Issue #1299

Issue no: 1299

• JUNE 4 - 10, 2021 • PUBLISHED WEEKLY

PRICE: GEL 2.50

In this week’s issue...

Submerged Historic ‘Pompey’s Bridge’ Revealed in Mtskheta NEWS PAGE 2

Communist China Is Bad for Georgia, and It’s Time to Cut Them Out POLITICS PAGE 4

KGroup: Highest Quality Standard in Production of Metal Products BUSINESS PAGE 7

FOCUS

All-in-One Digital System for Animal Health and Food Safety

ON "ZIONISM AGAINST ALL ODDS"

A new book celebrates 30 years of Georgia-Israel-World Jewry relations

SOCIETY PAGE 8

PAGE 9

Corona Updates: NCDC Head Says Peak of 3rd Wave Over, Land Borders Open, Flight Numbers Up

SOCIETY PAGE 10

American Friends of Georgia Presents an Online Auction to Support its Numerous Good Causes

BY TEAM GT

T

he epidemiological situation in Georgia continues to slowly improve and, just like in Europe, numbers of newly detected coronavirus cases are decreasing.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that there have been approximately 3.5 million new cases of coronavirus infection worldwide in the past week, and 78,000 people have died, which is 15% and 7% less compared to the previous week.

Amiran Gamkrelidze, Head of the Georgian National Center for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC), this week announced “the end of the peak of the third wave in the country.” However, he noted that due to opening land borders on June 1 and the lifting of several restrictions, it is vital that all the citizens strictly follow the safety rules to prevent further case increases.

“We can say that the peak of the third wave is over: today, the epidemiological situation in our country is heading towards improvement. But the pace is slow, so we must be very careful,” he

Lisi Topograph - a Modern Residential Area of Private Houses on the Shores of Lisi Lake

CULTURE PAGE 11 CULTURE PAGE 11 Prepared for Georgia Today Business by

Markets As of 31ͲMayͲ2021

BONDS

stated on Wednesday, adding that the intensity of vaccination in the country is gradually increasing and at this time, over 150,000 people in Georgia have been vaccinated.

Naturally, despite the notably improved epidemiological situation, the country’s capital Tbilisi and its largest regions by population, Adjara, Imereti and Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti,

still maintain the leading positions in terms of the virus spread.

On June 1, it was announced that despite having received a vaccination with AstraZeneca, Health Minister Ekaterine Tikaradze had contracted coronavirus. The Minister feels well, is in self-isolation and continues to work remotely.

Continued on page 2

Price

w/w

m/m

Price

w/w

m/m

GRAIL 07/22

107.25 (YTM 1.15%)

+1,2%

+1,3%

Bank of Georgia (BGEO LN)

GBP 13.10

+4,0%

+28,2%

GEBGG 07/23

106.19 (YTM 3.00%)

Ͳ0,1%

Ͳ0,2%

Georgia Capital (CGEO LN)

GBP 6.10

Ͳ3,9%

+8,3%

TBC Bank Group (TBCG LN)

GBP 11.60

+4,7%

+19,1%

GEOCAP 03/24

101.34 (YTM 5.59%)

Ͳ0,0%

Ͳ0,0%

SILNET 04/24

109.44 (YTM 7.25%)

Ͳ0,0%

+0,1%

TBC 06/24

108.05 (YTM 2.97%)

+0,3%

+0,3%

GGU 07/25

105.70 (YTM 6.17%)

Ͳ0,2%

+0,2%

STOCKS

CURRENCIES

Price

w/w

m/m

GEL / USD

3,2587

Ͳ1,5%

Ͳ5,5%

GEL / EUR

3,9900

Ͳ1,2%

Ͳ3,7%

COMMODITIES

Price

w/w

m/m

GEL / GBP

4,6304

Ͳ1,1%

Ͳ2,8%

Crude Oil, Brent (US$/bbl)

69,32

+1,3%

+3,1%

GEL / CHF

3,6260

Ͳ1,8%

Ͳ4,0%

1 906,87

+1,4%

+7,8%

Gold Spot (US$/OZ)

INDICES

Price

w/w

m/m

GEL / RUB

0,0443

na

Ͳ3,3%

GEL / TRY

0,3838

Ͳ2,7%

Ͳ7,6%

GEL / AZN

1,9171

Ͳ1,5%

Ͳ5,5%

7 022,61

Ͳ0,4%

FTSE 250

22 683,95

+0,9%

+0,8%

GEL / UAH

0,1187

Ͳ1,7%

Ͳ4,2%

DAX

15 421,13

Ͳ0,1%

+1,9%

EUR / USD

0,8179

Ͳ0,1%

Ͳ1,7%

DOW JONES

34 529,45

+0,4%

+1,9%

GBP / USD

0,7036

Ͳ0,4%

Ͳ2,8%

NASDAQ

13 748,74

FTSE 100

Ͳ1,5%

GEL / AMD

0,0063

Ͳ1,6%

+0,2%

Ͳ4,5%

Ͳ1,6%

CHF / USD

0,8989

185,41

+2,4%

+9,3%

RUB / USD

73,4315

Ͳ0,1%

Ͳ2,4%

MSCI EM

1 376,21

+3,7%

+2,1%

TRY / USD

8,4918

+1,2%

+2,4%

SP 500

4 204,11

+0,2%

+0,5%

AZN / USD

1,7045

+0,3%

+0,3%

MSCI FM

2 562,60

+2,7%

+3,8%

AMD / USD

520,4400

Ͳ0,0%

+0,1%

MSCI EM EE

+0,6%

+0,8%

2

NEWS

GEORGIA TODAY

JUNE 4 - 10, 2021

Submerged Historic ‘Pompey’s Bridge’ Revealed in Mtskheta

Irakli Khmaladze: Waiting Time for Transport in Tbilisi to be Reduced to 4 Minutes on Average. Source of photo: ghn.ge

Irakli Khmaladze: Waiting Time for Transport in Tbilisi to be Reduced to 4 Minutes on Average

BY KETEVAN SKHIRTLADZE

A

t the presentation of the report on the projects implemented in the field of transport policy, the Vice-Mayor of Tbilisi, Irakli Khmaladze, said that after the full introduction of the new transport network in Tbilisi, the waiting time for public transport will be reduced to 4 minutes on average.

“We have developed and are gradually introducing a new transport network, which has three levels,” Khmaladze said.

“It consists of a fast-moving corridor, connecting two routes from urban and district. 12-meter buses will run on the fast transit corridor and we will add 18-meter buses in the future. On city and local routes there will be 6, 8, and 10-meter buses.

“After the full implementation of this

network, the waiting time will be reduced to a minimum. It will be 4 minutes on average, and the capacity of buses will increase 2.5 times.”

Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze noted that if bus lanes are not arranged, then the implementation of these reforms will be completely meaningless. The problem will not be solved just by buying new buses.

“There is still a serious problem with the waiting time in the city. This is because public transport in the city does not yet have the proper infrastructure.

Of course, bus lanes were marked on some streets, but the main directions that the vice-mayor was talking about are not completely regulated.

“There are times when people have to wait half an hour, 40 minutes, even though we have increased the number of buses and have updated public transport. But that alone cannot be the solution. It needs to be repaired with the appropriate, accompanying infrastructure, which we will definitely do,” he added.

Submerged Historic ‘Pompey’s Bridge’ Seen in Mtskheta. Source: Radio Liberty

BY ANA DUMBADZE

T

he opening of floodgates at a Soviet-era hydroelectric dam north of Tbilisi has lowered the waters of the Mtkvari River, exposing a bridge across an ancient crossing point for archaeologists to study, Radio Liberty reported this week.

The remnants of the bridge are usually submerged and invisible beneath the surface of the river.

“We have unveiled the Pompey Bridge with its various time layers and we have up to 72 hours to take the first steps, for example, to remove the plants from the monument that damage the stone with their roots, and allow archaeologists to carry out preliminary work,” Culture Minister Tea Tsulukiani told the media.

She thanked the private company for the successful cooperation, which was reflected in the fact that the water level in this area was lowered for several days and the bridge was unveiled. Minister Tsulukiani said that larger-scale works

on the bridge, including its conservation, are planned in the future.

Pompey’s Bridge, or the Magi Bridge, is an ancient Roman bridge located in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region of Georgia.

The bridge was built during leading Roman General Pompey’s campaign in Iberia and Colchis which took place in 65 BC. It played an important role in the trade development in this territory, historical sources say.

The bridge was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 as part of the historical monuments of Mtskheta.

whose citizens and residents will be able to cross the Georgian border with a negative PCR result received in the last 72 hours.

carried out by the Greek airline Aegean Airlines.

Initially, flights will be carried out once a week, however, the number of flights will gradually increase during the summer season, the Civil Aviation Agency announced this week.

Athens-Tbilisi-Athens regular flights will be carried out with the following schedule: • From June 3 to October 29 - on Fridays • From July 4 to October 29 - on Fridays and Sundays • From July 21 to October 29 - on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Also starting June 3, Kuwait's low-cost Jazeera Airways will resume flights to Georgia and carry out Kuwait-TbilisiKuwait flights. Initially, flights will be carried out on Thursdays. However, the flight frequency will increase starting June 12, with flights on Thursdays and Saturdays.

Jazeera Airways announced that the flight frequency will gradually be increased until the end of October, with fights carried out four times a week.

Jazeera Airways started operating in the Georgian aviation market in 2018.

Corona Updates: NCDC Head Says Peak of 3rd Wave Over, Land Borders Open, Flight Numbers Up Continued from page 1 Gamkrelidze responded to public concern, saying that people who had received single-dose vaccines, and as well as those who had double-doses, could still be infected.

He noted that in Georgia, the infection rate of people who received a doubledose of vaccine is 0.2 to 0.3%, and 0.8% for single-dose vaccinated people.

“As you know, there is nothing absolute in medicine, so both people who received single-dose vaccines, as well as those who received double-dose vaccines, can be infected, and we already have cases of this. In double vaccinations, it is much less.

“But for the most part, all of these cases had relatively mild symptoms, requiring almost no hospitalization or intensive medical care. Therefore, whether it is a single or double dose of vaccine, the vaccine in general protects people from a severe course of the disease and vastly lowers the mortality rate,” Gamkrelidze said.

Georgia reported 360 coronavirus cases, 1,195 recoveries, and 16 deaths on Monday, with 12,207 tests conducted. Georgian capital Tbilisi recorded the highest number of 200 Covid-19 cases, followed by the Adjara region with 43 cases and the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region with 24 cases.

On Tuesday, as a result of expanded testing (a total of 32,930 tests), the number of detected cases significantly increased, with the country reporting 1233 coronavirus cases, 1002 recoveries, and 31 deaths. Tbilisi recorded the highest number of 676 COVID-19 cases, followed by the Imereti region with 126 cases, and the Adjara region

with 102 cases.

Georgia reported 954 coronavirus cases, 896 recoveries, and 30 deaths on Wednesday, with 30,603 tests conducted across the country. Tbilisi recorded the highest number of 509 COVID-19 cases, followed by the Imereti region with 99 cases and the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region with 88 cases.

On Thursday, the country recorded 833 new cases, 1205 recoveries and 19 deaths, with 28,191 tests conducted.

Test-positivity rates for the recent period are: daily 2.95%, last 14 days 3.16%, the last seven days 2.91%.

The total number of confirmed cases has reached 346,983, among them, 330,721 people recovered and 4853 died. Presently, there are 11,409 active cases of infection in Georgia.

THE VACCINES A total of 155,538 people had been vaccinated in the country as of Thursday, with around 6000 being vaccinated daily.

Georgia expects the first batch of a total 1 million doses of Pfizer in June, first intended for those who need their second dose, followed by the most vulnerable groups.

On Wednesday, WHO gave authorization to the Chinese-made Sinovac vaccine for emergency use, “giving countries, funders, procuring agencies and communities the assurance that it meets international standards for safety, efficacy, and manufacturing,” WHO reps stated.

The Sinovac vaccine is recommended for people over the age of 18 and requires 2 doses at a 2-4-week interval.

Sinovac is the seventh vaccine that WHO has listed for emergency use, along

with Pfizer / BioNTech, AstraZeneca, Serum, Janssen and Moderna, and Sinopharm.

Georgia received 100,000 doses of Sinovac on April 29, which were eagerly snapped up by the Georgian population.

THE RESTRICTIONS In Georgia, from June 1, restaurants and cafes will be able to open to customers inside and out on weekends, following sanitary and distancing restrictions.

Weddings, parties, and celebrations are still banned.

Also from June 1, the night curfew was reduced by an hour, starting at 23:00 and lasting until 04:00, (instead of the previous 05:00).

Giorgi Gibradze, Chief of the Operational Staff at the Interagency Coordination Council, said that the above decision was taken in order to “support the farmers in their activities and in the process of selling agricultural products.”

The curfew has been in force in Georgia since the end of November.

Also from June 1, Georgian authorities decided to reopen the country’s land borders.

“Land borders will be open and it will be possible to cross the border with a full vaccination certificate and a negative PCR test result, or only a negative result of the PCR test performed in the last 72 hours, if these persons will again be tested within the 72 hours after entering Georgia,” Gibradze said.

The Council recommends that all visitors have health insurance which covers COVID cases.

In addition, Canada, Japan, Kuwait, China, South Korea, Moldova and Oman are to be added to the list of countries

AIR TRAFFIC Adjara is preparing for the summer tourist season. The number of flights to the renewed Batumi International Airport is increasing, seeing tourists from Belarus, Israel, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia already visiting the region. From June, LOT Polish Airlines will start regular flights to Batumi (Warsaw - Batumi – Warsaw), Ukraine International Airlines (Kyiv - Batumi – Kyiv), as well as Fly Dubai (Dubai-BatumiDubai) and Air Arabia (Sharjah-BatumiSharjah).

In April, Batumi International Airport restored 60% of the existing flights seen in 2019, and this process is ongoing.

According to the available data, an average of 25 flights a week were operated at Batumi International Airport from Israel, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey during May. Regular air traffic between Georgia and Greece will be resumed on June 3.

Athens - Tbilisi - Athens flights will be

IWG plc, Level 4, 2 Leonidze str. Tbilisi, Georgia | +995 32 290 039

4

POLITICS

GEORGIA TODAY

JUNE 4 - 10, 2021

Communist China Is Bad for Georgia, and It’s Time to Cut Them Out mob, particularly for a small nation such as Georgia.

While Russia and Turkey are expanding in the South Caucasus militarily, China has chosen the alternate route of economic enslavement through large investments and import/export control, undermining any of the competing military or political achievements. In addition, this also ensures longer term control of the region.

Already on a global scale, the slight surface ripples of the undercurrent of CCP actions are becoming more visible.

Media, political, and economic platforms are being probed with their dark tendrils, albeit mostly focused on undermining the United States. Georgia is still, as a member of the West, a viable target and will not be left untouched by the CCP globalization strategy.

This all began after the rise of Communist China, and the exile of the democratic government to the island nation of Taiwan, still besieged by their northern neighbors. The United States, and much of the West as a whole, thought that commercially engaging with the CCP would mellow their radical communist sentiments. It didn’t, but it did serve the temporary purpose of pulling them away from the Soviet Union.

In fact, with the increased economic activity, the beast only grew in size. China managed to build itself as a home of cheap labor, luring Western companies

Photo by Liu Bin / XINHUA NEWS AGENCY via AP

OP-ED BY MICHAEL GODWIN

T

he Communist Chinese Party (CCP) has increasingly come into the spotlight as more investigations are launched and evidence surfaces about their involvement in the origins of the COVID-19 virus. From their lesser known human rights violations with the Uighers in their western provinces to the abuse and murder of protestors in the occupied nation of Taiwan, China is the world’s latest “evil empire.”

Now, Georgia has become a part of the sphere of CCP influence, and it is imperative that Tbilisi realize this and save themselves and their nation while holding the CCP accountable.

First needed is an examination of the way China views modern warfare, or more accurately, the fact it doesn’t fight war in our traditional sense. In stark contrast to the Western classical focus on physical military strength and hardware, China focuses on what it has termed, and literally wrote the book on, Unrestricted Warfare. This work, published in 1999, takes a keen view of combating the West in information censorship, media control, economic influence, and ultimately political seizure.

The authors, Qiao Liang and Wang Xiangsui, were both colonels in the People's Liberation Army (PLA). These officers postulated that the world and the function of warfare was radically changed after the 1991 Gulf War. They determined that the United States, and the West by proxy, had had their last

major accomplishment and the way conflict will play out will be different. This change was outlined by Qiao in an interview after publication by saying, “the first rule of unrestricted warfare is that there are no rules, with nothing forbidden.”

This strategy, due to its nature, can be used against both enemies as well as allies through the universal incentive: money. Georgia is being wooed into a sense of complacency by the injection of billions of dollars of foreign direct investment. From the Senaki highway project to the Tbilisi Sea New City, bringing Georgia deeper into the economic clutches of the CCP is top priority. This economic bait is too sweet for Tbilisi to turn down, but will hurt in the long run.

Being indebted to Beijing is tantamount to owing large sums of money to the

to be betrothed to their workforce and therefore the CCP. This allows the CCP to slither through these corporate entities and into the cultures and societies in other nations that would be otherwise angled perpendicular to communist ideals. This tactic of normalization numbs the people to the horrors of Chinese communism and its deadly grasp.

At the same time, they whitewash their own global reputation through a ruthless regime of censorship and shadow policing and law enforcement. Any dissidents swiftly “disappear” and their words are scrubbed from the media. Socio-political and cultural “opponents” are interred in concentration camps and hidden from the world, with the goal of forcing people to forget. Any warm interaction with a government that conducts itself in such a manner, treats its people in such an abhorrent manner, and remains so devious and manipulative, is despicable.

It is imperative that Georgia rethink its position with the CCP and their policies.

The continuation of these actions is clearly motivated by profit and growth, and this is not without its benefits. However, to go without recognizing the horrifying faults of the CCP is to condone them.

From the abhorrent “One China Policy” to the abuse and murder of its own citizens, Georgia, along with the rest of the world, needs to make it clear in no uncertain terms that this malicious behavior by a state entity will not be tolerated.

Cartoon by Gordon Edward George Minhinnick

Handling the Occupation OP-ED BY NUGZAR B. RUHADZE

A

nything good and useful that is currently happening in Georgia is losing its color and value against the background of the Occupation that we have been suffering from the last 30 something years. I am purposefully capitalizing the word ‘Occupation,’ because it has turned into the most capital issue Georgia has had to handle in its recent history.

The fact of losing Abkhazia and Samachablo is absolutely indigestible for every single Georgian of any age, gender or faith. We are simply not capable of putting up with the reality that life offers at this stage of our existence. We sleep and dream of these lands coming back to us, but we have not the slightest clue how to actually do it: no plan, no power, no will, no resource, no hope, no nothing!

The world around us is aware of our pain, but the same world needs to do so much to ensure its own survival, that it has no will or muscle to turn our territorial issue into its core subject of care and preoccupation. Without an iota of exaggeration, our life is losing gist and

taste because of the Occupation imposed on us by our northern neighbor only thanks to the power it is allowed to exercise over us.

Russia is angry with Georgia, and its anger is fierce and lasting, and there is no way to assuage that anger because, naturally, Russians honor in the first

place their own state and political interests above others’. Georgia became the ‘other’ for Russia as a result of Georgia’s decision to follow the western moral and political ideals, and its ability to make a human being happier than Russians can and would any time soon. To play a double game, including Georgia’s

The new generations are coming of age, forfeiting the acute sense of lost lands, their mindset gradually numbing towards the anguish of those that came before them.

Source: ponarseurasia.org

goodwill gestures towards both, seems to be practically impossible, because Russia tends to maintain a categorical attitude: either us or them. Living in a presumable triangle between Russia, Georgia and the West has not worked, although this geopolitical model might have been ideal for Georgia.

Time is passing and the so called ‘new reality’ is crystallizing little by little, turning into a genuine nightmare for us, because the more the world gets used to the irritating status quo, the more impotent we feel ourselves in our ability to revive our territorial integrity. Moreover, the new generations are coming of age, forfeiting the acute sense of lost lands, their mindset gradually numbing towards the anguish of those that came before them.

Concerning the Western shoulder, we certainly have it to cry on, but only in lighter things like strengthening liberal democracy and honing our electoral culture. We should in no way be nursing the hope that the West is capable of having Russia return to Georgia its lost lands: it can only implement the policy of that loud label, ‘non-recognition’. Non-recognition is fine, but it is only a piece of moderate diplomacy, having no problemsolving strength or value. And everybody

knows that! Only, the overall picture stays on a shoulder-shrugging and lip-curving level. Not hard to understand, because, to put it straight, our beloved West has no power to make Russia drop Abkhazia and South Ossetia like a hot potato at one snap of a finger, have the happy Armenian immigrants out and the miserable Georgian refugees in, reinstating their illegally lost properties, and closing the issue forever. Things just don’t happen that way.

Wars change things, sometimes so badly that recovery becomes impossible, and we are the victims of that change. In our hearts and minds, we are not prepared to reconcile ourselves with the fact, but we will have to find better ways to put back together our beloved motherland.

Dreaming never hurts, and I will now follow one of the images of my best imagination: some day in the future, the world will not need borders, and that’s exactly when we will be able to relax and ignore the consequences of wars and borderization, visas and other restrictions, territorial quarrels and barbed wire installations. Wouldn’t this be something? I know that jokes are irrelevant about things like occupation and geopolitically broken hearts, but can’t we at least afford this little jovial moment when pain stays and has no intention to go?

POLITICS

GEORGIA TODAY JUNE 4 - 10, 2021

5

Namakhvani Updates: Arrests, Support from Abroad

Protestors block the entrance to the site so no workers or equipment can enter. Source: 'To Save the Rioni Valley'

BY TEAM GT

O

pponents of the construction of Namakhvani HPP in the village of Gumati gathered at the base of Enka Renewables this week in an attempt to prevent the construction equipment and workers of Enka accessing the construction site.

It followed on from last Friday’s clash outside the construction site after pro-

testers spent the night throwing rocks at and hitting the metal barriers erected around the site. Eight people were detained as a result.

Varlam Goletiani, spokesperson for the protestors, said, “This shameful barricade is a symbol of repression in independent Georgia. It prevents each of us from going home. Nothing more can be done than this: the HPP here is a minor issue when there is a barricade preventing us from going home.

“The conversation is not about whether we invade somewhere or we damage

something: it has been 214 days since we have been in the valley and we have not damaged anything, we have not invaded anywhere. We want to move. We will see who breaks who in the end,” he said.

Of the latest blockade of vehicles and staff, one of the protesters, Marita Museliani, noted they were only trying to stop the transporting of equipment, not to break the law.

“We will try to control everything so that we don’t break the law. Becoming destructive is unacceptable to us, what with the [May 29] clash, and daily tensions rising. We don’t want to lose control of this situation and will aim to stay constructive. We are dealing with a big violation by the government, and people are finding it very difficult to control their emotions. We will try not to let these emotions cross the lines,” Museliani told reporters.

Goletiani claimed that the police forces have now become an official helper to Enka.

“We saw a convoy passing through of police pickups taking the company employees and workers onto the site, as we are blocking their access otherwise.

The police are taking them to work. It is important to block the road so as not to let them transfer equipment to the other side, which the company needs to continue work.

“We cannot get into a confrontation with the police, it isn’t right and we’re not going to go in that direction. But it’s necessary for the public to know that the police have completely violated the law because it is not their function or duty to drive Enka employees into the gorge with their own cars,” Goletiani said.

Almost as if in response to this sentiment, on June 2, Zurab Khmelidze, Assistant Detective / Investigator in the Vani District, expressed his solidarity with the Rioni Valley Guardians by resigning.

An interview with him was broadcast

by Mtavari TV. “I want to make a direct statement about my leaving my job. What’s happening in Namokhvani led me to it. I express my solidarity with Varlam Goletiani, Maka Suladze, and every person standing there, whose constitutional

Varlam Goletiani, one of the organizers, says that the police forces have been transporting Enka workers onto the site in their own vehicles. Source: Facebook

right is being illegally violated, with their being prevented from accessing their own property.

“The police, and me previously with them, are splitting the valley in two... these people who actually lived there have parents, have houses, and we are restricting their right to move freely. It has a huge impact on a person's selfesteem, conscience, and dignity. An ordinary citizen wants to fight for their country and you are a uniformed officer of the law who owes it to his own citizens to protect and defend the land, and yet you are…actually hindering them.

“Many of my colleagues agree with me.

The guys are in a very bad situation.

Everyone is on edge. Many want to leave the system but they don't dare to because they have families to support,” he said.

Heidi Hautala, Vice President of the European Parliament, a member of the ‘Greens’, responded to the protest against Namakhvani HPP, noting that the lack of transparency and accountability with “secret contracts” is shocking.

Hautala gave her support to the protest movement via a post on Twitter.

“I welcome this new kind of mobilization of people of #Georgia against a backward and destructive economic model. Lack of transparency and accountability with secret contracts is shocking. #Namakhvani,” she wrote.

Zurab Khmelidze, Assistant Detective / Investigator in the Vani District, has expressed his solidarity with the Rioni Valley Guardians by resigning. Source: Netgazeti.ge

Ukraine’s PM Visits Georgia, Discusses NATO and Regional Security

The Prime Minister of Georgia welcomes the Prime Minister of Ukraine, both eager for their countries to join NATO. Source: Facebook

BY TEAM GT

O

n June 3, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili met with Denys Shmyhal, Prime Minister of Ukraine, during the latter’s two-day visit to Georgia. The face-to-face meeting at the Administration of the Georgian Government saw the two emphasizing the special friendship and strategic part-

nership between the two countries.

The parties discussed the situation in the Black Sea Region and regional security, underlining the Georgian side's position on its commitment to a peaceful conflict resolution policy. The PM of Georgia thanked his Ukrainian counterpart for strongly supporting Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The meeting also revolved around threats from Russia and the dire consequences of occupation, a challenge shared by both Georgia and Ukraine. Garibash-

vili expressed deep concern over Russia's military buildup on Ukraine's borders and its temporary occupation of Crimea. He reassured his Ukrainian colleague of his firm support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“Both countries are very motivated to become full members of NATO very soon,” the Georgian PM told journalists after his meeting with Denys Shmyhal.

“One of the main topics of our meeting was our aspiration to the European Union.

Of course, both countries are clearly established to become members of the EU, and we, naturally, have talked a lot about it.

“On May 17 this year, Georgia, Ukraine, and Moldova signed a memorandum on the establishment of the 'Associated Trio,' which is a very important political statement. We also discussed the integration of Georgia and Ukraine into NATO. Both countries are very motivated to become full members of NATO very soon.

“At the Bucharest Summit, the allies decided that Georgia and Ukraine would become members of NATO, and, over the years, our countries have made significant progress on this path,” he said.

In turn, PM Denys Shmyhal noted that the relations between the Georgian and

Ukrainian peoples are gaining momentum and this is a very important signal for the businesses and citizens of these two countries.

Shmyhal also noted that Georgians and Ukrainians share a common goal in terms of NATO membership.

“I am convinced that our countries' accession to the European Union and NATO is only a matter of time. For our part, the governments of Georgia and Ukraine are doing everything possible to meet the necessary criteria,” Shmyhal said.

Following the face-to-face meeting of the two PMs, the two countries' delegations engaged in broader-format talks.

The parties discussed key issues in the bilateral relations between Georgia and Ukraine, pointing to expanding trade and economic interaction and the importance of tapping fully into the potential of economic cooperation in order to increase the trade turnover even further.

The parties also underlined the importance of strengthening tourism and transport ties.

Special attention during the meeting was paid to the European and EuroAtlantic integration of Georgia and Ukraine, as well as to ensuring stronger bilateral cooperation in this direction.

The parties underscored the importance of the cooperation between the two countries within the framework of the Eastern Partnership.

The conversation also touched on Georgia-Ukraine cooperation as part of various international organizations.

According to the parties, cooperation within the formats of the UN, OSCE, Council of Europe, and GUAM offers a good opportunity for mutual assistance and support.

Along with the Prime Ministers of the two countries, the participants of the broader-format meeting included Ukraine's Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers Oleh Nemchinov, Minister of Culture and Information Policy Oleksandr Tkachenko, Prime Minister's Foreign Relations Advisor Olena Kotlyarova, and Ukraine's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Georgia Igor Dolgov, while the Georgian side was represented by Vice Prime Minister, Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Natia Turnava, Minister of Culture, Sport and Youth Affairs Thea Tsulukiani, Head of the Government Administration Ilia Darchiashvili, and Georgia's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Ukraine Teimuraz Sharashenidze.

6

POLITICS

GEORGIA TODAY

JUNE 4 - 10, 2021

Recep Tayyip Erdogan: Turkey Regards Georgia as a Key to Regional Cooperation

BY TEAM GT

I

rakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia, made a state visit to the Republic of Turkey this week, during which he met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Turkey has been a number one trade partner for Georgia in the past 14 years, and the economic cooperation between the countries is expected to further increase. The Turkish president noted that Turkey regards Georgia as “a key to regional cooperation.”

“This year is significant as we are marking the 100th anniversary of the diplomatic presence of Georgia in Ankara and the 30th anniversary of the Regained

Turkey supports any tripartite cooperation, be that GeorgiaAzerbaijanArmenia or GeorgiaAzerbaijan-Turkey

Independence of Georgia,” Erdogan said after his meeting with the Georgian PM. “We discussed significant topics of our bilateral relations at a face-to-face meeting, which was followed by discussions between our delegations.

“Turkey has been a Number One trade partner for Georgia in the past 14 years.

Irrespective of the fact that 2020 saw a slight decline in trade volumes, we still aim to increase the trade turnover to $3,000,000.000 in the near future. Negotiations and consultations are also in progress towards extending a Free Trade Agreement,” he said.

“At the same time, we are strongly committed to increasing the trade potential and to advance cooperation between our customs administrations. The same applies to the energy sector and all other areas, which benefit from Turkish invest-

ments to a total of $214,000,000.000.

“We have projects of great significance implemented with and in Georgia, which transform the region altogether,” Erdogan highlighted. “The South Gas Corridor is among such strategic projects. We created this platform on the grounds of it.

We have initiated multilateral cooperation through interconnecting mechanisms and various combination corridors. We have built a corridor within this scope, currently labeled as the East-West Corridor, connecting the Caspian Sea from the Caucasus to China through Turkey.

“One of the key segments of the Silk Road, the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) Railway, transports international cargo from our country and Russia. We discussed the prospect of increasing this railway throughput via the Marmaray Tunnel.

“We also discussed the fight against

terrorism, particularly focusing on the efforts against the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETO).

“We exchanged our views on regional matters. Turkey regards Georgia as a key to regional cooperation. We strongly believe we have all the means to carry out various efforts to strengthen and increase the significance and peace in our region. Within the scope of this endeavor, tripartite cooperation is very important, with the engagement of Azerbaijan. Turkey supports any tripartite cooperation, be that Georgia-AzerbaijanArmenia or Georgia-Azerbaijan-Turkey.

“We also made a decision to hold a high-level meeting of the strategic council any time this year, and we instructed the Foreign Affairs Ministries of Georgia and Turkey to work on the timeframe.

We continue to make bold steps forward

by using the available mechanisms. With this mindset, I express hope and remain confident that our views and meeting will facilitate and develop the current relations between our nations,” Erdogan said.

In turn, the Georgian PM stated that Turkey has been an important friendly country and strategic partner for Georgia, and expressed readiness for future collaboration.

“You noted very rightly that Turkey has been a Number One trade partner for Georgia over many years now,” Garibashvili said. “We have jointly implemented such significant projects as BakuTbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC), Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK), Tbilisi-Erzurum.

“During our visit, we had a very productive discussion, covering practically every topic related to the cooperation between our two nations. I wish to use this opportunity and publicly express my gratitude personally to you for supporting the sovereignty of our country.

Also, I wish to note that Turkey has always been supportive of the sovereignty of Georgia and its aspiration towards NATO membership in every existing format. I also wish to echo the statement made by the President in relation to the upcoming meeting of the strategic council, which I truly look forward to. Destiny has made our three nations - Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey - interdependent.

We have very strong cooperation, partnership and, what is most important, friendship. A very strong basis exists for implementing more joint projects in future both in bilateral and trilateral formats."

BUSINESS

Turkmenistan’s Economy Stumbles, While Succession Looms ANALYSIS BY SOLOMON ALVARES

S

everal negative trends are converging on the Turkmen ruling elite, with the economy causing social discontent and occasional protests among the country’s population. And with succession plans being rolled out, it is doubly important for the government to keep a semblance of stability by squashing signs of dissent.

Turkmenistan is witnessing its worst economic crisis since the 1990s. The pandemic caused inflation, and food shortages are widespread, resulting in protests across the country which exacerbate an already tense social order.

But troubles were present well before the coronavirus hit. Low gas prices and the suspension of gas exports to Russia between 2016 and 2019 worsened the situation. Moreover, food supply chains have been in decline for several years.

Caused by poor harvests, the looming crisis led the majority of the population to have to shop at government-operated stores because these have lower prices than private markets. The choice is a difficult one: between diminished rations at state stores or purchasing products in expensive shops. Overall, faced with serious revenue shortfalls, the government has increasingly shifted financial burdens onto the people.

Although the country denies the existence of COVID-19, the pandemic has nevertheless exacerbated the economic woes, setting off public dissent in 2020.

Protests became widespread, and though they are economically motivated and have not transformed into coordinated actions, they nevertheless could prove existentially dangerous for the government. The protests have been territorially dispersed, which shows the depth of troubles which touched all corners of the large country. In April 2020, a group

of several dozen people, mainly women, from villages on the outskirts of the city of Mary briefly blocked the major road which connects the city to the rest of the country. The following day, people gathered outside the Mary Provincial Administration to complain about the hyperinflation and the shortage of such essentials as flour and cooking oil.

The economic difficulties continue to beset Turkmenistan. Recent scant reports indicate that the situation has not been corrected. For instance, provincial authorities banned queuing outside state stores following Deputy PM Serdar Berdymukhammedov, the president's son and heir apparent, statement that "crowds near stores discredit" his father.

According to the order issued in the eastern city of Turkmenabat, queues at stores could consist of no more than four people. The new ban was introduced amid an economic and food crisis. As an example, presently, state stores are open for subsidized food only from 6-8 am and only a certain amount of cotton and sunflower oil, sugar, and rice is available per person per month.

The queues relate to the subsidized prices for basic goods and utilities – measures used by Berdymukhammedov, similar to his late predecessor, Saparmurat Niyaziv, aim to help the current leadership to stay in power by containing and eventually subduing public discontent.

On April 13, in the southern city of Mary, about 1,000 people waited for hours to buy two kilograms of frozen meat each. One kilogram of meat cost 36 Manats, which is equal to $10 at the state-controlled rate, and $1 on the black market.

Economic problems are also evident in the country’s currency. In April, it was reported that the Manat had reached 40 to the Dollar. This is some 50% down since the beginning of the year when the Manat was trading on the black market for around 27 or 28 to the Dollar. The

State stores are open for subsidized food only from 6-8 AM, and only a certain amount of cotton and sunflower oil, sugar, and rice is available per person per month. Source: asianews.it

currency troubles began in March 2020 following Beijing’s decision to slash gas imports, and due to the generally low prices China had been paying for Turkmen gas.

These economic woes are happening at a time of widespread speculations on succession. Recently, President Berdymukhammedov, aged 63, appointed his son Serdar to a number of top positions, among them deputy prime minister, which also gives him a seat on Turkmenistan’s Security Council, as well as the head of the government’s audit chamber. Before that, Serdar had served as Deputy Agriculture Minister and manager of the already non-existant

State Agency on Management and Use of Hydrocarbon Resources. And there are many more positions. But what is more important, Serdar is being groomed as a national leader too, by meeting important regional political figures – a clear indication of his ambitions.

All indicates that a power struggle within the government is unlikely to take place, but in any case, a peaceful transition is what matters to the Turkmen leadership. Though the opinions of ordinary Turkmen are not heeded, appearances are what matter to help guarantee the continuity of the Berdymukhammedov dynasty, and it largely explains the government’s efforts to quash any visible

signs of public discontent.

The overall dire economic situation, however, does pose a novel threat to the autocratic Turkmen government, which could unnerve the entire façade of power.

Yet, one should bear in mind the geography of the country. Discontent is widespread and felt across the country, and occasional protests are taking place, but these are far short of a concerted effort.

Geography no doubt goes some way to preventing resistance, as there are hundreds of kilometers of sparsely inhabited, mainly desert, land between major population centers, making it easier for the central government to shut entire cities in case major troubles begin.

BUSINESS

GEORGIA TODAY JUNE 4 - 10, 2021

7

KGroup: Highest Quality Standard in Production of Metal Products

BY ARCHIL GELASHVILI

T

he construction and repair industry in Georgia has been growing and developing over the years. The competition in this field is big, and to attract the interest of potential customers, companies use their unique features and competitive advantages. It is with this such stand-out features and loyalty to work that for seven years now, the company Kgroup has been working successfully on the Georgian market, which, in addition to construction and repair services, is a metal goods enterprise equipped with the highest quality modern technologies.

Since 2014, KGroup has managed to establish leading positions in the construction and repair industry, as well as in the metal products industry. Today, the company has two enterprises in Rustavi and Kutaisi, which allows it to serve customers virtually throughout Georgia, while being headquartered in Tbilisi. Their enterprises are equipped with modern technologies and unite certified and experienced professionals who are responsible for the highest quality final product.

KGroup is a construction and repair company, although their main focus is on metal products. It is equally successful in the manufacturing of metal gates, railings, grilles and household items, as well as metal structures for large, industrial constructions. A few years ago, when a government decree made it necessary to feature metal fire ladders in buildings, Kgroup became actively involved in the development of this direction, which was an opportunity for

them to cooperate with large development companies.

The history of KGroup is connected with the personal experience of its founder, Korneli Khvedelidze. In parallel with his university education, he worked in a metal enterprise, where he studied the nuances and peculiarities of this field, and later decided to start his own independent business. As Khvedelidze, the founder and director of KGroup, said in an interview with "Entrepreneur", starting this business was associated with great risk.

In order to start a company and develop its production capacity, he even had to sell his own home, but the risk must always be justified, and the success of Kgroup speaks for itself.

The company has been on the market for seven years, however, it is developing and growing daily. The enterprise originally consisted of two employees, but today it already unites about 50 specialists. "Doing business has taught me to identify people, communicate with them and move towards a set goal.

Patience, purposefulness and professionalism are the preconditions for success in any business,” Khvedelidze said.

The company is represented by a wide range of products. This allows customers to order pre-designed, cataloged merchandise as well as custom-designed products. It is practically impossible to bring this number of products to the showroom, which on the one hand may seem like a problem, but on the other hand, greatly simplifies the selection process and saves customers time and energy.

KGroup stands out in the Georgian market by delivering products to customers in 100% finished form. A team of experienced professionals offers a type of service after which the customer

no longer has to search for additional resources to get the perfect product or design. Their metal products are processed with modern technology, especially with sand, and thanks to this, they retain their original appearance for a long time. Despite the crisis caused by the pandemic and the increase in the cost of raw materials, Kgroup is trying to maintain a stable and affordable price in the market and create a comfortable environment for customers in this regard.

Founder Korneli Khvedelidze notes that despite the difficult period in the pandemic and especially in the construction and repair industry, KGroup has managed to grow and develop. Against the background of this difficult situation, the company gained a great experience and saw the need for effective crisis management from a different angle.

Despite the abundance of orders, the company serves its customers faithfully and without delay. Kgroup continues to strive for its set goal, which means maximum concentration on the customer and their interests. As of today, the only challenge is the increased time required to deliver products due to COVID situation, as the enterprise ensures the maximum safety of employees and customers, taking into account all established recommendations.

Interest in Kgroup is high among large development companies such as M2, Anagi Development, Element Construction, and Archi Group and. This is only part of the interest in the company, as the demand for services from the construction sector is growing by the day.

It is also noteworthy that the quality work of Kgroup and its professional team has made many partner companies want to continue working with them.

Khvedelidze also spoke about his future

plans and long-term prospects. During the current year, the enterprise plans to expand, which will be an opportunity to increase productivity and maintain product diversity. He informed us that soon Kgroup will become the largest metal products enterprise in the Caucasus, offering customers products of the highest quality and modern technologies.

The company also intends to position itself abroad and export its exclusive products, which will increase awareness not only in the local but also in the inter-

national market.

The success of Kgroup is the result of hard work, dedication and professionalism, which may be exemplary and even motivating for young, start-up entrepreneurs. Despite all the difficulties and the biggest risks, the company continues to develop and grow steadily. Using modern technologies to produce products of the highest quality and individually designed is what makes Kgroup a competitive and distinctive brand in the market.

Profession of Mediator Actively Developing in Georgia

O

n December 14, 2019, for the first time in Georgia, a legal entity under public law ‘Mediators Association of Georgia’ was established, the presentation of which took place on February 19, 2020, at hotel Rooms. At the event, the Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia, Carl Hartzell, and the (now former) Permanent Representative of the United Nations Development Program to Georgia, Louisa Vinton, congratulated the public on the official launch of an alternative dispute resolution mechanism.

The Chairman of Mediators Association of Georgia, Irakli Kandashvili, in May 2021 was elected as Mediation Committee Chair of the European Association of Lawyers, which is great international recognition for the newly established profession in Georgia. GEORGIA TODAY decided to speak with Mr. Kandashvili to find out more.

UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP, THE PROFESSION OF MEDIATOR IS BEING ACTIVELY DEVELOPED IN GEORGIA. TELL US ABOUT IT. Mediation is a new word in the Georgian reality, it is a truly unprecedented reform of the last decade, which enables parties to a dispute to resolve a conflict themselves. I will use this opportunity to thank the European Association of Lawyers for the great confidence they

expressed in me in May, when, under their auspices, they selected me as a Chairman of the first-established Mediation Committee, which is a great expression of trust and support for the mediator profession in Georgia. Together, we will develop this profession in Georgia and will contribute to its development throughout Europe.

The Mediators Association of Georgia is accepting a new stream of entrants in June-July of this year. In fact, the profession is very popular, and is gaining trust in society by the day, proof of which can be seen in approximately 80% of cases being settled through mediation, and 96

applicants going through the stage of testing their practical skills to enter the profession. I would like to wish them all success. I’m glad there is such great interest and belief in the profession.

WHAT HAS LED TO THIS INCREASED TRUST AND INTEREST? The introduction of a new profession and its institutional recognition simultaneously require a solid infrastructural arrangement, as well as increasing public awareness and gaining credibility. We took effective steps in this direction throughout 2020, with Georgian media-

tors setting up an office.

We have managed, with the involvement of foreign experts, to develop European standards for entering the profession, which, on the one hand builds public confidence in the qualifications of those in the profession, and on the other helps develop a code of professional ethics in accordance with European standards and the rule of disciplinary proceedings.

We also agreed on the need for annual professional development training courses for mediators, as a result of which the public is aware that in this profession they will meet mediators with high professional standards, who are trained annually and whose activities will be based on ethical standards.

Last year, we also introduced an online remote production mediation platform, which during the global pandemic was an effective step on the way to professional development.

Increasing awareness of mediation in society is a priority for the Association, and up to 50 Memoranda of Understanding were signed in this direction with representatives of various public or private sectors, with the support of whom the process of development and establishment of mediation in Georgia will continue successfully.

Among our priorities is the introduction of teaching mediation as an alternative dispute mechanism in secondary and higher education. In this direction,

we have a specific action plan, which we will consistently implement in 2021.

TELL US ABOUT THAT MANDATORY CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING. All independent and self-regulating professions should think about developing the qualifications of representatives of the profession, which, in turn, generates more public confidence in the profession.

Therefore, by the decision of the General Assembly of the Mediators Association of Georgia, we have made a commitment to annual professional development, and in the near future, we will address Parliament with the initiative to amend the Law on Mediation and set a similar standard at the legislative level.

Today, we are actively working with the United States Agency for International Development on the Rule of Law, with the technical support of which, together with a British expert, we are creating the concept of a continuing professional education system through mediators, which will be mandatory from 2022. This means that each existing mediator will be obliged to take care of the continuous development of their qualifications by engaging in learning content activities. This will be another step and an open demonstration of the mediators' high social and corporate responsibility to the country and society as a whole.

8

SOCIETY

GEORGIA TODAY

JUNE 4 - 10, 2021

All-in-One Digital System for Animal Health and Food Safety

O

n June 7, it is World Food Safety Day. The day is marked to raise awareness of the importance of food safety for human health and sustainable development. A flexible, effective and accessible digital system, fully compatible with the EU requirements on traceability and food safety, helps to make a difference.

At a time when consumers demand transparency and visibility in all processes, animal identification and recording systems seems to be unparalleled management tools in animal health and food safety for countries like Georgia, where a high proportion of rangeland and pastures makes livestock an important component of the national agricultural economy and rural livelihood.

In 2016, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC), in partnership with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), embarked on a new project in a bid to support Georgia in developing digital animal identification and traceability systems with all technical features to record and monitor data on farm holdings and various animals. By virtue of the National Identification and Traceability Systems (NAITS) project, Georgia will have its first fully-functional digital National Animal Identification and Traceability System (NAITS) in 2021.

“For the past 25 years, Switzerland has been contributing to the sustainable development of Georgia,” says Danielle Meuwly, Regional Director, Swiss Cooperation Office for the South Caucasus,

Embassy of Switzerland. “Our efforts have focused on the improvement of the productivity of the livestock sector. Food safety is an important building block in this regard, because the way in which food is produced, stored and consumed affects its safety and people’s health. It requires the broad-based participation of the government, its institutions, professionals, donor organizations and consumers. Such an ambitious, country-wide undertaking needs to be supported by a pertinent digital system, which would, inter alia, modernize traditional practices. We are happy to be part of this project and thereby contribute to the health of the people living in or visiting Georgia.”

and animal products. The next phase of the project will be vital for a successful completion of the initiated process. Animal identification and traceability is an important and integral part of the ‘from farm to fork’ production chain, ultimately contributing to rooting high standards, and to improving the export potential and competitiveness of Georgian products.”

INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH

private veterinarians, were trained on using and complying with the system.

Ensuring cooperation from all the stakeholders to keep real-time data on animals is a lengthy process and, apart from trainings and equipping, adequate incentive mechanisms need to be put in place so that all involved stakeholders are engaged in using the digital system.

The second phase of the project will focus more on wider stakeholder engagement and incentive mechanisms, including policy dialogue to foster sustainable handover of the project to the NFA. “NFA’s veterinarians are actively involved in the implementation of project activities,” says deputy head of the NFA, Vasil Basiladze. “Measures undertaken so far have contributed to the improvement of animal identification, as well as the traceability of both animals

The project is being implemented in Georgia; however, the system and its impact is not limited to the geographical borders of the country. The functional animal identification and traceability system will considerably enhance access to the regional markets of live animals and animal products. In this respect, the project will explore the avenues for developing compatible systems in Armenia and Azerbaijan. In the meantime, though, the project made its name in the far country of North Macedonia. The officials of the Republic have requested the project to facilitate the knowledge exchange on Georgian NAITS with a view to updating the existing system currently in place.

The project “National Identification and Traceability Systems” is co-funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC) and implemented by the UN Food and Agriculture Agency (FAO). The project was launched in 2016 with the total budget of CHF 5’335’000. The current phase of the project will be closed by the end of 2021.

In a recording of the call heard by OC Media, a man threatens to publish private footage of Kupatadze’s daughter-in-law if the protesters do not stop their strike.

Kupatadze said she immediately called the police and then went to the local police station with the recording and the phone number of the caller. She said that the police have not opened an investigation into the incident.

Several other protesters have also reported being threatened.

On June 1, Public Defender Nino Lomjaria responded to the Shukruti protest, noting her Office has been monitoring the events developing in the village, and is aware that the locals demand fair compensation for property damaged by the ore mining works carried out by Georgian Manganese, as well as the involvement of the State in the process.

Representatives of the Public Defender met with the protesters on the ground and listened to their demands. They also have constant contact with the rally organizers.

“For the purpose of discussing the protesters’ demands with representatives of the company, on May 31, the Public Defender’s representatives communicated with a representative of 'Georgian Manganese,' who said that the company had assessed the property of the affected residents of Shukruti on the basis of the market prices,” reads the statement released by the Public

Defender's Office. “In addition, according to him, compensation does not mean deprivation of the right to own and use the property. According to the company representative, contracts are being signed with the population in stages, taking into account the degree of damage.

“In addition to the fact that the protesters distrust the evaluations made by the company and demand that the amount of compensation be determined by the Levan Samkharauli Forensics Bureau, the methodology of property valuation is also disputed between the parties. As we have learned, the special manager of the company publicly stated that the company was ready to apply to the Levan Samkharauli Forensics Bureau to evaluate the losses. In addition, the population demands that the obligation and terms of compensation payment by the company be specified in the relevant contract.

“Given the difficult situation, the Public Defender of Georgia calls on the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development to engage in the negotiations between the Shukruti population and the company as a mediator in order to protect the citizens' property rights and allow them to live in a healthy environment.

"The Public Defender continues to study the case in the context of the right to live in a healthy environment, as well as the alleged pressure exerted on the protesters.”

Photo by Goga Chanadiri

FROM FARM TO FORK

The ‘from farm to fork’ production chain will contribute to rooting high standards and to improving the export potential and competitiveness of Georgian products.

While the name “National Identification and Traceability Systems” is quite self-explanatory, in practical terms it means permanent identification and traceability ‘from farm to fork’. This phrase was coined for a system of identification of animal products back to farm premises.

The NAITS project was designed to help farmers, producers and relevant government agencies, such as the National Food Agency (NFA), coordinate policies pertaining to animal health more effectively. The system helps the NFA to keep a real-time data on farm animals and with this, contain disease outbreaks more effectively. The digital system also enables an animal product to be traced back to an animal’s farm of origin, and, in case of disease outbreak, for necessary swift measures to be taken. This system ulti-

mately serves to ensure food safety in the country and also helps to eventually boost meat export potential to EU countries, which have more stringent rules on imports of animal origin.

Setting up a digital system is just one technical aspect of the project. For the system to succeed and prove to be functional and sustainable, smooth cooperation from farmers, slaughterhouses and veterinarians need to take place so that new-born farm animals are reflected in the system, their movement properly registered and de-registered in slaughterhouses in due time. For this to function properly, a legal framework for the implementation and enforcement of animal identification and traceability was updated, and NFA personnel, 125 government veterinarians and 44 veterinary inspectors, supported by 600

Lips Sewn Shut in Chiatura: Protest against ‘Georgian Manganese’

BY TEAM GT, SOURCE: OC MEDIA

L

ocals living in the village of Shukruti in Chiatura, a mining town in western Georgia, who for years have been demanding compensation from Georgian Manganese Ltd, the company that owns and operates the manganese mines there, have begun to sew shut their lips in an extreme form of hunger strike.

10 residents of Shukruti are now on hunger strike, and five men and three women among them have sewn shut their mouths in a demand for attention from the central government.

Residents of the village of Shukruti have been saying for many years that they are suffering because of the work done by the manganese mining company, that their houses are collapsing, roads are being damaged, and holes are appearing on their land.

The protesters have been demanding compensation from the company, but have so far received nothing.

“In Chiatura, residents of the sinking village of Shukruti, near the Korokhnali mine owned by Georgian Manganese, who have been protesting for 85 days, began to sew shut their lips in protest,” news agency ‘Mtis Ambebi’ reported on May 11. “Protesters are demanding compensation from Georgian Manganese. Houses in the village of Shukruti

are partially or completely destroyed, visible holes have appeared in the yards.

Locals say ‘Georgian Manganese’ extracts manganese under their village.

“The protesters, who have used extreme measures of protest, are demanding a meeting with government officials and attention from human rights organizations.”

The protesters tried to set up a tent in front of Chiatura City Hall, but were reportedly prevented from doing so by the police chief and the city mayor.

Currently, their tent is set up in Shukruti, near the Korokhnali Mine.

“No-one is paying attention, so we were forced to turn to this extreme form of protest and have our mouths sewn up. We demand the involvement of the central government to solve this problem,” the locals claim.

The problems of the local population have been exacerbated since 2019, when the demonstrations first started. Residents blocked the road in September 2019 and suspended the operation of manganese mines.

Following the September protests, a commission was set up with Georgian Manganese, with the participation of the city mayor and the village governor, to investigate the damage and then start compensating for the loss, but locals say the commission’s work has not yielded any real results.

The position of Georgian Manganese is that the damage reported by the population is not related to the com-

pany’s activities, but was caused by works conducted during the Soviet period and was compensated during that period.

“Giorgi Neparidze, one of the leaders of the Shukruti protest, says that they halted their protest in June 2020 after receiving a verbal promise that there would be a three-party agreement between local residents, the government, and Georgian Manganese, ensuring that the company would compensate the villagers. But such an agreement never emerged,” reported OC Media.

The same source says the protesters are living in a tent erected in 2019. There is no electricity in the tent, and in winter, residents brought a wood-burning stove to keep themselves warm. Recently, a second tent was erected for the women who have joined the protest.

“As mining is carried out 24/7, the sound of machinery makes it hard to have even a conversation. The protesters say the noise gives them frequent headaches,” reads the article.

One of the protesters on hunger strike over mining damage to the village of Shukruti says a man attempted to blackmail her with intimate footage of her daughter-in-law, OC Media revealed this week.

The article by Mariam Nikuradze and Tata Shoshiashvili tells the story of Vera Kupatadze, who is one of those who has sewn her mouth shut. Vera said she received the threats in two calls from an unknown number on 24 May.

SOCIETY

GEORGIA TODAY JUNE 4 - 10, 2021

9

Yaakov Hagoel: “Big Leaders Dream and Go Against All Odds”

Itsik Moshe with - Minister of Welfare Itzik Shmuli, Chairman of the Committee for Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs David Bitan and Former Deputy Speaker of the Knesset Hilik Bar on Mount Herzl.

I

n Jerusalem, a solemn ceremony dedicated to the presentation of the book ‘Zionism Against All Odds’ began with the laying of flowers at the grave of Theodor Herzl, the founder of political Zionism.

The book was recently published in Hebrew and tells the story of Itsik Moshe, one of the creators of the Great Aliyah from the Soviet bloc, as the head of various organizations for the last 30 years. The Georgian version of the book will be published next year. It is also planned to translate it into English, as there is a great interest from World Jewry in the topics collected in the publication.

It is symbolic that the book presentation ceremony took place right next to Herzl's tomb, where, traditionally, the protocol provides for world leaders to honor the name of the outstanding figure of the Jewish people.

As reported by the Israeli media, Israeli political and analytical sectors have unanimously recognized the special role of Itsik Moshe in historic events of modern-day Israel, such as the repatriation of hundreds of thousands of Jews from the Soviet Union, the establishment of Georgia-Israel-World Jewry relations and in public diplomacy in Israel, also known as Hasbara. The book is dedicated

Presentation of The Book "Zionism Against All Odds" on Mount Herzl.

to these three topics.

Notably, the key part in the publication is played by the role of Georgia in launching the Great Aliyah or later the Hasbara International Campaign, which is led by Israeli House, an organization founded

by Itsik Moshe in cooperation with members of the Knesset.

The presentation of the book was attended by members of the Government of Israel and the Knesset, including the Minister of Labor, Social Affairs and Social Services Itzik Shmuli, who told the guests that there are people whose actions have an impact on history, such as Itsik Moshe, who can dream and change systems with

those dreams. It was also attended the Chairman of the Committee for Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs David Bitan, the former Vice Speaker of the Knesset Hilik Bar, leadership of Jewish Agency (Sochnut) and the World Zionist Organization, representatives of the political elite and society.

The event also received media attention. The Israeli press quotes Itsik Moshe as saying at the presentation: “A Jew must either live in Israel and defend his homeland with labor and blood; or if he lives outside of Israel, work for it forever.

There should be no third way for a Jew." Moshe noted that this principle is also tailored to both Georgians and Georgian interests. He expressed concern that more could have been done in the last 30 years to establish Georgia's ties with Israel and World Jewry, but that work could be strengthened now and that he was personally ready to contribute again.

At the presentation, Moshe presented a plan for 100 representations of the Israeli House, which should be opened not at the expense of the state of Israel, but with donations. The activities of the delegations will change Israel's foreign policy towards Hasbara.

At the event, according to the members of the Israeli government and parliament’s warm speeches, as well as the head of the World Zionist Organization Yaakov Hagoel, the representations of the Israeli House are likely to be the basis of a future grand plan. Hagoel also spoke about Itsik Moshe’s 30-year service for Israel and noted: "Itsik Moshe is made of the material from which the World Zionist leaders came: they knew the ultimate goals, they had the dream and the courage to go Against All Odds until the results are achieved. Such was Herzl, so is Itsik Moshe. I fully accept the concept of the Israeli House.”

Notably, the head of the World Zionist Organization Yaakov Hagoel called the UN Secretary-General to address the growing anti-Semitism in the world.

Itsik Moshe responded to the issue at the presentation and noted that at the initiative of the Israeli House, an agreement will soon be signed between the World Zionist Organization and the Georgian-American University of Georgia, based on which the university will be one of the first to teach anti-Semitism issues.

Moshe introduced the letter sent to Yaakov Hagoel, the head of the World Zionist Organization, by one of the heads of the Georgian-American University, Professor Zaza Rukhadze, stating that since anti-Semitism is a global problem, although this is not typical for Georgia, the university decided to be the first in the region and start teaching the history of anti-Semitism.

It was said at the presentation that thanks to the initiative of Itsik Moshe, the “Israeli Week” will be held in Georgia in July and a memorandum will be signed between the World Zionist Organization and the Georgian-American University within the framework of these events. The head of the Zionist organization will also meet with the leadership of three other universities in Tbilisi, where the history of the Holocaust will be taught with the support of Israeli House.

It is symbolic that on the second day of the presentation, Isaac (Bougie) Herzog, the head of the Jewish Agency (Sochnut), who wrote the foreword of the book, was elected as the President of Israel.

After the event, Itsik Moshe received an offer from European organizations to present the book and the Hasbara model developed by the Israeli House in Europe, as well as in other Israeli organizations and universities.

10

SOCIETY

GEORGIA TODAY

JUNE 4 - 10, 2021

Lisi Topograph - a Modern Residential Area of Private Houses on the Shores of Lisi Lake development of the district blends perfectly into the existing natural landscape and harmoniously integrates into an area surrounded by mountains and the lake.

Architects and urban planners working on the project paid great attention to recreation and the harmonious development of the area, as a result of which the district is fully integrated with the environment and will not be as densely populated as has happened in the surrounding territories, since the minimum land plot area is 1000 m2.

The area is also distinguished by road infrastructure. Here, the roads are 14 meters wide and include two lanes for two-way traffic, an additional lane for car parking, two fairly wide greened footpaths, and a 5 km long bike lane.

The area includes 4 sectors - A, B, C, and D, the development of which is planned in stages. At this stage, entire area preparatory works and preliminary sales of land plots in sector B have started.

L

isi Topograph is a westerntype, eco-friendly, quiet, and protected settlement of private houses that meets all the requirements of modern urbanization and low-density development, Located on the shores of Lisi Lake,

the sale of land plots for private houses has already begun.

Lisi Topograph is to be spread across 41.8 hectares and includes 244 land plots for the construction of private houses.

The project also envisages 5 parks, 9 sports grounds (tennis, football, and

In the autumn of 2022, residents will have the opportunity to live a full life in sector B, as at this time the infrastructure and communications of this section of the district will be fully arranged.

To preserve architectural style of the district, when purchasing a land plot, the buyer is obliged to agree house exterior design with our company. Architectural project of the house and house construction can be ordered separately.

Lisi Topograph is an ideal place for those looking for an ecologically clean, healthy, and quiet environment to live in with their families.

The unique location and landscape, panoramic views of mountains and the lake, and untapped, diverse ecosystem are the main advantages of Lisi Topograph.

Everything you are looking for in the countryside for a harmonious life is already in the city - at Lisi Topograph.

basketball), children's entertainment areas, and various consumer facilities (supermarket, pharmacy, etc.) tailored to the needs of the residents.

The topographic structure of the Lisi Topograph area serves as the main inspiration for the project. The residential

Good and Bad Sports: Etseri, Svaneti BLOG BY TONY HANMER

T

he good was everything else. The bad, on the books to be banned, was dog fighting. The event was an annual, multi-discipline sports day hosted this year by Etseri.

Participating villages aside from us included Pari, Tskhumari, Becho, Nakra, Chuberi, Latali and more. All of it was for males; this really could be changed, say the other sex!

I was on hand only for the first part, which was a bareback horserace from the kindergarten building to the school crossroads, just below our house.

Umbrella’d against occasional light rain, I found a good place to take photos from with my 35mm digital camera. I was shooting with a slow shutter speed of 1/30 to 1/40 second, moving the camera slightly in the direction of the animals’ motion to try to mix motion blur (legs, the background) with a bit of stillness (bodies of horses and riders). This technique is called panning. It seems to have worked. The only shot I left in color was that of the winner and his horse. I find myself choosing black and white for the majority of my photos at the moment, and may also make monochrome versions of earlier work too.

There were three horseracing rounds, with the 2nd and 3rd of these being between the two fastest steeds. It was over in a couple of minutes per round, quite thrilling to watch and capture in a few frames, all I had time for as they flashed by. One of our closer neighbors, recently married with a young daughter,

of the proper slight stature for a jockey, won handily.

Next came the dog fighting, a blood sport though not meant to be to the death. This is usually held on the school grounds, lately in the fenced-in sports stadium, participant owners seemingly thumbing their noses at the school administration or daring them to take action, which they never have. I have watched only one such fight, in a different village about 20 years ago, just

to say I had seen it; never again. In any case, the photos I might want to take just to document it can’t be posted online anywhere, as I’d be castigated by dog owners and also likely by those against. In any case, the rain was now getting harder, and I had quite a few photos to edit on my laptop, which usually takes much longer than taking them in the first place.

(Do we have lots if incidences of local people, including children, getting bitten

by dogs? Definitely. I would like to compare the statistics with those of a similar area with no tradition of dog fighting, though I am aware that this would be suggestive rather than evidence of proof that raising these dogs to be aggressive definitely leads to more people getting bitten... I also have “skin in the game:” my own!)

I also missed all the other sports events while editing photos, as the rain continued: volleyball, won by Etseri; wrestling,

by Latali; soccer, by Becho; arm wrestling, by Nakra in one weight class and Becho in another. (Etseri is legendary in this sport, however, boasting a 7 times world champion! He now lives in Tbilisi).

As I have mentioned, there is plenty of room to widen the field by making this type of event not just for boys and men; the ladies and girls are clamoring for entry, and I hope with them that they will soon be allowed. Why not? Svaneti has had female winners on national and international levels in judo and downhill skiing, for example. They don’t just cook, sew and clean! Milking is a great whole upper-body workout, as I found out when I learned it some years ago, from the fingers, hands and arms to the whole back, shoulders and chest. One of our neighbors showed me a long time ago how well she can plough with a donkey or ox, which I failed miserably at, my lines refusing to go straight at all.

People refused to let the rain dampen more than their exteriors, and the day was a great success, as it always seems to be. Anything to encourage local physical fitness and friendly inter-village competition. Sport seems to be alive and well in Svaneti. Now, if we could just get a swimming pool somewhere…

Tony Hanmer has lived in Georgia since 1999, in Svaneti since 2007, and been a weekly writer and photographer for GT since early 2011. He runs the “Svaneti Renaissance” Facebook group, now with nearly 2000 members, at www.facebook.com/ groups/SvanetiRenaissance/ He and his wife also run their own guest house in Etseri: www.facebook.com/hanmer.house.svaneti

CULTURE

GEORGIA TODAY JUNE 4 - 10, 2021

11

American Friends of Georgia Presents an Online Auction to Support its Numerous Good Causes through a specially designed program which includes lectures, seminars, workshops, city tours focusing on appreciation of the urban environment, and volunteering for social programs (primarily in the Hospice Homecare Program).

At the moment, AFG is cooperating with the Guivy Zaldastanishvili American Academy, but plans to expand cooperation further with other educational institutions.

“For me, the experience was indubitably unforgettable. I was given the opportunity to work with amazing members of the organization and in unison we put in maximum effort to change the society we live in. Our leaders provided us with insight on our surroundings and guided us on the right path to change. I believe that the American Friends of Georgia will continue in the same spirit with all the volunteers and eventually, we will all see the transformation we long for,” says Mancho Natsvlishvili, 17.

MERCY CENTER HOSPICE, NURSING SCHOOL AND HOME CARE PROGRAM IN TBILISI Image source: finchannel.com

BY KATIE RUTH DAVIES

A

merican Friends of Georgia, Inc. has been providing humanitarian assistance, education, medical care and rehabilitation for the most vulnerable populations in the country of Georgia since 1994. Although AFG assists many projects in Georgia, among them the Leukemia Children/Hematology-Oncology Center/Parents House in Tbilisi, the Nikozi Education and Cultural Center for War-Affected Children (COATS & Annual International Animation Film Festival), the Covid-19 Relief Fund, ‘Together for Real Changes,’ supporting children with disabilities in remote regions, Preservation of a Landmark – the Last remaining Royal Palace in Tbilisi, and the Community College of Decorative Gardening, in this article we focus on their three biggest ongoing projects:

HIGHER EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP FUND FOR FORMER STREET CHILDREN The Youth Platform is the first project of AFG with a specific focus on youth.

It aims to contribute to the culture of

philanthropy and volunteerism in the younger generation through educating and empowering them for a better future.

The project encompasses two directions: the Youth Social Program and Youth Preservation Program.

The Youth Social Program responds to one of the most critical challenges in Georgia: rendering assistance to those vulnerable and indigent. The program seeks to develop the culture of civic activism, tolerance and empathy in young people, at the same time providing support and compassion to those who require it the most: the elderly and children.

With the Preservation Program, AFG wants young citizens to become drivers of positive change, through educating and encouraging them to identify and work on urban challenges with regard to cultural heritage and preservation.

The goal is to stimulate a young generation’s interest in architecture, history, and the importance of cultural preservation.

The project supports the process of building a democratic civil society and empowering young citizens to become Community Champions and stand for culture and the tradition of volunteering and philanthropy, as well as preservation of the capital’s cultural heritage.

The Youth Platform is implemented

PUBLISHER & GM

George Sharashidze COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT

Commercial Director: Iva Merabishvili Marketing Manager: Natalia Chikvaidze

GEORGIA TODAY

EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT:

Editor-In-Chief: Katie Ruth Davies

The Mercy Center Hospice, Nursing School and Home Care Program was founded in 2003 as the first, and now only, free hospice and palliative care center in Georgia.

This unique program provides qualified and compassionate care, free of charge, for many of the most vulnerable Georgians with terminal or chronic illnesses who are living under the poverty line, many alone in their homes with few options for care. Over 30% are women of all ages receiving care for metastatic breast cancer. Amazingly, the Mercy Center Hospice program can be fully funded with only $6000 a month, but is essential to the support of elderly and disabled patients in Georgia.

Health insurance in Georgia does cover hospitalizations, as in the United States, but not the very critical need for posthospital rehab or palliative care services.

Additionally, there is no system similar to the US “Visiting Nurse Association” or any public rehabilitation centers in Georgia. The Georgian elderly living on small pensions cannot pay for private home health services when chronic or terminal illnesses arise. The Mercy Center Hospice, Nursing School and Home Care Program fills this invaluable niche in the social fabric of Georgian frail elders and desperately ill patients.

The Mercy Center Hospice is a small enterprise, but with deep needs for financial support.

In 2003, Mother Mariam created a hospice for six in-patients with serious chronic or end-stage illnesses to be cared for ‘round the clock’, and brilliantly planned a nursing school as an adjunct, not only to staff the hospice, but to teach young women valuable occupational skills and specific hospice and rehabilitative training. The home care program has been a natural offshoot of the hospice program.

With your generous support, patients can continue to have access to dialysis, insulin, antibiotics, painkillers and blood pressure medicines, while patients who are at home with multiple needs after hospitalization will be able to have nurses visit them daily, who can provide nutrition, medicines, injections, chemotherapy, even washing and cleaning. Patients who need artificial feeding with a probe

Journalists: Ana Dumbadze, Vazha Tavberidze, Tony Hanmer, Emil Avdaliani, Nugzar B. Ruhadze, Michael Godwin, Ketevan Skhirtladze Photographer: Aleksei Serov

or need wound and ulcer care with iodine and bandages will continue to be attended to.

The Mercy Center Nursing School, attached to the Hospice, accepts lowincome young women, interested in this career opportunity, and provides free tuition to 12 young students per year for a 2-year course in general nursing with specialty in palliative, rehabilitation and hospice care.

The Mercy Center Home Care Program currently cares for 55 frail elders, with over 100 patients cared for in the course of an average year. Graduate nurses and students visit elders in their own homes, supplementing family care, or providing the only care that elders with no family receive, allowing them to ‘age in place’ or recuperate from falls, illnesses or surgery safely and comfortably, or to transition, for more support, to hospice care.

THE DZEGVI COMMUNITY SHELTER The Dzegvi Community Shelter for former street children, abandoned single mothers, mentally and physically ill persons and homeless elderly needs reconstruction totaling $260,000. Thanks to the sponsors and supporters at past AFG galas in Tbilisi, and supporters in the US, American Friends of Georgia was able to raise $230,000 toward the Dzegvi Shelter Building Fund.

“We are grateful to all of the participants but especially to our primary sponsor, Ivane Nakaidze, founder and managing partner of the Petrocas Energy Group,” AFG representatives note. “We are almost there! We need $30,000 in additional funds to finalize the reconstruction of the Shelter. Nearly 100 homeless elderly, mentally ill and physically handicapped, and abandoned mothers with their children will benefit when the building is completed.”

The building will not only include residential facilities, but will also meet the critical need for additional public spaces for educational and vocational training, medical care, art therapy, and a children’s gymnasium.

Leaking roofs, inadequate or absent sanitation, and refuse are unacceptable living conditions. We can and should help build a viable shelter, the Dzegvi Community Shelter that houses and rehabilitates Georgia’s most vulnerable.

HELP RAISE FUNDS If the above projects, though just three of many, have inspired you to reach into

Website Manager/Editor: Katie Ruth Davies Layout: Misha Mchedlishvili Webmaster: Sergey Gevenov Circulation Managers: David Kerdikashvili, David Djandjgava

your pockets to help, you can do so through the AFG’s exciting annual auction- this year online. Instructions are below and on the website: afgeorgia.org.

The auction opens for bidding at noon on Sunday, June 13, and closes during AFG’s Virtual Gala on Saturday June 26.

The 2021 auction offers you everything from original art, a hand-woven carpet, handmade crafts and exotic tours, to a basketball signed by Steph Curry and other Golden State Warriors players, an antique map, cooking classes and more!

HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THE AFG CHARITY AUCTION 2021 Registration: Sign in or register by clicking on ‘Sign In’ in the top right corner.

You must register and be logged in to bid.

You will be asked for your credit card information during registration to facilitate bidding. You do not have to enter your credit card information at this time.

If you choose not to enter your credit card information during registration, you will be asked for it when you place your first bid Bidding: Hover over or click an auction item and click ‘Bid’ to place a bid. The amount shown is the minimum bid amount. Clicking the plus sign allows you to increase the bid amount. You will be prompted to enter your credit card at this time, if you haven’t already done so. Click CONFIRM to confirm your bid.

After you bid, you’ll have the option to set a Max Bid, allowing the system to bid for you automatically, up to your specified amount.

You will see a trophy icon on the auction item where you are the current highest bidder.

If you are outbid, you will see a message on your screen, as well as receive a text message to notify you that you have been outbid.

Good luck bidding, and on behalf of GEORGIA TODAY, thank you for supporting such great causes!

American Friends of Georgia was founded in 1994 by Constantine Sidamon-Eristoff and a group of Georgian-American and American citizens, all of whom shared a mission to help Georgia through a difficult post-Soviet transition period marked by widespread poverty, infectious disease and food shortages. Since then, AFG has provided funding and support to institutions working to improve educational, economic, social, medical and environmental conditions. Below are highlights from AFG’s long history in fulfilling its mission of improving the quality of life for the people in Georgia.

ADDRESS

1 Melikishvili Str. Tbilisi, 0179, Georgia Tel.: +995 32 229 59 19 E: info@georgiatoday.ge F: GeorgiaToday ADVERTISING & SUBSCRIPTION

+995 555 00 14 46 E-mail: marketing@georgiatoday.ge

Reproducing material, photos and advertisements without prior editorial permission is strictly forbidden.

The author is responsible for all material. Rights of authors are preserved. The newspaper is registered in Mtatsminda district court.

Reg. # 06/4-309