pdf 

• Statement of the United Nations in Georgia regarding the draft laws on amendments to the Tobacco Control Law

  

  The UN in Georgia maintains that the draft laws initiated in the Georgian Parliament on October 16, 2023 is damaging to public health. The proposed changes seek to exclude heated tobacco products from standardized packaging regulations, extend the sale of tobacco products with old packaging for another eight months, and modify the requirement to display brand and variant information in the state language of Georgia, by allowing also display in English.

  Protecting public health and effective tobacco control policy are paramount. Governments must act to protect public health policies from tobacco industry interference as per Art. 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Allowing these changes would prioritize the financial interests of tobacco companies over the interest of public health.

  Almost one-third of adults and a substantial portion of adolescents and young people in Georgia are using tobacco. Tobacco-related direct healthcare costs and indirect costs due to premature mortality and disability and workplace costs exceed 800 million GEL annually, with the number of deaths surpassing 11,000[1]. Addressing this situation necessitates long-term and steadfast implementation of comprehensive and effective tobacco control policies. Georgia took a positive step with the adoption of strong tobacco control legislation in 2017, which yielded initial results through effective implementation. However, to achieve a sustained reduction in tobacco use rates and mitigate its catastrophic impact, full implementation and further strengthening of tobacco control legislation and state policies are required.

  Standardized packaging regulations under the new tobacco control legislation were originally intended to take effect on January 1, 2018, then unfortunately postponed to December 31, 2022, and subsequently extended once more to July 1, 2024. This delay and other proposed changes are unjustifiable and further delays the demonstrable benefits that plain packaging provides.

  As of today, many countries in Europe and globally have demonstrated that plain packaging is an effective tobacco control measure. It reduces the appeal of tobacco products, enhances the impact of health warnings, diminishes consumer deception, and ultimately reduces tobacco consumption rates.

  We urge the Parliament of Georgia  to reject the proposed  changes and we hope that it will continue the policy announced at the highest level in the field of health protection and tobacco control, protect the legislation from the interests of the tobacco industry, including the implementation of standardized packaging of tobacco products.

  ---

  [1] UNDP/WHO/NCDC Tobacco Control Investment Case study, 2017

• THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF TURKMENISTAN DELIVERED A SPEECH AT THE “CENTRAL ASIA - EU” MEETING

  

  On October 23, 2023, in Luxembourg, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov took part in the 19th ministerial meeting “Central Asia - European Union”. In his statement, he highlighted the main areas of cooperation with the EU and priorities in interaction, which are aimed at the long term.

  First, the importance of maintaining international peace and security is emphasized. In this context, the head of Foreign ministry especially drew attention to the initiative to develop a Global Security Strategy put forward by the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly. The Turkmen diplomat informed about the main directions of this Strategy, focused on preventive diplomacy, using neutrality for peaceful solutions and restoring trust and dialogue.

  Second, issues of economic cooperation with the EU are highlighted. In this regard, the minister emphasized the importance of interregional trade, economic and financial partnership. He noted the EU's support in strengthening transit links and developing the private sector in Central Asia. The Foreign minister also touched upon the issue of Turkmenistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization and the need for further interaction with European partners in this direction.

  Third, noting the important role of creating new transport links connecting Central Asia and Europe, R.Meredov highlighted multilateral efforts to develop the Caspian Sea-Black Sea route. A proposal was put forward to hold a high-level meeting in Turkmenistan in 2024 to further strengthen transport connectivity.

  Fourth, speaking about cooperation in the energy sector, the Turkmen diplomat indicated that the transportation of energy resources is of crucial importance for Turkmenistan. Particular emphasis was placed on expanding gas exports to Europe through the Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline and promoting international cooperation in the clean and renewable energy sectors. In this context, the head of the Foreign ministry called for support for two UN General Assembly resolutions initiated by Turkmenistan on sustainable transport and on the mobility of energy resources.

  Fifth, the minister reaffirmed Turkmenistan’s commitment to environmental protection and mitigation of climate change. He spoke about national programs such as the “Green Belt” and voiced the head of state’s proposal to create a Regional Center for Climate Technologies in Ashgabat to solve the problem of climate change.

  Sixth, again noting the importance of education as the basis of the country’s socio-economic development, R.Meredov highly appreciated the EU Erasmus + program and proposed strengthening ties between Turkmen and European educational institutions.

  In conclusion, the Minister emphasized the huge potential for interaction in various sectors, including healthcare and the digital economy.

  As a result of the ministerial meeting in Luxembourg, the Joint Roadmap for deepening ties between the EU and Central Asia, as well as the Joint Communiqué of the 19th EU-Central Asia Ministerial Meeting, were adopted.

  The participating countries of the format supported the holding of the next anniversary ministerial meeting “Central Asia - EU” in 2024 in Turkmenistan.

• MEETING OF THE FOREIGN MINISTERS OF TURKMENISTAN AND ROMANIA

  

  On October 23, 2023, in the framework of participation in the 19th ministerial meeting “Central Asia - European Union”, bilateral negotiations were held between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania Luminita Odobescu.

  At the beginning of the conversation, L.Odobescu emphasized the role of Central Asia as a key partner of Romania. It was noted that the country acts as a link that strengthens cooperation between the Central Asian region and the EU. Turkmenistan was named one of Romania’s priority partners in the region.

  Considering the political and diplomatic aspects of interaction, R.Meredov drew attention to the history of bilateral relations. The importance of the first visit of the President of Turkmenistan to Romania in 2008 was emphasized, which laid the foundation for further cooperation.

  The parties recognized the importance of mutual support in the international space. In particular, the Turkmen side expressed gratitude to Romania for its support in the adoption of resolutions of the UN General Assembly initiated by Turkmenistan.

  In the field of trade and economic cooperation, the main attention was paid to the potential of joint projects, including the fields of transport and energy. In this context, the parties especially noted cooperation within the framework of the Working Group on Energy. The importance of the Caspian Sea - Black Sea transport corridor was emphasized.

  The parties confirmed their interest in continuing cooperation in the field of digitalization.

  During the conversation, issues of humanitarian cooperation were discussed. Particular attention is paid to issues of interaction in the field of education, as well as exchange programs in this direction. Currently, about 300 Turkmen students are studying in Romania. The commitment to partnership in this direction was reinforced by the Cooperation Program signed in 2023 between the ministries of education of both countries. In addition, the Turkmen side confirmed the importance of short-term diplomatic training for young diplomats at the Nicolae Titulescu University.

  Concluding the meeting, the ministers signed an Action Plan for 2024-2025 between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania. This document is an expression of common aspirations to further strengthen interaction between the foreign ministries of the two countries.

• ABOUT THE MEETING OF THE HEADS OF FOREIGN MINISTRIES OF TURKMENISTAN AND AUSTRIA

  

  On October 23, 2023, on the sidelines of the Central Asia-EU ministerial meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov met with the Federal Minister of European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria Alexander Schallenberg.

  During the negotiations, the parties discussed the state and prospects for the development of bilateral relations. Emphasizing the dynamic nature of relations between the two countries, the importance of interaction at international platforms, in particular at the UN, was noted. In this context, R.Meredov expressed gratitude to the Austrian side for supporting the neutrality status of Turkmenistan.

  Attention was also paid to UN resolutions initiated by Turkmenistan over the past 16 years. These resolutions focus on issues of sustainable transport, the role of energy, ecology, global and regional security. At the same time, A.Schallenberg noted the importance of Turkmenistan’s active diplomatic position and peace-loving initiatives.

  An important topic of the meeting was the role of Central Asia in the OSCE, in connection with which Turkmenistan confirmed its readiness to actively cooperate and support the activities of the organization.

  During the conversation, R.Meredov presented the key initiatives of Turkmenistan put forward at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, highlighting the Global Security Strategy and its principles.

  Considering the ways of trade and economic relations, the visit of the Austrian business delegation to Turkmenistan in December 2023 was discussed.

  The discussion of regional security particularly focused on cooperation between Turkmenistan and Afghanistan. In the framework of the exchange of views on the implementation of humanitarian and economic projects, the parties expressed a common interest in the stabilization and prosperity of a peaceful Afghanistan.