Issue #1268

Issue no: 1268

• OCTOBER 16 - 22, 2020 • PUBLISHED WEEKLY

FOCUS ON POTI FIZ

Poti FIZ CEO on the Benefits of World Free Zone Organization Membership

PAGE 6

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In this week’s issue...

President to Defense Magazine: Georgia Has Always Been a Part of the European Family NEWS PAGE 2

Winners of NASA Space Apps Challenge Georgia Revealed from a BeelineSupported Hackathon BUSINESS PAGE 7

Carrefour Continues Digital Expansion: Products of French Brand Now Available on Vendoo BUSINESS PAGE 7

EU Supported Local Action Groups in Georgia Mobilizing Communities BUSINESS PAGE 8

The Sit Down: An Interview with the Ambassador of Turkey to Georgia

Be Their Voice - How World Animal Day was Celebrated in Georgia

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY MICHAEL GODWIN

Fridon Nizharadze Painter of the Traumas of Svaneti & the World

L

atest developments in the tensions in Nogorno-Karabakh have begun drawing more attention after a ceasefire failed to produce the desired results. Now, Turkey, Russia, and the United States have begun looking for alternative ways to establish peace in the region. Turkey, the largest and arguably most involved player in the ongoing conflict, has taken a multifaceted approach, particularly with their long-time ally, Azerbaijan. In this installment of “The Sit Down”, GEORGIA TODAY spoke to the Ambassador of Turkey to Georgia, H. E. Fatma Ceren Yazgan, to discuss some of the security matters in the broader Caucasus, as well as some outlooks on the renewed fighting in the region.

Continued on page 4

SOCIETY PAGE 9

CULTURE PAGE 11 Prepared for Georgia Today Business by

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NEWS

GEORGIA TODAY

OCTOBER 16 - 22, 2020

Corona Updates: Nearly 1000 New Cases in a Day

BY TEAM GT

O

n October 15, 919 new cases of coronavirus were detected in Georgia, bringing the total number of infected people since the March outbreak to 14,440.

Of the new cases, 366 were reported in Tbilisi, 286 in Adjara, 104 in Imereti, 57 in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, 44 in Kvemo Kartli, 21 in Shida Kartli, 13 in Kakheti, 13 in Guria, 11 in Mtskheta-Mtianeti, 3 in Samtskhe-Javakheti and 1 in Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti.

Marina Endeladze, Head of the Isolation Department of the Infectious Diseases Hospital, told reporters that there has been a serious increase in infections in Georgia in the last 24 hours.

"As expected, there is a serious increase.

We warned the population it would happen. The number of cases has increased both in Tbilisi and in the regions. The number of recoveries is about 53% (7367).

7073 active cases are people being treated in hospitals and COVID hotels, while mild and asymptomatic patients are being treated at home," she stated.

The number of recovered patients increased by 208 and reached 7367, while four more patients died of coronavirus, bringing the total death toll in Georgia to 113.

On Thursday, the government’s Interagency Coordination Council decided that no strict systemic restrictions were needed in the country despite the rising number of COVID-19 cases. The practice of targeted restrictions and localization,

as needed, will be continued.

The meeting emphasized that despite the growing numbers of coronavirus infections, with the most cases in the previous 24 hours identified in Tbilisi, no strict systemic restrictions are being considered at this point. "At the virus adaptation and management stage, the practice of targeted restrictions continues, and these will be localized, if needs be," they said.

The Interagency Coordination Council once again urged the population to wear facemasks, maintain social distancing, and avoid mass gatherings. In light of the growing numbers of infections in Tbilisi, the recommendation to wear masks outdoors stands.

Regarding the situation in clinics, the growth in infection statistics is not expected to result in a lack of hospital beds, with the Health Ministry continuously working on mobilizing additional beds. To do so, new clinics will be engaged in the fight against COVID-19.

First aid serves a key role and function at the management stage, which involves patient management in COVID hotels and at home, with consultations from family physicians. “That is why streamlined work in this direction requires special attention,” the Council noted.

The Health Ministry reports that clinics throughout Georgia are presently treating almost 2,200 coronavirus patients, under the supervision of the clinical team led by Tengiz Tsertsvadze, while ICU patients are being treated under the supervision of a special intensive care group.

As of Thursday, Georgia has 13,521 confirmed infection cases, of which 7,159

have recovered. 41 Georgian citizens have been transported for treatment from abroad, and 109 have died.

At this point, 5,590 people are under quarantine, 1,393 in COVID hotels and 836 are hospitalized under inpatient supervision.

TRAVEL, DINING & ENTERTAINMENT RESTRICTIONS Public transport in Adjara, including intercity transport, which has been shut since September 25 due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases, will reopen on October 19.

Yet in the Adjara region, restrictions still apply to the educational process, and to restaurants and entertainment facilities, which no longer operate after 22:00. Starting this weekend, the same restriction to entertainment facilities will enter into force in Tbilisi and Imereti.

"We have decided that from tomorrow, October 16, restaurants and all entertainment facilities in Tbilisi and Imereti will not operate after 22:00," Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia stated on Thursday.

“This is to attempt to slow down the spread of the COVID-19 virus.”

"However, everyone should understand that this is not enough,” the PM added.

“We all have our share of responsibility and this responsibility is distributed between the government, the authorities and private and state organizations," Gakharia said, urging organizations to work remotely as far as possible.

From November, Georgian citizens who have negative PCR test answers when returning to the country will no longer have to undergo mandatory quarantine in a space rented by the state;

Image source: CNN

they will instead spend 12 days in selfisolation at home. Those who do not have a test answer will still have to spend 12 days in quarantine.

The Prime Minister also announced this week that new flights to Munich and Paris are to be added to the existing routes from the end of October, to “provide more oxygen to the economy."

New direct flights to Europe from Kutaisi and Tbilisi will open in November, after which the above-mentioned change in the mandatory quarantine rule will come into effect.

Yet Paris and eight other cities in France are this weekend to be put under a 9 PM-6 AM curfew to combat a new increase in coronavirus cases. The move comes as European nations struggle to control COVID outbreaks, French President Emmanuel Macron announced during a television interview on Wednesday.

From Saturday, the French cities of Paris, Rouen, Lille, Saint-Étienne, Lyon, Grenoble, Montpellier, Marseille and Toulouse will be put under curfew starting at 9 PM. "The curfew will affect close to a third of France's population, with the intention of curtailing late-night visits to private residences and restaurants. We have to act. We need to put a brake on the spread of the virus," Macron said.

"Experts at Johns Hopkins University warned the changing of the seasons from fall to winter was expected to bring about a second wave of coronavirus infections

as people spend more time in smaller spaces indoors.

"The US has similarly seen a recent rise in coronavirus cases as temperatures drop and governments prepare for the concurrent flu season," The Hill reports in an article by Joseph Choi.

France has reported more than 700,000 cases and more than 32,000 deaths due to the coronavirus.

REMDESIVIR TO BE USED TO TREAT CRITICAL CASES Tengiz Tsertsvadze, director of the Tbilisi Infectious Diseases Hospital, this week announced that at the initiative of the Georgian government, and with the direct participation of the Ministry of Health, Georgia will receive Remdesivir for COVID-19 treatment from October 25-30.

“This medicine is a luxury: in some cases, it takes two months to deliver the medication. From October 25-30, critically ill patients with coronavirus will be treated with Remdesivir," he noted.

Remdesivir is being tested as a treatment for COVID 19, and has been authorized for emergency use in the US, India, Singapore, and approved for use in Japan, the European Union and Australia for people with severe symptoms. It also received approval in the United Kingdom in May 2020; however, it was to be rationed due to limited supply. It is thought to shorten the time it takes to recover from the infection.

President to Defense Magazine: Georgia Has Always Been a Part of the European Family TRANSLATED BY ANA DUMBADZE

T

he President of Georgia Salome Zurabishvili held an interview with the French magazine ‘Défense,’ in which she talked about Georgia's relations with France, the EU, and NATO. The Defense magazine is a bimonthly publication by the Institut des Hautes Etudes de Défense Nationale (Institute of Higher Studies of National Defense), a public administration under the French Prime Minister's Office.

In the interview, the President highlighted that “Georgia has always been a part of the European family, from which it was separated by the Soviet occupation.”

See the English version below:

YOUR ANCESTORS HAD TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY IN 1921 DUE TO THE ENTRY OF RUSSIAN SOLDIERS INTO GEORGIA. AFTER BEING THE AMBASSADOR OF FRANCE TO GEORGIA, YOU BECAME THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF GEORGIA. WITH THIS STATUS, AS A RESULT OF YOUR NEGOTIATIONS, RUSSIAN TROOPS LEFT THE TERRITORY. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT SUCH DISTINCTIVE STAGES IN YOUR LIFE? My family was forced to leave Georgia in 1921 due to the Soviet occupation of Georgia, an independent, democratic republic, and move to France with most of the political diaspora fleeing the communist regime.

We were convinced from childhood that Georgia would gain independence; the question "if" was never asked, we thought - "when?" (It would happen).

After studying at Science Po and Columbia University, I joined the French diplomatic service in the 1970s and worked in Rome, New York, N'Djamena, Vienna and Brussels until 2003, when I became the Ambassador of France to Georgia.

After the Rose Revolution, when a new government came to Georgia, I was

appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs.

My appointment was distinguished by a double agreement from the President of Georgia and the President of France.

The fact that I was born outside the Soviet Union and received a Western education certainly played a major role in my choices and priorities - moving towards Europe and NATO, normalizing relations with Russia through negotiations on the withdrawal of Russian military bases. The agreement we negotiated with my Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, was implemented, and in 2005 I witnessed how the last ship with Russian armored vehicles left Batumi, the place from which my family had to leave Georgia in 1921 during the entry of Russian occupation troops. It was a historic blink of an eye...

At that time, no-one would have thought that I would return first as Minister of Foreign Affairs and then, on the 100th anniversary of Georgia's independence, as the elected President of Georgia, the first female president of a country that had already elected five women to the first Constituent Assembly a century earlier.

IN NOVEMBER 2018, YOU WERE ELECTED PRESIDENT OF GEORGIA. WITH THIS STATUS, YOUR FIRST VISIT TOOK PLACE IN BRUSSELS, AND THEN IN PARIS. WHAT RELATIONS DOES GEORGIA HAVE WITH FRANCE, ESPECIALLY IN THE FIELD OF DEFENSE? For Georgia, France is not just a country guiding the European values we share and respect. France is our old friend, with whom we have an in-depth relationship on a number of issues. After the Red Army invaded Georgia, France was the country that received the Georgian government in exile and recognized the new USSR without recognizing the annexation of Georgia until 1934, when the Georgian representation had to be closed following an agreement under the Laval-Litvinov Pact. We remember President Sarkozy's crucial involvement in 2008. He took part in the ceasefire talks when Russian troops invaded Georgia.

Shortly after I was elected as President, one of my first visits was to Paris, where I signed the Declaration of Dimitri Amilakhvari Georgian-French Dialogue with President Macron, which established a new format for dialogue in terms of policy, diplomacy, culture, education, security and defense between Tbilisi and Paris.

I should mention that the military relationship between France and Georgia is a relationship between two strategic partners. Within the framework of cooperation between the Georgian National Defense Academy and the Saint-Cyr military military school, students regularly participate in exchange programs.

Georgia works with French militaryindustrial enterprises, as well as cooperating with NATO. Of course, we appreciate France's participation in the NATO military exercises in Georgia, and we hope that these exercises will be further expanded next year.

The Sachkhere Mountain Training School in Georgia, which operates near the occupation line, was equipped and

developed with the help of France. The Georgian army is participating in international security missions in support of France, specifically in Mali and the Central African Republic.

Our relations with France also cover the fields of education, culture and economy. Last year, we welcomed the entry of Air France into the Georgian market, and although we are very careful about opening international flights, Air France continues to operate direct flights between the two countries.

Much more can be said, however, I would add one thing, France and Georgia will continue to work together as two friends and strategic partner countries.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE EUROPEAN DESTINY OF GEORGIA? IN OTHER WORDS, IS GEORGIA'S INTEGRATION INTO THE EU A REALISTIC PROSPECT? Of course! Georgia has always been a European state and our integration into the European Union is nothing more than return to our large European fam-

ily, separated from us by the Soviet occupation.

Today, the EU faces many big challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic is unequivocally the newest and toughest challenge, and it will change the future of Europe. This pandemic forced Europe to decide whether to confront this tragedy alone, or with international solidarity.

However, Europe is a history of institutions that can rise from the ashes of challenges. Each crisis of the past has seen a stronger, more united, and futureoriented Europe emerging. Pandemics are no exception.

I understand that now in Brussels may not yet be a suitable time to make a political decision on new candidates.

During this waiting period, to achieve sectoral integration in Europe, we will knock on all the doors and turn over each stone.

Georgia already enjoys a deep and comprehensive free trade agreement with the EU, visa-free travel to the Schengen area, the Association Agreement and, at the same time, is one of the key members of the Eastern Partnership.

Europe is Georgia's main trading partner and thousands of our students benefit from the Erasmus program every year.

We are fully prepared for the next stage.

Last year, I proposed an "ad hoc" integration system that would allow us to start negotiations on accession chapters before we get candidate status. This is a pragmatic approach that deserves discussion. So, yes, Georgia's integration into the European Union is not only a realistic project, but also our only perspective. The EU has no alternative for us!

HOW POSSIBLE IS IT FOR GEORGIA TO JOIN NATO, WHEN THE COUNTRY HAS A 700 KM BORDER WITH RUSSIA? Georgia's membership in NATO is one of the issues on which the Georgian people have a common opinion. Each poll shows that at least 70% of Georgians of all political backgrounds want to join NATO. Continued on page 5

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4

POLITICS

GEORGIA TODAY

OCTOBER 16 - 22, 2020

The Sit Down: An Interview with the Ambassador of Turkey to Georgia Continued on page 1

WHAT IS YOUR PERSONAL MISSION WITH REGARDS TO THE OVERALL GEORGIAN DIPLOMATIC MISSION? I’m here as the Turkish Ambassador.

My first duty is to Turkish and Georgian relations, and that covers 28 years of relations. My job, as one of many past and future ambassadors, is to “put a brick on the wall,” and that wall is about keeping Georgia, our neighbor, safe and stable; our relations productive in every field; and, as Georgia continues its consolidation of its sovereign territory, capacity building and institution building. We as a neighbor country have the responsibility to help Georgia, and we have been doing so for the past 28 years. We are the only neighboring country to have a demarked border with Georgia, and we have been working in the cultural field, in peopleto-people contacts, economy, trade, military, defense- everything. My job is to keep those relations alive and kicking, and furthering those relations and opening up new opportunities as the circumstances change: furthering Turkish-Georgian relations on a bilateral level, but also in a regional context, providing the necessary toolkits to our Georgian friends from the Turkish side to develop regional cooperation.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE GEORGIAN GOVERNMENT AND ITS PEOPLE? As a Turkish Ambassador, my first time in such a position, I’m very comfortable and have very good access, and a very good platform, to discuss anything and everything. I’m privileged because as much as we may have different points of view, we have really comfortable platforms from which to talk about these differences, and these differences are few, because the interests of Turkey and Georgia in this region, and overall in global affairs, very much overlap.

WHAT ARE YOUR MILITARY RELATIONS WITH THE GEORGIAN DEFENSE FORCES? In the 1990s, when Georgia was independent and the Soviet Union had collapsed, Georgia had to build a nation state, and that came with all its difficulties. Georgia, like Azerbaijan, had to face issues with its territorial integrity and capacity building in terms of security and defense structures. NATO perspectives were not there at that point, it being busy elsewhere in the wake of the Cold War, and Turkey was the first country to provide Georgia training and human resources; to establish those structures, together with our allies, particularly our NATO allies- but we were at the forefront. We also provided equipment and institutionalization help. More than 2000 Georgian military defense personnel have gone through training in Turkey, and also language training. Then we started cooperation in the military-industrial field. I can’t tell you the overall cost to Turkey, but we recently signed an agreement which foresees 100 million Turkish Lira, about 50 million Lari, in a military grants program. Now we’re trying to see how we can best put those into use for developing the Georgian defense capacity. There are also some infrastructure projects that we’ve been working on together. We contributed financially to the SNGP [Substantial NATO-Georgia Package] in terms of personnel, and we have provided as a neighbor in the Black Sea, as a littoral state, coast guard capacity building by donating two coastguard boats with ongoing maintenance services.

There is a military cooperation action

plan between the two militaries for defense, and then there is the TurkeyGeorgia-Azerbaijan Ministers of Defense cooperation platform. Turkey, as one of the staunchest supporters of Georgia being a member of NATO, and of Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic efforts, will continue to support those efforts.

HOW OFTEN DO YOU TRAIN OR CONDUCT EXERCISES WITH THE GEORGIAN DEFENSE FORCES, AND ARE MORE REDUCED EXERCISES NEEDED? Are more needed? Of course. I don’t know anyone who would say we otherwise. The more exercises we have together, the more interoperability develops, which is very useful, particularly as a NATO ally. Our soldiers are cooperating in Kabul, in Afghanistan, so we have places in other countries where we cooperate. But, I can’t give you a calendar of events that we have planned together or have conducted.

But it is certainly an ongoing process.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE TURKISH MILITARY RELATIONSHIP WITH AZERBAIJAN? Azerbaijan is our very close partner, strategic partner, brother, sister; we are one nation, two states. It’s a close ally and of course we stand together with them, but we also have very close cooperation in terms of strategic projects which involve other partners.

Azerbaijan is an important energy resource in the diversification of energy sources for Europe, and Turkey, with international partners, including multinational companies and not only governments, has been instrumental in realizing the potential of Azerbaijan.

So, how close are we? We speak the same language. There are many people in Turkey whose family, whose ancestors, came from what is Azerbaijan today. Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Ukraine had to face challenges to their territorial integrity, and Turkey, not only because we feel so close to our kin, but in terms of principle, supports the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and freedom for them to cooperate with whomever they want. With these principles, we not only defend Azerbaijan but also Georgia, and Ukraine, for instance, or any other country in the region, not only in the Caucasus but also in the Balkans. When you look at our Balkans policy, it’s pretty similar. With Azerbaijan, our defense relations are also very close. We have provided them, as we did Georgia, training, equipment, and technology. Of course, it’s there, and they buy from us. It’s not only about gifting; they buy from us as they buy from other countries. We’re not the only supplier, nor even their major supplier.

MIGHT IT BECOME NECESSARY TO ASSIST THEM IN THE NOGORNOKARABAKH CONFLICT? At this stage, there has been no request from the Azerbaijani side for our support, and President [Ilham Heydar Oglu] Aliyev himself has given interviews about this. It was very clearly put by him and our president, [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan, and our Minister of Foreign Affairs, [Mevlüt] Çavusoglu.

If they need us, we might be there, but they don’t need us and we have never been a part of that conflict. We stand

by Azerbaijan in their struggle to get back their territory, and again I will underline they are now fighting in their own territory. We have also been a part of the [OSCE] Minsk Group for all these years. We try to help the co-chairs to find a solution to negotiations, and we have never been in those negotia-

tion rooms. The Minsk Group, which was established for this, takes United Nations Security Council resolutions which effectively recognized all these territories as Azerbaijan’s. We would like to see a lasting peace, not a lasting ceasefire.

conflict, and Russia is not our rival or our enemy.

Azerbaijan buys also weapons from Russia, but Russia gives the same weapons to Armenia for free. Russia and Armenia, and Russia and Azerbaijan have their own bilateral relations.

WHAT WOULD TRIGGER A MILITARY RESPONSE FROM TURKEY AND COMPEL THEIR ARMED FORCES TO INTERVENE?

HOW WOULD TURKEY RESPOND SHOULD RUSSIAN MILITARY FORCES BE USED IN THE KARABAKH REGION?

Well, if we were targeted, obviously it would compel us to protect our own territory and interests, and of course if our interests are targeted, like the international projects which we are a partner with, in the consortiums and all that, it might. But Turkey doesn’t want an escalation of this conflict. We have never been the side to escalate any conflict for any reason, because we don’t need that in the region. We need security; we need stability; but we don’t need fake peace which can come back in more destructive conflicts. It would be very hard to pull Turkey into this conflict, but I think we have proven ourselves capable of protecting ourselves and our interests when challenged.

We strongly urge all actors in the region to behave responsibly, and of course call on the belligerent side, which we believe is Armenia occupying Azerbaijani land, to fulfill their obligations according to the United Nations Security Council decisions.

What happened in July was also alarming. I personally don’t understand why no one else found it as alarming as we did, because out of nowhere one day, the Armenian forces attacked a point that is about 300 kilometers from the ceasefire line, where there are transport and energy corridors, pipelines, some 50 kilometers from the Georgian border. Why would the Armenians do that? It’s still a mystery to us, but the consequences were very serious. In Azerbaijan, there was a big public upheaval. [The attack] targeted a project which is also feeding Georgian strategic interests. It’s unacceptable.

And since then, there have been increasing provocations from the Armenian side, and of course the Azerbaijanis retaliated. As a diplomat, I ask my colleagues: where is diplomacy that should have prevented this escalation? I ask the Armenian side: why did you do this? Rather than speculating what might trigger Turkey to join the conflict, the question here is what triggered Armenia to do what it did?

WHAT IS YOUR IDEAL ENDSTATE TO THE CONFLICT, ASSUMING TOTAL PEACE IS NOT A POSSIBILITY? Well, obviously, outright peace will come through negotiations, but saying that, past negotiations, which lasted years, failed to yield a result. What the road ahead is for those negotiations is the question we should all be asking.

DO YOU SEE THE RUSSIANS AS A MILITARY OBSTACLE FOR YOU, AND AZERBAIJAN, IN THE REGION, GIVEN THEIR PRESENCE IN ARMENIA? Why should the Russians be an obstacle for us? We’re not a part of this conflict. The Russian base in Armenia, in Gyumri, has been there for a long, long time, since the Cold War days, and actually Armenia is the only country I think in the region which hosts a Russian base. And, obviously, Armenia is part of the CSTO, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, which they are in with Russia. Azerbaijan is not a part of it and Turkey is a NATO member, so, we don’t have a place in that

I think Prime Minister [Nikol] Pashinyan called President Putin a couple of times. We don’t know what they talked about. But the Russians declared, and the CSTO declared, that their responsibility is towards Armenia. The Azerbaijanis are recognizant of the fact that the CSTO would be compelled to help Armenia if Armenian territory was under attack. Some speculate the reason the CSTO is not coming to help is because it’s not Armenian territory now. That is, the clashes are ongoing.

GEORGIA IS A CLOSE NEIGHBOR, BOTH POLITICALLY AND GEOGRAPHICALLY. HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE GEORGIA ACT IN THIS CONFLICT? Again, my job is to make sure TurkishGeorgian relations continue flourishing, as they have been doing. Georgia has a very principled approach in terms of its own territorial integrity, and I believe it is also a country which, being in the Council of Europe and the United Nations, has approached all questions from that perspective. I don’t think Georgia will change its principled approach about territorial integrity and sovereignty. Georgia has never been an irredentist state, even in the Turkish case, as there have been some provocations from different marginal sources which questioned Turkish territorial integrity. But the Georgian government has always been responsible in answering such marginal provocations.

With this conflict, of course the government is in a hard place. There’s a conflict going on between their two neighbors, Armenia and Azerbaijan, with one of their neighbors occupying the other’s territory. Of course, with the Georgian principled approach, they would have to manage the situation.

It’s very delicate. We respect Georgia’s stance on being respectful to the United Nations resolutions, international law, and good neighborly relations. Georgia has a minority Armenian and Azeri population, and it is very important, of course, to respect these Georgian citizens from different backgrounds, and to understand they should not be able to push Georgia into the conflict.

To be frank, I have not seen any signs of such conduct from the Azerbaijani community here, just some provocations in Akhalkalaki in which the community leaders, church, and Georgian government had a dialogue.

Turkey and Turkish diplomats have been targeted by certain terrorist groups with a single issue, and they have targeted Turkish interests and Turkish diplomats. Since 1973, we have lost 31 Turkish diplomats to terrorism, and, unfortunately, in the past two years, we have seen a revival of that group.

It’s called ASALA [Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia].

In any case, it is worrisome, and we would like all such provocations, and attempts at provocations by third parties, prevented, because there are many peaceful, loyal citizens of Georgia who are of Armenian ethnic origin too. We wouldn’t want to see them targeted as one of these ‘Dashnak’. It’s part of the history of this region: the ‘Dashnaksuyun’, as we and the Armenians call

them, and Tbilisi was a ‘Dashnaksuyun’ city in the 19th century: that’s where they started.

WOULD YOU EXPECT MORE OR LESS ACTIVITY FROM THE GEORGIANS IN THE FUTURE, PARTICULARLY GIVEN THE COMING GEORGIAN ELECTIONS? I don’t think the Georgian foreign policy is being influenced by the elections in this regard. I wouldn’t expect that to happen, and it shouldn’t happen.

WHAT DOES THE LONGTERM HOLD FOR TURKEY WITH REGARDS TO THE DISPUTED REGIONS? Well, we’re part of the Caucasus, as much as we’re a part of the Balkans, or the Mediterranean, or the larger Black Sea, or the Middle East. We have a vested interest in having a stable, secure, prospering region.

We’ve seen annexations, we’ve seen occupations, we’ve seen turmoil, and we’ve seen disintegrating states. There is a lot of instability around us, and we would like to see those instabilities stabilized, because this is how you prosper.

In Turkey, there are Georgian ethnic citizens, there are Abkhaz ethnic origin Turkish citizens, as there are Kurds, Arabs, ethnic Turkomans, Turks, and Armenians. We believe stability and security in this region will not come if we don’t all agree not to use proxy, not to be irredentist, not to be revisionist, and to start using new media, new platforms for people to really get to know each other. I’ve seen too many prejudices in Georgia about Turkey, though we’ve been living together for at least a thousand years. While these 28 years have seen constant interaction, the Turks still don’t know Georgia, and the Georgians still don’t know Turkey beyond some trade relations, and very good trade relations by the way, or Istanbul airport or the beaches.

In turn, the Turks think Georgia is about Batumi, which it’s not. With due respect to Batumi, I think there is a wonderful Georgia beyond the city.

And people here, when picturing Turkey, tend to think of the Russian empire propaganda, or in terms of mythology.

When I was appointed here, I had difficulty persuading people that I was the Ambassador, not the wife of the Ambassador, and they’ve ask, do you have Caucasian blood? I say yes, but I also have the other blood as well, so blood is not that important in this.

So, yes, there are lots of prejudices.

I’ve heard horrible anecdotes about Armenians. I’ve heard horrible anecdotes about Azeris, and I’ve heard horrible anecdotes about Georgians, and about Turks too. So this people-topeople contact, with real intellectual content, needs to be developed. Trade is developing, the economy is working.

But trade and economy is not enough.

We need to build on that, in terms of addressing those prejudices, mythology, and distrust. That distrust is the direct product of 19th century imperialism. It’s time to move on: this is the 21st century, and our children, the next generation, should not inherit 200-yearold problems. That’s my vision of what we should be working on. And we shouldn’t rely on, with respect, USAID, or the Germans, or the Swiss, to do it for us: we are the ones who have been living together here for centuries. We have to get away from thousands of years of mythology, battles and bad history, and focus on the future. If we don’t look ahead, we’ll have to leave it to the next generation, and they deserve better than that.

BUSINESS

GEORGIA TODAY OCTOBER 16 - 22, 2020

5

THE ISET ECONOMIST A BLOG ABOUT ECONOMICS AND THE SOUTH CAUCAUS

www.iset-pi.ge/blog

The ISET Policy Institute (ISET-PI, www.iset-pi.ge) is an independent think-tank associated with the International School of Economics at TSU (ISET). Our blog carries economic analysis of current events and policies in Georgia and the South Caucasus region ranging from agriculture, to economic growth, energy, labor markets and the nexus of economics, culture and religion. Thought-provoking and fun to read, our blog posts are written by international faculty teaching at ISET and recent graduates representing the new generation of Georgian, Azerbaijani and Armenian economists.

To Subsidize or Not to Subsidize Georgia’s Wine Sector?

considering other industries; • Private investment in R&D might decline due to subsidies. Given that the major source of public spending is taxes, increasing taxes in order to generate more funds for subsidies diminishes the enterprise’s revenues and reduces its ability to invest in R&D; • Production subsidies provided to increase the production of goods and services might lead to overproduction.

This is the case when “Akura” intervenes in the market and buys excess grapes; • The subsidized industries might be lobbied due to the availability of subsidies, which again results in the unfair treatment of industries.

Given that during the last two years (2018-2019), even in case of reduced direct subsidies to farmers, the sector performed well in terms of production and exports, it is time for the state to consider terminating subsidies in order to see how the sector performs in their absence.

BY SALOME DEISADZE, SALOME GELASHVILI, IA KATSIA

R

tveli 2020- a traditional vintage and rural harvest holiday in Georgia accompanied by feasts, musical events and other celebrations, started on August 26. This year, the Government of Georgia (GoG) is subsidizing the grape harvest to support growers in selling their products. 0.3 GEL of the total 0.8 GEL per kg of Rkatsiteli or Kakhuri Mtsvane is subsidized. In case of extreme need, the GoG will be involved in the purchase of grapes as well. Supporting the wine sector is part of the anti-crisis plan to handle the economic challenges caused by COVID-19.

Since rtveli is not over yet, the final statistics on the quantity of grapes sold by farmers and their incomes, are not yet available. By October 1, 165 wine producers and around 21 thousand grape growers had participated in “Rtveli 2020”; furthermore, around 227.2 ths. tons of grapes had been sold and the corresponding income for farmers was GEL 235.8 mln. Farmers’ incomes (GEL 314 mln) and the quantity of grapes sold (263 ths. tons) were particularly high during the last two years (2018-2019).

2020 is not the first year the GoG has subsidized the grape harvest. In general, the GoG has used two types of subsidies: direct and indirect. Direct subsidies involve cash payments to farmers per kg of grapes. An indirect subsidy is organized through state companies responsible for purchasing grapes from farmers.

The GoG started to subsidize the sector in 2008. Initially, the decision was made to offset the negative effects of the Russian embargo and encourage the viticulture and winemaking sectors in Georgia. The total subsidy issued for grapes (direct payments to farmers) from 2008 to 2017 amounted to GEL 192 mln.

In addition to direct payments to farmers, in 2016-2017, the GoG spent on average GEL 40 mln per year buying excess product and even damaged grapes from farmers through the state company “Akura”.

In 2018, state representatives announced that it would be the first grape harvest without state subsidy since 2008. However, "Akura" was instructed to take the necessary measures to receive and process grapes from “Rtveli 2018”. "Akura" had to buy the grapes left on the market after private companies purchased grapes.

The National Procurement Agency approved a GEL 10 mln grape procure-

Table 1. Total volume processed, and subsidies, 2008-2017

WHAT IS AN ALTERNATIVE TO SUBSIDIES?

Source: National Wine Agency, 2020.

ment project to implement the purchase.

The same thing happened in “Rtveli 2019”; the GoG subsidized the sector through state company “Akura”, and spent GEL 80 mln on direct purchases from farmers.

SUPPORT THROUGH THE NATIONAL WINE AGENCY (NWA) The GoG actively supports the wine sector through the National Wine Agency (NWA). Among other things, the NWA controls the quality and certification procedures for wine production, and promotes Georgian wine on foreign markets. From 2013-2016, the GoG’s spending on support for the wine sector (including grape subsidies, promotion of Georgian wine and campaigns increasing awareness) was around GEL 40 mln.

(Figure 1).

From 2017, the GoG decreased its spending to a minimum of GEL 9.2 mln in 2018.

Meanwhile, the volume of processed grapes, as well as wine exports, have been increasing, and reached their maximum in 2019. In 2019, Georgian wine

producers processed 271 ths. tons, the highest indicator in the last 30 years, and exported 70.1 mln liters of wine.

SO, DO THESE SUBSIDIES WORK OR NOT? Some studies argue the positive impact of subsidies on performance. The subsidies can increase the supply of goods, lower their prices, and make subsidized goods and services more affordable to consumers. These subsidies might prevent the long-term decline of industries.

They might also contribute to higher investments in enterprise development.

When, for example, interest payments are co-financed by the state, subsidies reduce the cost of money for firms. This allows firms to spare resources and invest in their enterprises’ further development.

While subsidization is utilized all over the world to promote growth, and is believed to address market failure (Summers, 1991), subsidies distort markets and are associated with the following negative outcomes: • Subsidies create the wrong incentives among market players, who become

dependent on state subsidies. “Akura’s” purchase of low-quality grapes might lead some farmers to neglect quality; • Some businesses are preferred over others, and gain a competitive advantage due to their preferential treatment. This leads to a distorted distribution of investments over industries. Many producers might invest in vineyards due to the availability of state subsidies, instead of

Given that the state, by nature, usually lacks incentives to invest as effectively and efficiently as the private sector does, its role on the market should be more directed towards designing an efficient public policy and regulatory framework for businesses. So, what measures other than subsidies can the state undertake to support the wine industry?

Some solutions include further promoting Georgian wine on international markets and diversifying trade partners; ensuring producers’ adherence to food safety standards in order to ensure high quality grapes and wine; and providing high-quality extension services to grape and wine producers. All of these measures will contribute to sustainable, longterm growth in the sector and will spare state resources currently spent on subsidies.

Figure 1. Volume of processed grapes, wine export, and government spending in the wine sector at current prices

Source: National Wine Agency, UNComtrade, Ministry of Finance, 2020.

President to Defense Magazine: Georgia Has Always Been a Part of the European Family Continued from page 2 On the other hand, the sentiments are clear: Georgia has been one of NATO's closest and most reliable partners for years. Secretary General Ian Stoltenberg confirmed that Georgia will sooner or later join the Alliance.

This year, northern Macedonia became the 30th member of NATO, which shows that there is a desire to expand the alliance and we are in a privileged position.

We are constantly adapting to the NATO military spending standard, constantly updating our defense capabilities, and the Georgian Armed Forces is one of the Alliance's largest contributors to the Mission in Afghanistan.

Yes, in 2008 we had to confront Russia

in an unequal and tragic war; Yes, we still have to live with unresolved conflicts, which include human rights abuses, largescale occupation, and the borderization of our territory. However, Russia has not achieved its main goal, it has not been able to divert us from the road to the West.

Georgia has proved its resilience. The resilience that has shaped our identity for centuries and of which we are proud.

Georgia is closer to NATO than ever before, and the international community is constantly making statements in support of our national sovereignty, territorial integrity and Euro-Atlantic integration. Our allies have also stated that no third country will be able to veto our path.

SINCE 2008, 20% OF GEORGIA

(THE [TSKHINVALI] SOUTH OSSETIA AND ABKHAZIA REGIONS) HAVE BEEN OCCUPIED BY RUSSIAN TROOPS. DOES THE CONFLICT REMAIN FROZEN IF THERE IS A POSSIBILITY TO RESOLVE IT? It is difficult to qualify this conflict as frozen when we see what is happening directly on the ground. Dozens of Georgians have died after the checkpoints were closed due to lack of access to health services, and our citizens are being held hostage in their homes. Human rights abuses have become a daily struggle, while borderization continues to alienate families.

These processes are still going on, despite Secretary-General Antonio

Guterres' call for a ceasefire around the world during the pandemic. However, this pandemic has shown the people living in the occupied territories that Georgia will be able to manage the global crisis and deserve the praise of the international community. Georgian hospitals received patients from the occupied territories and received international assistance through Georgia.

Ultimately, the only way to resolve the conflict is through dialogue. We know that war is not the solution, and Georgia has chosen the path of peace. The Geneva International Talks played a crucial role in maintaining the dialogue, although it became too technical and did not allow for the discussion of key issues.

That is why I call for the transition to

a more political stage in the negotiations.

Diplomacy and dialogue can help us solve the biggest problems. In 2005, we were able to withdraw Russian military bases from Georgia through dialogue.

To resolve this conflict, we need political dialogue, under the supervision of our Western partners.

I am hopeful!

This is not the first case of occupation of Georgia, yet we always find our unity.

To me, during President Steinmeier's visit to Georgia last year, the part of the Berlin Wall delivered was very symbolic.

If Europe divided by the Iron Curtain was able to unite and become stronger, Georgia will be able to do the same!

Interview with the French publication Défense

6

BUSINESS

GEORGIA TODAY

OCTOBER 16 - 22, 2020

Poti FIZ CEO on the Benefits of World Free Zone Organization Membership INTERVIEW BY NINI DAKHUNDARIDZE

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nvisaged by the Tax Code of Georgia, a Free Industrial Zone (FIZ) is a businessfriendly economic zone where favourable regulations and taxes apply. Among other benefits, these zones attract foreign investment, help local firms present themselves on the global market, all the while reviving the country’s export potential and creating new jobs. So, it comes as no surprise that Free Industrial Zones play a key role in the socioeconomic development of a country. Georgia is no exception. Poti Free Industrial Zone (Poti FIZ), a pioneer of the five functioning Free Industrial Zones in the country, has recently become a representative of Georgia in the World Free Zone Organization. In an interview with GEORGIA TODAY, Poti FIZ CEO, David Ebralidze discusses the importance of this international membership and its benefits, the role of business communities in strengthening the regional integration of the Caucasus and Caspian countries, some of Poti FIZ’s current projects, being in the COVID “Green Zone”, and more.

GEORGIA HAS FIVE INDUSTRIAL ZONES. WHAT MAKES THE POTI FREE INDUSTRIAL ZONE PARTICULARLY ATTRACTIVE TO INVESTORS? The Poti Free Industrial Zone is one of the most strategic and successful companies within Smart Capital Group, the latter being one of Georgia’s leading private investment holdings, employing over 1000 people and operating across different sectors: energy and petroleum, real estate development, hospitality, technology, manufacturing and logistics.

Currently, the group coalesces successful companies and development-oriented professionals, who create diverse business opportunities and significant investments for the country.

Poti FIZ is the first free industrial zone in Georgia. We were the pioneers who introduced the concept of free industrial zones in Georgia, developed and participated in the preparation and adoption of the main legislative bases related to free industrial zones. We introduced the advantages of free zones to Georgian society and the Caucasus region, and created an important platform for further development of other free zones in Georgia.

It is a well-known fact that various types of free zones are ideally created adjacent to sea ports. One of the main goals for industrial zones is rapid receipt delivery of goods and active participation in supply chain. Initially when thinking about location of new FIZ, the most significant location was chosen strategically, not only in Georgia but in the Black Sea and Caucasus Region. Poti FIZ is located in the centre of the Silk Road and international transport and logistics corridors. Its location is one of the distinctive advantages over other free industrial zones in the country.

We offer numberless logistics and supply chain advantages to companies looking for rapid growth. Remote management operations notably increased the importance of such services during the pandemic, when company representatives were able to run their businesses smoothly on a remote basis.

Another huge factor which distinguishes Poti FIZ from other FIZs in Georgia is the direct access to the international railway line, which makes it possible to receive/send cargo by rail. With convenient transportation infrastructure, including rail and road, sea and air international ports, we aim to become an important industrial and trade centre.

Rapidity and diversity are our main assets. We offer a range of options to

business start-ups with simplified registration in any legal ownership form, with minimum capital requirements. By rapidity we mean company registration and license issuance finalization within one working day. Another distinguishing advantage is our two custom points, which are available 24/7 for road and rail cargo. There are several international freight forwarding and transportation companies in the city successfully utilizing the easiest and shortest access to international airports of Tbilisi and Batumi. Our professional team offers investors assistance at each stage of project development, from obtaining a certificate of origin and preparation of respective sector research, to consultations related to various environmental and construction permits, which is an additional incentive for investors to obtain full information in the first place and simplifies project implementation for investors.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR POTI FREE INDUSTRIAL ZONE TO BE ABLE TO REPRESENT GEORGIA INTERNATIONALLY THROUGH THE WORLD FREE ZONES ORGANIZATION, AND WHY DID THE ORGANIZATION CHOOSE POTI FIZ? The World Free Zone Organization (WFZO) is the largest and most influential international association of 1,700 entities globally, representing the interests of free zones around the world.

According to Dr Samir Hamrun, Executive Director of WFZO, “By appointing representatives in different countries, the organization expands its service space, provides problem-solving in the regional context, and shares experiences to address the challenges facing free economic zones.”

It is a great honour for Poti FIZ to be named as its official representative in Georgia by such an prominent international organization. Strengthening cooperation with the WFZO is an important lever to expand relations with investors and increase our position in the world market.

We have been cooperating with them for several years, being their member and participating in various events. We have jointly conducted workshops and B2B meetings in the Emirates, collaborating in different directions, which mainly involved sharing experiences of different free industrial zones. During the cooperation period, Poti FIZ showed itself as a successful and reliable partner of irreversible development, and the decision was made accordingly. Being able to represent Georgia internationally means that we gather and share knowledge from different zones, receive and give diverse education, as well as valuable operational, administrative, educational and networking services. We are ready to meet best-in-class standards that enhance the economic ecosystem, as well as guidelines for establishment and administration.

ARE THERE ANY BENEFITS TO BEING A PART OF THE WORLD FREE ZONES ORGANIZATION FOR POTI FIZ ITSELF, FOR YOUR INVESTORS, OR EMPLOYEES? WFZO Membership will primarily enable us to share the experience and recommendations of other more developed free zones, to bring their success story into our reality, which in turn implies legislative changes that make Georgian free industrial zones even more flexible and attractive for investors.

Within the framework of our cooperation we plan to organize informative seminars at various universities and with private sector to share information on the importance and potential of FIZs in the development of the economy of the country and the region. We are considering organizing a business forum, which

will be attended by FIZ officials who are part of the said organization.

Being a part of the WFZO means countless opportunities for the internal group.

To be more precise, it implies receiving a range of operational and administrative support services, high-level training, networking services, workshops and online webinars throughout the year.

Members will also benefit from educational tools for the zone through a range of online portals where the latest studies on free zones around the world are readily available, as well as monthly newsletters, and a regular bulletin tackling key industry opportunities and challenges.

Our strategy has always been to look ahead, therefore our main objective is constant expansion and improvement of our organization. As a result, we create transparent, superior, clear, risk-free environment for the investor

WOULD YOU SAY LEGISLATIVE CHANGES, ESPECIALLY REGARDING FREE INDUSTRIAL ZONES, WOULD HELP MAKE GEORGIA EVEN MORE ATTRACTIVE TO INVESTORS? Currently, a lot of countries compete to attract foreign investment by offering a beneficial business environment. Political stability, low taxes and regulations, a cheap and qualified workforce, a stable microeconomic environment, economic openness, natural resources, a strategic location, free trade and corruption-free rule, are all factors that encourage investment inflow. Georgia is outstanding in all the indices mentioned above.

Georgia has also become the regional hub for companies looking to expand in the Black Sea, Caucasus, and Caspian region. Strategically located on the “Silk Road”, Georgia is a transit corridor with strategic access to the sea, and a door to Europe, connecting China to the European Continent.

Business and investor friendly regulations play a crucial role in attracting new and expanding businesses to Georgia. A stable economic environment and competitive operating costs contribute significantly to Georgia’s manufacturing and trading development.

As for the legislative changes, the FIZ legislation was created in 2008 and there is a necessity for amendments. With this regard, together with other FIZs of Georgia, we are in constant communication with relevant government authorities whereby proposing implementation of specific legislative changes. However, making appropriate amendments require detailed justification and consideration, which itself is linked to due timing. The said improvements and amendments will increase the flow of investment from different countries in different sectors.

WHAT ROLE DOES THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY PLAY IN STRENGTHENING THE REGIONAL INTEGRATION OF CAUCASUS AND CASPIAN COUNTRIES? ARE THERE ANY REGIONAL PROJECTS AT POTI FIZ AT THIS TIME? We have the opportunity to be a regional

centre for development of industrial sector, as well as the creation of a trade/ logistics hub. Indeed, all infrastructural development, refinement of the transport corridor and establishment of a unified system, which is underway throughout the region, will further contribute to the integration of Poti FIZ into the regional supply chain.

All FIZ projects are of a regional-scale since the Georgian market is not large.

Therefore, the projects are designed for the region, especially the CIS countries, for which there is a higher chance of obtaining a preferential certificate of origin. At the same time, some companies export their products to European and US markets. Particularly noteworthy is an example of one of Poti FIZ's new projects, "SDT Georgia" LLC, an enterprise with manufacturing plants located in Europe and China. "SDT Georgia" LLC is a part of an international supply chain and plans to produce automotive components from imported aluminium and zinc bars for world-leading automotive industry.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR CURRENT BIG PROJECTS. I will highlight the following projects which are already operating in Poti FIZ: Serchem Industrial lubricants LLC - a company producing high-quality lubricants and industrial chemicals in Poti FIZ, which was established in 2017 with Turkish investment. Its wide range of industrial products is used in 14 different industrial sectors. The main export markets are Russia and the CIS countries.

The company currently employs up to 10 people and plans to expand production in the future.

K & Georgian Spirits LLC - is the first large-scale project in Poti FIZ, which will produce high quality branded alcohol and export it to various countries around the world. The foundation for the construction of the factory was laid in 2014. The first stage of construction, installation of equipment and reservoirs has been completed so far. From the start of production, it will become one of the largest brands and producer and exporter of cognac spirits in the Caucasus region.

The company currently employs 20 people; At this stage, it imports and exports products to Russia and France.

Intermetal Georgia LLC - a factory which is producing the metal rooftop tiles, was incorporated with Azerbaijan investment in 2015. From the beginning of production, it became one of the largest suppliers of construction products in the Azerbaijan market. The company is still active and has 15 employees.

In terms of new projects: Davr International Trading LLC - a nut processing factory with the production area of 1000 sq.m., has been drying, roasting and packing different types of nuts (cashew, almonds, pistachio) in test mode from February 2020. Roasted nuts are exported mainly to CIS countries.

The factory will process 125 tons of nuts every month in the first stage. The enterprise already employed about 20 local workers and further plans to expand its workforce.

Georgian Technology FIZ LLC - a company established in 2018 and engaged in electronic circuits , integrated systems and other electronic products trading.

In 2019 company decided to set up the production unit inside Poti FIZ. To date, the interior renovation works of the leased building and the installation of high-tech equipment have been completed. Basic raw materials (electrical circuits, electrical components, cables and electrodes) will be imported from Turkey, China, Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea, while the final products (electrical circuits, programmable chips, sensors, electronic devices) will be exported to the USA the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia.

SDT Georgia LLC - automotive component production factory which will supply a large scape automotive industry of EU countries as well as China, USA and Mexico. In the first year of production, it is planned to export components worth up to 5 million USD, the volume of which will increase every year.

In the first phase, the plant will employ up to 60 local employees, the said number will increase to 100 employees by the end of 2021. The workers employed in the factory will undergo special training in China at a similar plant in Suzhou.

The company has already sent the first batch of group for training. The company secured all the necessary construction and environmental permits to start construction work.

HOW HAS THE PANDEMIC IMPACTED POTI FIZ? I would like to emphasize our role as FIZ Administrator in terms of flexible and operational management both during and post-pandemic. Even during this hard period, cargo movement was never delayed and the statistics of our turnover is evidence to that, not dropping below the 2019 data.

A well-planned information campaign gave our investors all proper instructions to run their businesses non-stop. Drivers of international cargo carriers who were at high risk were also instructed.

With proper management, no cases of COVID-19 have been reported on the territory of Poti FIZ. Not a single enterprise or trading company has stopped its operations in Poti FIZ, and, consequently, Poti FIZ still maintains the status of a ”Green Zone“.

WHAT POST-COVID PLANS FOR POTI FIZ CAN YOU SHARE WITH US? In March 2020, we developed a postpandemic strategy tailored to specific sectors and specific regions. We prepared sector studies that reflect our commercial offerings and justify the benefits of Poti FIZ for said sectors, especially pharmaceuticals and FMCG products, which became significantly in demand during this period, along with sectors most affected by the supply problem caused by the isolation of China. Consequently, it became necessary to find alternative locations in order to reduce delivery time and which would be less sensitive to such global problems.

We mainly position on medium and small business projects, with an investment volume of up to 30 million GEL, though this does not exclude attraction of large projects to Poti FIZ. Our team is intellectually and professionally ready to take on all the challenges that today's world offers us and to successfully manage the planned strategy to attract as much investment as possible in the country.

Since the movement between countries is limited, we participate in various webinars or online forums. We also plan meetings with embassies and chambers in an online format to preserve contact to the extent possible, to prevent an information vacuum, and to disseminate as much information about the ongoing processes as possible.

BUSINESS

GEORGIA TODAY OCTOBER 16 - 22, 2020

7

Carrefour Continues Digital Expansion: Products of French Brand Now Available on Vendoo

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ustomers across Georgia are set to be pleasantly surprised and delighted, with Carrefour - the largest hypermarket and supermarket chain in Georgia - set to transform their shopping experiences with the unveiling of exciting, new digital offerings. Operated in Georgia by Majid Al Futtaim, Carrefour is renowned for the unrivalled choice of products it offers its customers. The brand is set to improve upon this access as it builds on its ongoing digital expansion and collaborates with equally driven and forward-thinking partners to redefine the modern retail experience and satisfy even more customers.

Across the country — from Tbilisi to Zugdidi; Batumi to Rustavi — Carrefour customers can now purchase imported non-food items through Vendoo, an online shopping space that enables users to easily cross post and sell items on multiple marketplaces. Using Vendoo, Carrefour customers will be able to enjoy a smoother, more convenient and streamlined retail journey, with their ordered items being delivered straight to their doors.

This newly announced partnership between Carrefour and Vendoo also safeguards customers’ health and wellbeing in the wake of COVID-19, supporting them to shop from the safety and comfort of their own homes.

Additionally, Carrefour customers can also use Vendoo to access and shop for the very latest kitchen and bathroom accessories, a wide range of home decoration items, agricultural products and yard furniture; all without having to set foot outside of their own homes. Car-

refour customers will also be rewarded with 20 per cent discounts — if they shop online using a VISA card — when ordering through Vendoo.

With the festive season fast approaching, Carrefour is already encouraging its customers to get into the spirit of giving by unveiling its impressive selection of new and affordable Christmas accessories. Customers can take to Vendoo to browse the new seasonal range, add to the upcoming festivities and make their celebrations truly unforgettable by purchasing any one of the brands charming Christmas accessories.

Vendoo is the first online shopping space in Georgia to connect customers and suppliers throughout the country, providing shoppers the best products in the best possible conditions at the best prices — all while prioritising customers’ comfort.

Currently, there are 20 major categories on Vendoo, each with their own additional subcategories. Today, there are more than 400 stores on the platform, with over 40,000 products available for customers to buy. Shoppers can browse and purchase these items at any time of the day — 24 hours a day; seven days a week. The platform also offers dedicated online shopping assistance and a speedy delivery service that covers the entirety of Georgia. Recently, Carrefour has been proactively expanding — both physically and digitally. The brand has accelerated its expansion plans to provide even more customers with unique shopping experiences. Today, especially in light of COVID19, customers demand increasingly personalised experiences; experiences that reflect their growing focus on safety and

convenience when they shop. As always, Carrefour strives to satisfy its customers and cater to their needs, delivering a renewed shopping experience that allows customers to embark on accessible and streamlined retail journeys. In partnering with platforms such as Vendoo, or developing equally cutting-edge digital spaces of its own, Carrefour is leading the way in embracing multi-format retail: a new way of shopping that allows customers to shop with ease and peace of mind; whether using their mobile phones, an app or by visiting an engaging website.

This physical and digital expansion also underlines Carrefour’s commitment to the local economy, extending the brand’s ongoing support of the communities it serves, and Georgia as a whole.

The brand recently celebrated the opening of five new local stores in the country, including a new outlet in Zugdidi. These stores openings create allimportant employment opportunities, doing so across the country in areas such as Batumi, Gori, and the capital, Tbilisi — where residents will all benefit from the stepping stones these new jobs present. The opening of the new stores maintains Carrefour’s position as one of the largest job creators in the local market, with the brand’s many outlets generating employment for over 2,000 locals.

The economic benefits these stores present, along with the fact that each and every one of the newly launched Carrefour outlets offers the communities they cater to increased access to a wide variety of high-quality food items and household goods, including exclusive French products made by Carrefour,

underscores the brand’s commitment to increasing Georgians’ accessibility to quality products at the best prices.

With 29 local stores now in operation throughout the country, Carrefour continues to provide its customers with more access to fresh and healthy products at affordable prices.

Moreover, Carrefour plans to open five additional branches within one month in order to be as close as possible to its

customers, satisfy their needs and offer the best value. This is at the very heart and core of the brand’s mission, vision and values; it is what sets it apart and distinguished it as a truly communityminded and customer-focused one. Ultimately, be it with its expansion or its focus on quality, the brand simply wants to reward its loyal Georgian customers and communities; creating great memories for every one, every day.

Minister: Georgia's Economy Gradually Returning to Positive Development

BY ANA DUMBADZE

G

eorgia's economy is gradually returning to a positive stage of development, Natia Turnava, the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, stated on Monday.

"The foreign trade statistics for Sep-

tember have been published, and it is good to see that our exports increased by 8.6% that month. At the same time, imports decreased, which means that the foreign trade balance has improved," she noted. The Minister pointed out that a special contribution to the growth of exports was made by agricultural and textile products.

“As reported by the National Statistics Office of Georgia (Geostat), exports

increased in September to GEL 332 million. At the same time, the trade deficit improved by $98.5 million. Regarding the period of January-September 2020, the trade deficit decreased by $752.6 million to $3,314.1 million. It is noteworthy that in 2019, exports reached a record high of 3,798.4 million, meaning that it increased by 12.4% compared to the previous year," the Ministry of Economy has reported.

Winners of NASA Space Apps Challenge Georgia Revealed from a Beeline-Supported Hackathon

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eeline is a telecommunications brand known for its focus on youth and an innovative, better future. Following this strategy, Beeline has been rooting for hackathons to take place in Georgia for several years, and 2020 was no exception.

Co-organized by the Tbilisi Startup Bureau and Ilia State University, from October 2 to 4, an online hackathon took place in Georgia. This is the second time Beeline, a member of international group VEON, has supported a local competition for the largest international hackathon in the world.

The NASA Space Apps Challenge takes place over 48 hours in 225 different places around the globe, aiming at generating ideas that will help solve real global problems. Anyone interested in studying the Earth and space, coding, technology, design, and other applied sciences, can participate in the NASA Space Apps Challenge. For its ninth annual event, this year NASA presented 22 challenges, divided into six categories: observation, informing, maintaining, creating, confronting, and connecting. The winning teams have already been awarded cash

prizes and are now participating in NASA’s global prize competition.

The judges decided to award the first place prize to Fire Detectors, a team compiled by Karlo Tevzadze, Mariam Shereshashvili, and Giorgi Tkebuchava,

all Ilia University students. ‘The Two Degrees,’ a team of four high-school juniors (Davit Domuzashvili, Nika Svanidze, Nika Gaprindashvili, and Aleksandre Lashkarava) came second.

"We identified several ways to solve a

problem, which led to a common goal: to find the source of fire through a grid we created, before the fire went beyond a small scale, in some cases even before it arose, and to strengthen observation at these points. The project aims to cre-

ate software that will process past data on fires by location, as well as take into account the weather forecast, time of year, days of the week, forest development area, tourist routes, etc. All the details that could have an effect on the origin of a fire,” Shereshashvili, a member of Fire Detectors, told us.

"We believe that bringing emission statistics to the local level is one of the most important steps one can take to tackle climate change. Our project aims to assist regional governments in implementing climate change mitigation measures and reducing Georgia's GHG emissions by 25% under the Paris Agreement.

The project includes a code that can easily be used to regionalize emissions from other countries,” said Domuzashvili, member of The Two Degrees.

Supporting hackathons is just one example of Beeline’s continued support for the start-up ecosystem, and the development of innovations in the country, prioritizing the creation of new opportunities for youth while stimulating their aspirations. Tbilisi Startup Bureau and Beeline first collaborated within the scope of NASA Space Apps Challenge back in 2019.

8

BUSINESS

GEORGIA TODAY

OCTOBER 16 - 22, 2020

EU Supported Local Action Groups in Georgia Mobilizing Communities ment various activities.

The LAG has encouraged greater community involvement in the municipality.

LAG activities involve more than 30 active citizens from the Khulo Municipality, both civil and private, as well as the public sector. According to Rodam Shavadze, Chair of the Khulo LAG, involving people with different backgrounds in civic activities “would let us be more objective and attract more people. The involvement of young people is especially important because our future depends on them, so what empowers youth is well-spent.”

The Khulo LAG has funded 73 local development initiatives, including two sewing shop projects in the communities of Khulo and Borjomi. Both sewing shops employ up to 15 women, never employed before, and now as happy as can be working there.

The LAG also funded Besik Dekanadze's project to fully equip a dental workshop, reducing the service costs for the population.

1

000 jobs in rural areas and almost 10,000 improved lives – that is the impact so far of community-based rural development in Georgia, through EU supported local action groups (LAGs). Follow the EU’s information campaign “My Village” and find out more from stories about how LAGs work and the impressive initiatives they are supporting in the regions!

The EU-supported Local Action Groups (LAGs) in Georgia follow with democratic principles of governance and development and envisage active public involvement and participation in decision-making. LAGs bring together private, public, and civil society sectors at the local level. They identify rural development priorities and draft local development strategies based on the municipality's needs and capabilities analysis and then provide EU-funded grants to support local development initiatives.

The LAG's effective work depends on its members: on the mobilization of the local private, public, and civil sectors to identify and respond to problems in the region. Based on the analysis of the municipality's needs and capabilities, the LAG identifies development priorities and drafts a local development strategy.

In this article, you will read the success stories of some of the Georgian LAGs.

TETRITSKARO LAG The Tetritskaro LAG has been functioning for three years and over time, despite the inhabitants' initial skepticism, the LAG has completely changed the municipality's life: locals have realized they could make their wishes or dreams a reality in their neighborhood.

In its activities, the Tetritskaro LAG follows a consistent pattern: initiatives start with identifying a problem that is then addressed by engaging all the three

sectors. According to Nino Tikishvili, Chair of the Tetritskaro LAG, “local communities know their needs better, so they identify the existing problems and decide on the ways to address them. It should be emphasized that the LAG is a multisectoral platform bringing together representatives of the civil, public, and private sectors. This way it’s more effective as they all share their experiences and opinions with the team for reaching a common goal.” Before the project, there were no tourist attractions, and farmers could not afford to buy necessary agricultural equipment. However, the LAG, with the support of the EU ENPARD program, created new opportunities in Tetritskaro, involving the population in problem-solving, and just last year, more than 500 hectares of land were cultivated in the municipality, and family hotels/ guesthouses were invested in, constructing the new and improving the old ones.

Also, the Tetritskaro LAG was actively involved at the national or international level, which helped to raise awareness locally.

The Tetritskaro LAG has already funded more than 80 local development initiatives, among them updating and promoting kindergartens, reshaping the region’s economic and social environment.

KEDA LAG Keda is rich in natural and human resources that were not used properly.

Before the LAG project was implemented, businesses were mainly limited to agriculture and tourism, the service sector was substandard; awareness was quite low, primarily because of the lack of community organizations and interagency cooperation in the region.

Now that the LAG has applied the LEADER approach to project funding, mobilized local communities to participate in the municipality's development

Image source: EU for Georgia, www.eu4georgia.ge

new opportunities were opened in the region. The Keda LAG has funded more than 90 local initiatives that have contributed to the development of various sectors. According to Giorgi Abuladze, Chair of the Keda LAG, one of the key projects includes the production of concrete poles and arrangement of vineyards, initiated by Avtandil Tsintsadze.

Vineyards are cultivated on 180 hectares in the Keda municipality. The demand for wines from Upper Adjara is increasing at the market. Farmers cultivating vineyards use a lot of wood for arranging vineyard poles. Avtandil Tsintsadze replaced the practice of using wood poles with concrete ones that are more durable and reduce the need for tree-cutting. The project helped start production of both vineyard and fence poles and offer vineyard cultivation/ renovation services.

Representatives from all the three sectors in the Keda LAG continue to identify local needs and to address them, believing that municipality development is based on eager and active local communities.

DEDOPLISTSKARO LAG In the three years of its functioning, the Dedoplistskaro LAG has funded 111 initiatives and created hundreds of jobs.

The implemented projects offer jobs to local construction companies, suppliers, and drivers, and up to 500 applicants have been trained in project-writing and business plan-drafting.

According to Dedoplistskaro LAG Chair Ana Benashvili, members of the LAG Board have also gained a lot of experience during this period: “We have received serious and diverse training, and visited our partners in Romania and Spain to get acquainted with the work of European LAGs.” The Dedoplistskaro LAG has repre-

offers its cheese in the Fresco supermarket chain…

Gradually, step by step, products of LAG's beneficiaries started appearing at the local market, including dried fruit from "Charozi", nuts, dairy, and decorative flowers to silver jewelry, and bed linen. We hope in future these enterprises become stronger and develop in other directions as well,’ says Anna.

AKHALKALAKI LAG Like many other municipalities in Georgia, Akhalkalaki’s major problems are unemployment or lack of jobs, urbanization, and the outflow of young people. However, there are also challenges you would rarely encounter in other municipalities.

The majority of the population there are ethnic Armenians (93.8%), 5.7% are ethnic Georgians, and 0.5% belong to other ethnic groups: Russians, Greeks, etc. These groups struggle with the Georgian language, which plays a role in the difficulty of their social integration and education. Therefore, Georgian classes are necessary to promote the social integration of the ethnic minorities, and the Akhalkalaki LAG is actively involved in the language initiative. For over a year the LAG's Resource Center has been offering free Georgian and English language classes as well as training in record-keeping and financial accounting, painting, and others.

To date, the Akhalkalaki LAG has supported over 40 local initiatives. In the wake of the pandemic, the LAG Resource Center launched online training courses of the Georgian language for the local ethnic Armenians, starting on Georgian Language Day, April 14.

“If you do not speak your state language, you find it difficult to adapt. The LAG helps young people address this

KHULO LAG Khulo LAG has significantly changed the situation in the municipality. There were no active civil society organizations. Now the LAG is planning activities for the overall development of the municipality.

According to Aslan Tunadze, “Mobilization campaigns have become much easier now - we have representatives from almost every community, which facilitates information-sharing.”

Small groups of stakeholders have been set up within the Khulo LAG, for example, a network of family hotel owners who work together and share experiences. A youth team is currently being set up at the LAG, which would imple-

sentatives from almost all villages, and the three-year activities have revived the villagers who developed the ambition to write projects, get repeated funding, and enhance or start up a business: “LAG's Board Members consult potential applicants and help them write projects. We also collaborate with other LAGs, make study visits to each other, share experiences and success stories, and plan for future collaboration,” says Anna.

The LAG supports both private sector/ business development and the improvement of social services. It has assisted to expand local hotel networks, training and information centers, and sports and health facilities. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the LAG’s support for the community increased even more. The local population received funding to buy necessary equipment for construction and agricultural activities, re-equip their wine cellars, laboratories, small enterprises for alcohol and fruit processing, and different workshops.

“For example, Nasrashvili Cellar participates in international exhibitions and already has export offers. Ketevan Chalakheshashvili's cheese enterprise already

problem, thus facilitating their life and communication in the country,” says Teresa Chivchiani, a member of the Akhalkalaki LAG and Director of the Resource Center. *** With EU's support, Local Action Groups have already been established in 12 Georgian municipalities, including Lagodekhi, Borjomi, Kazbegi, Tetritskaro, Akhalkalaki, Dedoplistskaro, Keda, Khulo, Tsalka, Akhmeta, Tskaltubo, and Mestia.

To date, the EU-supported LAGs have funded over 500 rural development initiatives in the fields of agriculture, tourism, social and rural infrastructure development, and environment, providing new employment and income-generating opportunities to more than 1,000 rural households and improving the livelihoods of over 10,000 rural residents.

Yet, local development groups go far beyond numbers - they bring together the vision, energy, and commitment of rural people.

SOCIETY

GEORGIA TODAY OCTOBER 16 - 22, 2020

9

Be Their Voice - How World Animal Day was Celebrated in Georgia ficially bred and then slaughtered. No matter how 'humanely’ we kill the animals, it can never be justified. They spend virtually their entire lives, if we may call such existence a life, in captivity, and then are killed to be eaten by us. Although this action is allowed by law, we are obviously against it,” he added.

ANIMALS HAVE THE RIGHT TO EXIST BESIDE US

BY GIORGI MUZASHVILI FOR ON.GE*, TRANSLATED

BY ANA DUMBADZE

O

n October 4, on World Animal Day, dozens of people gathered near Tbilisi Concert Hall to advocate the ethical treatment of animals. "Stand up for animal rights!" was the slogan of the rally.

Why is the celebration of this day important? What is the animal rights situation in Georgia? And what should be done to achieve species equality?

These were the talking points of the participants.

The event was organized by the Georgian Society for the Protection and Safety of Animals (GSPSA), together with animal rights activists, and was supported by the world's largest animal rights organization, PETA. Animal rights is the idea that all animals are entitled to the right to exist, and that their natural need to avoid suffering and death should be granted the same consideration as the analogous interests of human beings.

The idea of World Animal Day was originated by German writer and publisher Heinrich Zimmermann, who organized the first such day on March 24, 1925, in Berlin, and fought for there to be subsequent such days.

Since 1929, animal rights activists have been celebrating World Animal Day on October 4. Initially, October 4 was only celebrated in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Czechoslovakia. Finally, in May 1931, at the International Animal Protection Congress in Florence, Italy, the proposal to make October 4 the official World Animal Day was unanimously accepted and adopted as a resolution.

The date is symbolic as it is the day of remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and ecology. A Catholic saint and founder of the Franciscan Order, St. Francis was said to have been able to speak to animals, and died on this day.

This year, on October 4, despite the pandemic, Georgian animal lovers united around the idea of what is called “species equality.” The placards of the participants had a thematic inscription - "Be their voice! Speak up for those who can't”.

Teimuraz Tsikoridze, the co-organizer of the rally, GSPSA chairman and October 4 Ambassador to Georgia, said: “World Animal Day is a paramount event in terms of animal rights, and is celebrated in many countries, including those where the government pursues the right vision, and where peoples’ self-awareness is high.”

TIME TO TACKLE SPECIESISM Animal Rights Defender and activist Lika Batsikadze also spoke of the importance of World Animal Day. For her, the main motivation for participating in the rally was to increase public awareness and to call for effective steps to be taken by the relevant structures.

“Issues related to animal welfare are much more complex than is often assumed. They are closely linked to global challenges, such as the hunger crisis, clean water shortages, violent tendencies in society, zoonotic diseases and even environmental problems,” Batsikadze said. “The mission of the rally is to deliver vital messages to the public through targeted activities, which will help develop an ethical attitude towards other living beings and a better understanding of personal responsibility.

“Unfortunately, around the globe, many animals are being abused and exploited on a daily basis, including in the food, clothing, and cosmetics industries. Also particularly noteworthy is the unjust practice that underlies the use of animals for entertainment purposes. A clear example of this is the zoo, the dolphinarium, the circus performances, and the animal fights,” she added.

Batsikadze has been a vegan for years, opposes all forms of animal exploitation with her way of living, and has led numerous campaigns to protect animal rights in the past. Among them was last year’s campaign #CircusWithoutAnimals, which she said raised public awareness and sparked discussion about the abuse of animals for the sake of entertainment.

“But there is still more to be done. First of all, it is necessary to improve the existing legislation regarding animal welfare, pursuant to international standards,” Batsikadze noted, adding that World Animal day hugely facilitates the mobilization of the relevant agencies, and civil society, to pursue righteous action for a better future for animals.

“If we look at the history of human rights, the pursuit of public good, which is, in part, the result of a struggle against racism, xenophobia, sexism or religious intolerance, has come at the expense of relentless resistance and heightening of public awareness,” she said.

LICENSED KILLERS Tsikoridze also touched on the problem of legislation, pointing to the lack of awareness in society regarding animal rights. In addition to increasing incidences of cruelty to animals, he said, people do not sufficiently consider how bad the ordeal is for many animals.

“We have filed and published several petitions, none of which have been responded to by the authorities. The law enforcement agencies often do not respond to incidents of animal cruelty,

although such have become increasingly common,” Tsikoridze told us.

He also addressed the question of hunting.

“There are more than 100,000 official hunters in Georgia, and up to 300,000 poachers. Although some try to differentiate between the two, these two concepts for me are one and the same,” he said.

“In the 21st century, hunting is more akin to a blood sport. In the past, the activity was justified by a person’s need to support himself and his family. Back then, many likely had no other option. I think the current need to kill animals and birds mercilessly stems from acute psychological problems and is something of a sick tendency. People enjoy killing the living, and are only punished if the slaughtered animal is on the Red List.

Animals, regardless of species, enjoy and deserve life, just as we do.”

“Around the world, especially in Europe, the number of vegans is increasing. I believe that for the world to be considered civilized, it is imperative that the number of vegans should greatly exceed the number of people who eat animal products. The consumption of animal products is directly related to murder and cruelty. When a person eats meat, obviously, he is participating in a cruel chain called the exploitation of living beings,” Tsikoridze stated.

“On many farms, the animals are arti-

English writer and journalist Katie Ruth Davies attended the rally with her three children. She has lived and worked in Georgia for more than a decade, and a few years ago, the writer, who loves Georgian traditions and feasting, chose to go vegan. She left her children free to choose to do the same or not, and all three opted for vegetarianism, including the youngest, 6-year-old Toran, who, along with his sisters, also protests the cruelties committed against animals at every rally.

“Me and my kids have always loved animals, and we have quite a few at home- chickens, ducks and turkeys rescued from factories or markets, street cats we feed, hedgehogs and tortoises which appear and disappear in our garden every year,” Davies tells us. “Too many people see animals as possessions, as something they own (and so have a right to control), or as something they can use for food, clothing, testing pharmaceuticals and cosmetics on, or to hunt.

I believe animals, as sentient beings, have the right to exist alongside us, not “under” us. In developed countries, and this includes Georgia, we don’t need to eat meat. We don’t need fur for clothing.

Hunting is a cruel sport and not a necessity. In the 21st century, we have learned to create synthetic products to use for clothing instead of leather and fur, and learned (or re-learned) to use natural, plant-based ingredients for food, medicines and cosmetics. We should understand that animals feel love, pain and fear just as we do, and just because they don’t speak the same language as us to be able to tell us, we should be smart enough to recognize it and respect them as fellow beings. That’s why my family joined the animal rights activists on October 4 to ‘Speak for the Voiceless’ and stand up for animal rights.”

GEORGIA’S ANIMAL RIGHTS THROUGH THE EYES OF A FOREIGNER “I’m forever an optimist and I always say Georgia takes 'two steps forward, one step back'- but it IS moving forward,

however slowly," Davies says. "Of course, this year especially, people have been hard hit by the impacts of corona, either directly through illness or losing loved ones, or in work and income losses, my family among them,” Davies says. “This means that messages in support of animals often meet a certain level of animosity, with comments like ‘with people starving, what time is this to care for animals?’ I believe it’s a time to care for every living being around us. To care for our environment. To make this world a better, healthier, brighter place. I’m vegan and my kids are vegetarian, and giving up meat has saved us money and made us lighter and healthier: we're packing a lot more vegetables, fruit and legumes into our diets these days, and the knowledge that we’re not causing harm to animals by supporting the meat industry, and that we’re having even a tiny impact on the environment by reducing the amount of deforestation that’s going to be needed, is a huge boost to our morale and positivity.

“Back to Georgia, I think it has a long way to go to recognizing equal rights for all animals. The focus tends to be put on domestic animals, which is limited mostly to cats and dogs, while all animals, including pigs, bears, chickens, rabbits, and birds, deserve to live long, healthy lives which are as free and natural as possible.

As Davies points out, education is key to improving the status of animal rights, and all animal rights activists agree on this. Tsikoridze says that “no law can save us if we do not raise awareness.”

Batsikadze also emphasizes the importance of raising awareness, saying that while activism may be linked to disappointment, the fight always makes sense, and “it should be understood by all human rights activists, because ideological change requires the most effort.”

It is clear that it really makes sense to fight to protect the vulnerable. In recent years, many countries around the world have taken effective steps to improve the lives of animals. France has recently joined the dozens of countries where participation in animal circus performances is banned. States are actively seeking to regulate their legislation in this regard and to promote species equality. We can only hope that Georgia will appear among them soon. *The Georgian version of this article was originally published on On.ge (http://go. on.ge/1u4k)

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SOCIETY

GEORGIA TODAY

OCTOBER 16 - 22, 2020

Ingenuity: Everywhere BLOG BY TONY HANMER

I

recently visited my neighbor, the one who was the mayor of the village and showed us our future house when we were looking and ended up becoming my best friend here. He is building an addition onto the side of the family house and had earlier come by to see if I had a certain special drill bit.

There is so much foundational stuff to building which makes sense but might not be obvious until you see it being done. Like, the actual making of foundations. You want to dig into the ground, and have inner and outer wall forms to take your deepest pour of concrete. These will be made of wooden planks, but what will hold them together with all that weight of concrete inside, trying to force them apart, off true?

For this you need rebar lengths running between and through the inner and outer planks, clamped into position from outside. The clamps you remove when it’s all dry, along with the plank molds, and you can cut off the protruding rebar flush with the walls, but the rebar inside remains so, and adds permanent strength to the concrete. It was the pairs of holes through the plank sets that my friend wanted to drill, needing a long bit of the right size which I didn’t have: it’s a rather specific thing.

He had several choices at this point: drive 28 km to the single good hardware shop in Mestia (or phone them) to see if they have his drill bit; phone or drive around Zugdidi, 110 km away; or just actually make the thing. The planks are soft wood, likely pine, not high quality stuff. You don’t need a hardened steel bit to drill through them, it just needs to be of a sufficient length at the right diameter.

So… take a piece of the same rebar, more iron than steel. Hammer one end of it to flatten and widen it slightly. Use your grinding wheels to match the shape of a smaller drill bit, and you’re done.

Total time, about 10 minutes. I love seeing things like this done, because they’re more than adequate for the task, cheap, and clever. If you have the right tools, including the brain and maker’s gifts, you can make more tools in many situations. I lack some of these things, so it awes me to see someone else having and using them. A great sense of satisfaction ensues, that this problem has been solved locally with materials at hand.

My friend has made a slide for his children to use, of wood and sheet metal, much better suited to a half year winter climate which would likely crack the plastic version. He has a wonderful multiuse Svan walking stick with a steel spike at one end and a hook near the end of the other. Skis he made of wood. (Different woods for different jobs, depending on the hardness, flexibility and dura-

UNICEF Organizes First Int'l Conference on Child Rights in Partnership with ATSU

R

ecently, an international conference dedicated to the incorporation of child rights into university education programs and curricula was held in Kutaisi. The conference was organized by UNICEF, in partnership with Akaki Tsereteli State University, and under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sport of Georgia.

The two-day conference brought together professors and students, government officials, international child rights experts, diplomats, as well as international and civil society organizations in Georgia to discuss child rights.

At the opening of the conference, the participants were welcomed by the Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sport, Dr. Mikheil Chkhenkeli; UN Resident Coordinator Dr. Sabine Machl; UNICEF Representative, Dr. Ghassan Khalil, and Akaki Tsereteli State University Rector, Dr. Roland Kopaliani.

The Kutaisi International Conference provided a space to share experiences in teaching and learning about child rights, aimed to empower future specialists to act towards putting child rights into practice in their daily lives at home, at school, and in their communities. The conference provided a structured exchange among international and national experts on theory, research, policy, and practices relating to child rights.

"The importance of cooperation between UNICEF and the Akaki Tsereteli State University is quite significant, as for the first time in University history, the Child Rights Center will be established, which further highlights the role of universities in the extremely valuable work of protecting child rights," said Dr. Kopaliani.

As part of the conference, UNICEF supported the establishment of the Child Rights Center at the university which will serve as a resource hub and raise awareness on child rights among different specialists, civil society organizations, academia, parents, and children.

“I am delighted that the Akaki Tsereteli State University in Kutaisi is one of the first universities in Georgia to incorpo-

rate child rights into their programs and curricula”, said UNICEF's Dr. Khalil.

“Education on child rights is about taking action. By learning about child rights, and the child rights approach, children and adults are empowered to bring about change in their immediate environment and the country at large. I believe the International Conference on Child Rights in Kutaisi, and the establishment of the Child Rights Center at the University, will contribute to strengthening the culture of child rights in Georgia. UNICEF will continue partnering with Akaki Tsereteli University and other universities to promote child rights education in Georgia,” Khalil added.

As part of the International Conference, a film screening was also organized for local justice professionals and university professors in partnership with the Embassy of France in Georgia. Ambassador of France, H.E. Diégo Colas, participated in discussions on the experience of France in the creation of a child-friendly justice system.

The conference provided the possibility for rich discussions and presentations by well-known national and international specialists and experts, as well as the student winners of an essay writing contest. The role of universities in promoting child rights and influencing social norms was central to the discussions.

The conference also enabled different universities in Georgia to share their initiatives aimed at incorporating child rights into university programs for the education of future child rights advocates in the fields of education, law, business, and other important disciplines.

Incorporation of child rights into higher education programs will raise awareness of child rights among students. It will stimulate interest, increase motivation, and provide inspiration for all future professionals to work for and with children when choosing their careers as social workers, lawyers, judges, teachers, or other related professions. This will lay the foundation for the specialization of all professionals working with and for children, required by the Code on the Rights of the Child of Georgia, which entered into force on 1 September 2020.

bility you need.) A plank toboggan too, with steel pipe runners for speed. And… about 80 beehives, which demand halfmm precision in all 3 dimensions; poorly made ones will not allow the precious bees to survive the winter.

He just makes these things as he needs them, using skills which my father also had in abundance but which I lack, combinations of hand, eye and motor patience.

I do have other gifts, but perhaps less practical ones than are called for in Georgian villages on a daily basis. I would rather pay a local plumber or electrician to do what needs doing in my home than even attempt it myself, especially the electrician, because his work to me involves life-threatening forces. The plumbing I might grumblingly attempt.

There are things I’m learning. But my father…built a canoe in the basement one Canadian winter, and it has given my whole family there decades of fun and fishing. I could never aspire to this, nor do I really want to, if I’m honest. But to see it being done—RESPECT. 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

Georgia - Le Peau de Chagrin OP-ED BY NUGZAR B. RUHADZE

H

ow come the United States of America and the Disunited State of Georgia became friends, and not just friends?! The entire world knows that they are firmly established strategic partners, cooperating with each other on every possible level: economic, political cultural and military.

In the very recent past, they were bitter adversaries, Georgia having been part of the Soviet Union, America’s sworn enemy, although in its heart of hearts Georgia might have been in love with America, which is no big surprise because America has always been pictured in the typical socialist Georgian mind as a free and blissful place, picturesquely reflected in the world-renowned Hollywood productions, intermittently accessible by our population of that time. Moreover, like the rest of the world, Georgia was infatuated with jazz and blues, and most

of its populace was clad in jeans and T-shirts, which used to be a direct influence of the popular American mass culture.

Worldly matters are strange full of funny surprises, and packed with the most unexpected vicissitudes of life.

Who could’ve thought a little over thirty years ago, even in the wildest of imaginations, that America would someday consider a strategic partnership with Georgia? But things happen, don’t they?

Continuing the theme, the direst result of this partnership was and is the unrestrained ferocity of Russia, who has vehemently reacted to Georgia’s unprecedented change of geopolitical vector.

Just imagine what would happen if one tough man snatched away the lovely fiancée of another brawny lad. There would definitely follow a scuffle. Fictionally speaking, this is one of the causes of the occasional Russian-American brawl.

It might be fun to make a couple of comparisons between the two, the minuscule Sakartvelo and the gigantic Amer-

ica, tongue-in-cheek, of course: about two and a half centuries ago, America came around as a much smaller nation than it is today: just 13 states on the Atlantic coast of the continent in a long narrow line from north to south. Conversely, in early medieval times, Georgia was a much bigger territory than it is today: between the Caspian to Black seas, and from the Caucasus Mountains down to the boundaries of the former Ottoman Empire, and beyond. The United States grew in size until it became what we have today: from ocean to ocean and from Canada to Mexico, while since its medieval territorial greatness and imperial glory, Georgia has been shrinking like ‘le peau de chagrin’, (a famous French belletristic opus, translated into English as ‘the wild ass’s skin’). The USA grew into one of the strongest determiners of the world’s fates, whereas Georgia became one of those whose will should inevitably be adapted and subordinated to the whims and quirks of global decisionmakers.

What makes those funny comparisons even cuter is the rhetorical presumption that Georgia’s strategic partnership with the western colossus can reverse the notorious chagrin skin shriveling process. Asking ‘What if not?’ might upset the good things around, so let’s drop the unsavory question! But the ass’s skin continues shrinking with some diabolic geopolitical rash and brash, and there is nobody to curb the damned onslaught on Georgia’s territorial, moral and political integrity. The sense of feebleness and inability to reverse the unacceptable should be among the worst feelings anybody whose patriotic pride is still alive could feel. The remaining piece of the chagrin skin might completely disappear someday, and that’s dreadful!

This kind of a historical drama has definitely happened to nations and languages in the past, and the world has continued living in their absence. Some of us appear and others disappear, which is not a big deal on a cosmic level, but how fair would it be for the rest of the world today to witness a nature’s darling like Georgia vanish from the surface of the earth?! This may surely happen, and with this sad prospect in mind, a conclusion is asking to be made that those chagrin problems and strategic partnerships must be in a certain logical interaction.

If one wants to admit that, of course!

CULTURE

GEORGIA TODAY OCTOBER 16 - 22, 2020

11

Fridon Nizharadze - Painter of the Traumas of Svaneti & the World

View on the villages Chvibiani and Zhibiani of the Ushguli-community

BY STEFAN APPLIS

T

he tower buildings of the village community of Ushguli in Svaneti are probably the most frequently photographed motif in Georgia.

Ushguli is the longed-for destination of many visitors to Georgia. They want to see the place with their own eyes about which it is often written that it has been preserved on the edge of time. In Georgia, too, it can be heard time and again that life in Ushguli, especially in winter, is like in a fairy tale. The village community is considered to be one of the highest, permanently populated places in Europe (2200m). In the language of the Svans, 'Ushguli' means brave or fighting heart: this tells us a lot about the villagers of Ushguli who live in the mountains all year round.

At the very top of Ushguli resides one of the living icons of Ushguli: Fridon Nizharadze, a painter of elusive style, who only last year had the first exhibition of his life and whose paintings immediately gained admission to the Georgian National Museum.

Nizharadze is one of those extraordinary people who represent the many fractures of 20th century Europe in a particular way. Growing up in Ushguli, once one of the most inaccessible places in the Southern Caucasus, he experienced on the one hand a world shaped by deep traditional orientations and on the other, he experienced what it meant to be

catapulted into modernity as an entire community by the Soviet colonization.

This sudden emergence of modernity in Svaneti enabled him to study painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Tbilisi.

He brought a Svaneti XY with him which was characterized by traditional values and a great attachment to nature. He carried this Svaneti with him in his whole body, in his entire being. In Tbilisi, he met the expectations of socialist realism, which he contrasted with his Svan love of nature and its mythical roots. The artist then began to detach himself from the promises of Soviet modernity when he first began to understand and then denounce Stalin's crimes.

The violence which then happened to him shaped his whole life. His pictorial work has an enormous contemporary significance: equally against the background of a rapidly advancing tourist transformation of the mountainous Georgian region, as well as against the current attempts of the Russian president to reinterpret Stalinism.

His house is the last one on the hillside.

Above it, there is only the chapel with the icon of St. George, a little further on, the monastery Lamaria can be found.

Getting to Fridon is easy because everyone knows him in Ushguli. Talking about him doesn't seem to be easy for everyone, though. Young people, who only spend the summer in the village community because of the tourists, only have a few catchwords about the strange painter to hand. Older people express themselves rather reservedly, hesitantly, almost cryptically. And when they have

Fridon and Temraz Nizharadze

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said something, you might almost have the impression that they want to take back their words immediately.

They say there is not a single book he hasn't read. They say he is the smartest person in Ushguli. So very wise! And they raise their hands and wave far into the distance to show that they are not in a position to judge. “You have nothing but potatoes in your head!” This is how he speaks to the people of Ushguli, they say. And they whisper that he cannot know what proper/real work is after all.

Because what he does is not work: a momentary fright. You say nothing unpleasant about others/fellow Ushguli people in Ushguli. Who can know where this might lead? People are just different.

The younger brother acts as Fridon's wall against the outer world, as a translator between the world of the older brother and that of the others. Temraz is the down-to-earth person, the agronomist, the last steward of the potatoes, cows and pigs in Ushguli and as well of the reluctance of its inhabitants. Fridon is the one who, as a child drew with everything he could grab: with stones on wood, with charred pieces of branches on snow, often wild and angry and unworldly.

“Come back tomorrow,” Temraz said, when I first met him. “Fridon just got back from the hospital yesterday. He needs some rest.” I left and came back the next morning, wondering if Fridon might like to show and explain his pictures? “Of course, three Lari!” he said, facing me with severe eyes. “Come in.”

His pictures are dualistic and antirealistic, he explains. He learned nothing in Tbilisi, where they tried to force him into socialist realism. Van Gogh had schizophrenia, he exclaims. He also had schizophrenia. He was diagnosed in 1973 when they held him in a psychiatric hospital.

Many liters of blood were taken from him that month, again and again, he says.

His temperature was so high that they had to get him out of bed at night to give him cold radiation. Thirty-eight times this happened, at all times of the day, the nurses were suddenly there and put him in a tiled room until he collapsed.

“When he was locked up, we visited him in Tbilisi,” the brother explained.

“We didn’t understand him either. Fridon, we said, nobody understands your pictures! Can't you paint things as they are? We asked him sincerely because we were worried. But, you know, he's stubborn.”

He is challenging to grasp, even less to understand. He speaks at high speed, leaves no time to react on the words he throws at the listener: he asks, explains, throws out sentence after sentence, full of references to politics, literature, myth: Do you know Shevardnadze? Do you know what Dostoyevsky wrote? Have you read about Medea? He grabs the carving stick representing Chaplin, pushed the bat called Einstein aside and points to the pictures, never touching one with its tip, explaining every element. From a great height, he takes everything down on shaky stairs, balancing it. It is not necessary to help him.

He jumps from one picture to the next and back, confronts the listener, looks, changes, asks questions over and over again and testifies.

Journalists: Ana Dumbadze, Vazha Tavberidze, Nini Dakhundaridze, Tony Hanmer, Emil Avdaliani, Nugzar B. Ruhadze, Beka Alexishvili, Elene Dzebizashvili Photographer: Aleksei Serov

The images are destructive. The world is out of joint, without any sense in itself: a crazy world bent on destruction. Fridon then gives the madness an interpretation of clear symbols and contexts. He is Laocoon in the psychiatric ward, embraced by the python of state power.

He is caught in handcuffs when the Soviet Empire destroys young Georgia: the Bolsheviks have uprooted the tree from which the fresh leaf has grown.

He tries to capture a crazy world with his pictures. Mad from the madness of great destruction: Stalin and Hitler, again and again, Communism and National Socialism as equal variants of the same inhumanities.

The dualistic pictures have high prices because they are two pictures in one, he explains, costing once 37 billion Swiss francs, once 27 million. The destruction of the world by Stalin and Hitler costs 50 million dollars because 50 million people died.

“We used to sell paintings to tourists at $10 apiece. We don't do that anymore.

We keep all his paintings with us,” Temraz says.

The path of Homo Sapiens is a path of bones. It ends in a rocket that unleashes a mushroom cloud that will destroy the world. At its end is the cross. The Georgian archangel wears a Svan cap and looks stunned at the world in which Hitler and Stalin rage.

And yet: Georgia will survive because its inhabitants are capable of living in harmony with nature, supported by traditions that survive everything.

What brought him to the psychiatric ward? Otherness, or criticism of the system?

The next morning, I met the younger brother again. He talked about the hardships of life in the Soviet era. He told me about how they put Fridon in a psychiatric ward after his studies in Tbilisi for his criticism of communism. Others were put in prison as well. Some were murdered. Others went mad over it all.

“We were all ardent Communists back then, you know, including him. At the Academy, he was supposed to paint like the others. He refused. Then he started criticizing Stalin and Lenin.”

Taking blood to weaken, blasting with cold water to break the resistance. Both to affirm a system above everything else.

Portrait of the brothers

The Svans in their attempt to save their remote world despite the rage of the influential and misanthropic political powers that govern the course of the world.

What kind of person is this one you find here, high above Ushguli, in the last house on the slope? A painter, until last year without a single exhibition in his life, surrounded by constant outer silence, in persistent inner turmoil. What a strangeness compared to the others, who are also quite alien to each other. How happy must a person be to be allowed to enjoy freedom in seclusion in the end?

“Life is hard up here. In winter, we barely get out of the house for half a year.

At the onset of winter, everything you need, you bring indoors. Then the snow comes, and you stay among yourselves.

You visit each other at parties, talk, eat and drink. For a painter or philosopher, there can be no better life,” Temraz explained.

It is the experiences of insecurity, wars of secession, civil wars, banditry, the threat of the outer life, before which everything that follows must appear suitable. The life experience of the people of Ushguli provides an in-depth insight into the social system of life in Svaneti. And it opens up the possibility of discovering the traces that the Soviet system left behind in both material and immaterial space in the region.

(Left): The path of Homo Sapiens is a path of bones. (Right): Hitler and Stalin - the greatest catastrophe of Mankind

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