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• High-level Meeting on Black Sea Submarine Cable Project Held in Tbilisi

  A high-level Steering Committee meeting within the Agreement on Strategic Partnership in the Field of Green Energy Development and Transmission between the Governments of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania and Hungary was held in Tbilisi. The Parties to the Agreement emphasized the importance of cooperation in Green Energy Development and Transmission as well as energy security thus underlining the significance of implementation of the Black Sea Submarine Cable project.

  The Vice Prime Minister of Georgia, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Levan Davitashvili, opened the meeting. Minister of Finance of Georgia Lasha Khutsishvili, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Aleksandre Khvtisiashvili, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary Péter Szijjártó, Director of Azerbaijan Renewable Energy Agency Javid Abdullayev and State Secretary of the Ministry of Energy of Romania, George-Sergiu Niculescu also attended the event. European Union Ambassador to Georgia Paweł Herczyński, Regional Director of the World Bank in the South Caucasus Sebastian Molyneux, General Director of “Georgian State Electric System” Giorgi Gigineishvili and other high-ranking guests also took part in the event.

  The Black Sea Submarine Cable project will be implemented with the support of the Georgian Government and the cooperation of the Georgian and Romanian transmission system operators – “Georgian State Electric System” and “Transelectrica”. On December 17, 2022, an Agreement on Strategic Partnership in the Field of Green Energy Development and Transmission between the Governments of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania and Hungary was signed. One of the important issues of the Agreement was the Black Sea Submarine Cable project – upon the implementation of the project, a 1195-kilometer cable will connect Georgia and Romania (1100 km underwater and 95 km on-land cable). The Cable will allow the countries of the South Caucasus and Romania to take advantage of expanded export opportunities and trade based on the hourly prices of the electricity market.

  The Black Sea Submarine Cable is a strategic project and a great investment opportunity for Georgia and its neighbouring countries. It will contribute to the development of the renewable energy sector, increase transit opportunities and bilateral trade potential between the EU and the South Caucasus region, which in turn will ensure a sustainable and reliable energy future for the regions.

  At this stage, "Georgian State Electric System" with the help of consulting company CESI is carrying out a feasibility study of the project. In the future, within the framework of the project, environmental and social impact assessment and geophysical and geotechnical studies of the Black Sea bottom will also be carried out. The possibilities and best ways of practical implementation of the project will also be determined. The committee will review a presentation prepared by CESI outlining ongoing and planned activities within the feasibility study.

  Next meeting of the Steering Committee established within the frame of the Agreement on Strategic Partnership in the Field of Green Energy Development and Transmission between the Governments of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania and Hungary will be held in Bucharest. 

• MEETING OF SHALVA PAPUASHVILI WITH THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE OF THE SENATE OF SPAIN

  The Speaker, H.E. Shalva Papuashvili held a meeting with the members of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Senate of the Kingdom of Spain; at the meeting, the Georgia-Spain close cooperation has been positively estimated.

  The Speaker expressed his gratitude to Spain for supporting the territorial integrity and European aspirations of Georgia.

  “We highly appreciate the assistance and support of Spain in terms of the facilitation of our territorial integrity and the non-recognition policy. The support of Spain is expressed not only in words but in deeds by participating in the EU Monitoring Mission”, - Speaker Papuashvili noted and dwelt on the progress of Georgia in compliance with the EU recommendations hoping that the Parliament will have fulfilled all the recommendations within the spring session.

  According to the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Antonio Gutiérrez Limones, the Spanish Delegation is composed of members of various political groups, though all of them strongly support the EU candidacy for Georgia.

  “When Spain assigns the EU presidency in the second half of 2023, it will serve as an additional trigger for granting the EU candidacy to Georgia, which is the will of the President of the Senate of the Kingdom of Spain as well. We recognize Georgia as a part of Europe”, - he stated.

• THE MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS SIGNED AN AGREEMENT WITH THE FRENCH COMPANY ”AIRBUS HELICOPTERS” FOR THE PURPOSE OF PURCHASING 3 NEW HELICOPTERS

  At the Ministry of Internal Affairs, an agreement was signed with the French company "Airbus Helicopters" for the purchase of 3 new helicopters. From the Georgian side, the agreement was signed by the head of the Border Police - Nikoloz Sharadze, and Romain Lana - the representative of "Airbus Helicopters", from the side of the supplying company.

  In coordination with Georgian Government, in order to further enhance the capabilities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the border police will purchase 3 "H145" type helicopters. After several months of negotiations with „Airbus“, the total cost of the project is approximately 26,500,000 euros.

  According to the terms of the agreement, AS332 L1e S/N 2833 (Super Puma) helicopter purchased for Georgian high officials several years ago will be handed over to “Airbus Helicopters” by the Georgian side. By privatizing „Super Puma“ helicopter, the cost for the purchase of new "H145 helicopters will be saved by 5,500,000 euros.

  "H145" is a multipurpose helicopter with a capacity to perform police, transport, search and rescue operations. The new helicopters will be fully equipped with firefighting and mountain rescue equipment. With two functional engines, the flight safety of helicopters is even more increased. The mentioned type of helicopter is distinguished by the ability to operate and maneuver at high altitude, considering the mountainous terrain of Georgia, and is fully suitable for the existing tasks.

  "H145" is one of the latest models of "Airbus", which is successfully operated by the police and emergency management services of Germany, Switzerland, France, Canada and other states.

  According to the agreement signed in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the first helicopter will be delivered to the Georgian side 17 months after signing the contract, while all three of them will be in Georgia in 20 months, in full flight condition. Along with the purchase of new helicopters, the contract also envisions pilot and engineer training courses, spare parts and a 3-year factory warranty.

   

• MEETING OF THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF TURKMENISTAN WITH THE EU SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR CENTRAL ASIA

   

  On December 11, 2022, on the sidelines of the International Conference "Dialogue is a Guarantee of Peace", timed to coincide with the International Day of Neutrality and the 27th anniversary of the Neutrality of Turkmenistan, a meeting was held between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov and the Special Representative of the European Union for Central Asia Teri Hakala.

  During the meeting, a wide range of issues related to the current agenda and further development of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the European Union in a bilateral and multilateral formats was discussed.

  The parties noted the positive dynamics of the joint events held this year, which are rich in content, as well as the intensification of contacts at various levels. In this regard, the European diplomat stressed that Brussels highly appreciates and supports the expansion of an active dialogue with the Turkmen side.

  The officials stated that Turkmenistan and the EU demonstrate the coincidence or similarity of positions on many issues of international and regional politics.

  Speaking about the constructive building of relations between the states of the region, the effectiveness of the established mechanism of cooperation between the EU and the countries of Central Asia was confirmed.

  Diplomats called for strengthening inter-parliamentary ties between Turkmenistan and the EU.

  At the meeting, energy and transport sectors, cooperation in the fight against climate change, in the field of environmental protection and environmental security were also identified as promising areas of cooperation. In this context, the parties agreed on the need to promote specific programs and projects in the areas of vocational education, green energy, environmental protection and ecosystems.

  Discussing the significance of the ongoing events within the framework of the Ashgabat International Week dedicated to the Day of Neutrality of Turkmenistan, T.Hakala stressed that the EU fully supports the pragmatic proposals and initiatives of Turkmenistan, voiced at high-level meetings and at various international platforms, which are aimed at maintaining political and economic stability, strengthening the culture of peace and trust in the regional and global dimension.

• Georgia and ADB signed the Agreement on Fiscal Resilience and Social Security Program

  Agreement has been concluded with Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the implementation of a fiscal resilience and social security program in Georgia. According to the administration of the Ministry of Finance, Georgia and ADB signed the Agreement on Fiscal Resilience and Social Security Program today.

  Document was signed by H.E. Lasha Khutsishvili, Minister of Finance of Georgia and Shane Rosenthal, ADB Regional Director in Georgia.

  Agreement envisages the allocation of financial resources in the volume of 100 million and 190 thousand Euros for the implementation of a Fiscal Resilience and Social Security Program ensuring the sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

  Signatories shared their vision at a meeting held prior to the signing of the agreement on the current situation in the country developing against the background of global challenges. Transit potential and boosted energy security of Georgia, along with its significance was once again highlighted.