The European Parliament will vote visa liberalization issue for Georgian citizens at plenary session at February 2. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it is said in the European Parliament’s February agenda.
As you know, LIBE Committee supported visa free regime for Georgian citizens. 45 deputies participated in the voting. Only 2 deputies came against visa liberalization for Georgia. The Plenary session will hold in February.
Coreper confirmed an achieved agreement with European Parliament at 13 of December, 2016. As it is reported, Georgian citizens will allowed in Schengen Zone without visas in the nearest future.

At the beginning of the Spring Session of Parliament, the President will be listened. According to the Constitution of Georgia, speech of President is considered once in a year. 
According to the Rules of Procedure, it usually takes place on the first day of the spring session. The spring session will open at February 7. 

Nine completely innovative ideas and fully-funded ventures have been added to the most viable sector of Georgian economy - the high-tech and innovations-based industry. The authors of the winning projects of the second stage of "Startup Georgia" were awarded today.
Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili attended the ceremony. The Prime Minister considers "Startup Georgia" to be a completely new step in the direction of creating a novel Georgia and a fresh Georgian economy.
"This leads to the transformation of the economy and shifting people's mindset towards the entrepreneurship. This will ensure that individuals become employers rather than mere employees. This is the main implication of this groundbreaking project," - the Prime Minister commented and indicated that establishment of the "Startup Georgia" Fund is the main achievement of the Government.
The Prime Minister also congratulated 9 winning entrepreneurs, who were bold enough to venture completely new ideas for the purpose of acquiring the funding. The Prime Minister urged young people never to think of others who have already implemented similar ideas or of that realization of their innovations is not worth it.
"It is always worth it! Even if only one step out of 10 or 100 ones that you take turns our to be correct, it is still worth it - since said step might completely alter our economy. That is why I consider this project to be completely outstanding and I would like to particularly congratulate you," - the Prime Minister noted in his address to the winners.
Giorgi Kvirikashvili also thanked all stakeholders who contributed to the implementation of the initiative, including the Ministry of Economy and Georgia's Innovation and Technology Agency as well as Partnership Fund and young generation, who vigorously engaged in the process of realization of this important idea.
"This is a completely new step in the direction of creating novel Georgia and fresh Georgian economy," - the Prime Minister stated.
According to the head of the Government, funding of a qualitatively novel ventures is a new opportunity for younger generation to obtain funding without having to apply for the collateral loans.
"The contest took place in a completely transparent environment. Foreign experts from California and Europe with a specific field-related backgrounds also participated in the selection process. This is a qualitative change of our economy that is rooted in encouragement of the most rapidly developing sectors. The most important outcome of the said endeavour is shifting younger generation's mindset towards becoming employers rather than mere employees fro the very beginning," - the Prime Minister noted in his conversation with the reporters.
The total amount of awards issued to the nine winning projects is around 900 000 GEL. Winning projects mainly concentrate on tourism, agriculture, chemical industry, production of construction materials and other areas.

The direct air link to be established between Georgia and India. This statement was made by the Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze at Parliament. According to him, this agreement was made with Indian side during the visit with Indian Delegation.
"We have very active relations with India. My deputy Zviad Gonadze returned from India today. We talk about direct air traffic, innovation, trade, education and cooperation "- Janelidze said.

"On behalf of the Government of Georgia, I strictly condemn the series of terrorist attacks occurring in Turkey in the recent past and express solidarity with the families of the victims, people and authorities of the Republic of Turkey" noted H.E. Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia in his conversation with H.E. Binali Yildirim, Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey held at Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul today.
Discussions were focused on the significance of the strategic partnership between the two countries. It was noted at the meeting that Republic of Turkey and Georgia have been developing the cooperation in various directions with a shared effort for a great number of years. Parties spoke about the significance of the Eurasia Tunnel Project, which is officially launched today. In the opinion of the Prime Minister of Georgia, tunnel connecting the continents of Europe and Asia creates new transport opportunities and gives rise to a significant role of the initiative with a revisiting concept on the Silk Road. Focus has been made on the current trade and economic relations existing between the two countries and prospects for their further advancement. Hosting Prime Minister invited the visiting colleague and delegation of Georgia to a business lunch after the official meeting in Istanbul.

Georgian Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze has attended the reception evening dedicated to Qatar’s national holiday. Mikheil Janelidze appeared with a speech before the attending audience congratulating the State of Qatar and the Qatari people on their national holiday.  
According to the Minister, the relations between the two countries are successful and co-operation between the Foreign Ministries, as well as various line ministries have gained a fresh momentum.
“Qatar’s business interest in Georgia keeps rising and relations between the private sectors of Georgia and Qatar are gradually strengthening. Introduction of direct flights between the two countries is worthy of special mention, in this context. It is a very important decision which will be put into practice tomorrow. Such direct flights to be performed three times a week create far greater prospects for the development of people-to-people contacts, for closer ties between business communities, which, I hope will become even more intensive in the future and will be followed by concrete projects” – the Minister said. At the end of the meeting Mikheil Janelidze thanked the Embassy of Qatar to Georgia for its contribution to the further development of relations between the two countries.