WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020 The Messenger P3

“Impartial, Informative, Insightful” GEL 3.00 The #236 (4793) Messenger WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020 WWW.MESSENGER.COM.GE Politics City Hall puts the residents of The UNM head Vashadze Africa district on the verge of homelessness, leaves the party dismantles illegally built houses

FULL STORY ON Page 2 Economics Team Europe: EIB and Bank of expand credit line for SMEs and mid-caps with ˆ25 million to aid recovery from COVID-19 pandemic

FULL STORY ON Page 3

BY NATALIA KOCHIASHVILI

bilisi Municipal Inspection has Tstarted dismantling 12 illegally con- Several days ago, the Human Rights Education and Monitoring Centre called on Tbilisi City Hall not to start structed residential buildings in the Af- the deconstruction of the illegally constructed buildings as the locals living there will be left without shelter. rica settlement in Tbilisi, which has led to a confrontation between the local popu- lation and law enforcers. before the end of the review. Residents of Africa have been protest- an action is carried out anywhere, it As a general inspection claims, the The situation on the ground became ing against the dismantling of the build- should be prevented,” Kaladze said at a reason for the dismantling is building on tense several times. Residents of nearby ings. According to them, most of the briefing yesterday. the state-owned territory without the per- buildings confronted the law enforcers. buildings’ residents are socially vulner- Hereby, Kaladze emphasized the deci- mission of construction. The people whose Police arrested 8 people during the con- able and their houses have been built sion that 350 million will be the 2021 building is being dismantled say they frontation. According to the Ministry of without permission, and in some cases, budget precisely in the direction of social have applied to the City Hall for legaliza- Internal Affairs, they were arrested on the City Hall has decided to legalize it. and healthcare. tion, but the inspection started the dis- charges of petty hooliganism and disobey- Regarding the Africa settlement, It was also noted that in recent years, mantling process without any warning ing a lawful request of the police. Mayor Kahkha Kaladze announced that citizens who have real estate in the re- no one lives in the houses that were dis- gions, as well as some others in the name mantled: of others, have started illegal construc- “These are the people who have houses, tion on state lands in Tbilisi. these are the people who have lands, and “We have a reasonable suspicion that so on. This is a deliberate seizure of land. we are dealing with a fraudulent scheme I do not rule out that there may be some backed by certain individuals who are forces behind this that are benefiting from pushing citizens to break the law in or- such decisions.” der to obtain economic benefits,” the Kaladze assures that as long as he is mayor said. in charge, he will in no way allow the According to Kaladze, Tbilisi City Hall misappropriation of state property. “And will provide all the materials to the rel- for those who do not have a home, there evant agency to start the investigation of is a shelter, half of which is empty.” the case. “We provide everything. The second Public Defender of Georgia Nino option is that people who have a certain Lomjaria responded to the dismantling problem, are having their house demol- of a residential building in the African ished or so on, the boards will allocate settlement of Samgori district. money for them, we can rent these fami- As Lomjaria noted in her Facebook lies houses so that they do not stay on post, the demolition of the house is re- the street,” he said. lated to the risks of homelessness, which The mayor emphasized that although raises the need for the state to assess the the municipal inspectorate had warned method. If necessary, they should take the offenders several times, both verbally supportive measures and provide appro- and in writing, unfortunately, there was priate shelter. She spoke of the challenges no response to the warning. that shelters are facing and emphasized “We declare with full responsibility that not a single building that was “The principled position of the state is that the implementation of dismantling subject to dismantling was completed and no one lived in it,” said that land grabbing and illegal construc- Mayor Kaladze. tions should not be allowed and if such CONTINUED ON Page 2 P2 Politics The Messenger WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020 the sign for UNM’s dissolution: the elections, when he called for The UNM head Vashadze “When the chairman of the moving street protests to the party leaves the party for spe- negotiations table, implying a cific, declared or hidden reasons, possible end of boycott that was leaves the party it is one of the preconditions for announced by all major opposi- the party’s dissolution.” tion parties following legitimacy The leader of the Georgian concerns of the parliamentary Dream Tea Tsulukiani described polls. Other members of the Grigol Vashadze as a positive fig- UNM said that “the statement ure after leaving the National is Vashadze’s personal opinion Movement and said that he was which was not agreed upon with” acting in the interests of the them. While the members of country. According to other opposition parties who took Tsulukiani, she met Vashadze to the street following the Octo- for the first time during the sign- ber 31 parliamentary elections, ing of the March 8 agreement said that Vashadze’s statement with the opposition. According to was ‘unexpected and confusing.’ the leader of the European Geor- Grigol Vashadze, a former gia, Giga Bokeria, it is notewor- Soviet diplomat, served as a For- thy that Tsulikiani praised eign Minister under the UNM Grigol Vashadze. “It seems that government. He was the 2018 a good opposition for her is an Presidential candidate and was opposition member who leaves elected as the party chairman in politics.” March of 2019, replacing The US Ambassador to Geor- Saakashvili. In the October 31 “I disagree with the recent tactics or the UNM leaders that have been chosen without gia Kelly Degnan commented on parliamentary elections, consultations with party members, as well as the absence of a party strategy. There Vashadze’s resignation as well, Vashadze ran as a majoritarian are odious figures in and around the party who are the part of the past and will never saying he is an outstanding per- MP candidate for the Kutaisi be able to regain the public truth.” son with a long and impressive constituency. The UNM gar- career in the service of his coun- nered 27,18% of votes and 36 MP BY NATALIA KOCHIASHVILI Vashadze apologized to Georgia’s sion proved that “there are dif- try. mandates which the party in- partners. fering opinions in the opposi- The UNM Chairman first tends to reject. rigol Vashadze, Chairman Before this announcement, tion,” including varying views confronted his party soon after Gof the United National Nika Gvaramia, the director of over the current opposition tac- Movement, Georgia’s largest op- Mtavari Arkhi TV criticized tics. position party, announced on De- western diplomats, including MP Irakli Kobakhidze, execu- cember 15 about leaving the facilitators of the recent post- tive secretary of the ruling Geor- party as well as stepping down election talks between the oppo- gian Dream party also com- from all held positions. sition, that boycott election, and mented on the announcement, He wrote in his Facebook post the ruling Georgian Dream saying that political processes that there are aspects to the party. unfold ‘in the right direction.’ He party that he would categorically On December 15, the night noted that the “so-called odious not tolerate. Vashadze said he before Vashadze’s decision was figures” are dissolving [United] does not agree with tactics cho- known, the UNM leader and National Movement and Euro- sen by the majority of the UNM former Georgian President pean Georgia. leadership without consulting criticized Parliament Speaker from the party members, and that the German Ambassador Hubert ruling Georgian Dream party absence of a future strategy is Knirsch over his opposition-criti- Archil Talakvadze stated that even more unacceptable to him. cal remarks, questioning his the ‘reasons named by Vashadze Vashadze expressed concerns qualification. behind his resignation are a over ‘the campaign of attacks Politicians from both the rul- deadly diagnosis for the UNM.’ and insults’ against the chiefs of ing party and the opposition re- MP Mamuka Mdinaradze as- UNM criticizes Vashadze: “We can not share the pathos diplomatic missions of strategic acted to Vashadze’s decision. sessed Vashadze’s decision as to and content.” partner countries that were UNM members Roman launched ‘unclear by whom and Gotziridze and Salome why’. Vashadze considers such Samadashvili have praised moves as damaging to Georgia’s Vashadze’s chairmanship of the Tbilisi City Hall puts the residents relations with the western part- party, stating that he has made ners. According to him, it cre- the party stronger in the past 3 ates impressions that creators of years. On the other hand, UNM of Africa district on the verge of this campaign have never heard member Khatia Dekanoidze said that attacking an ambassador that Vashadze’s claim on attacks homelessness, dismantles illegally equals attacking a state they on the diplomatic corps was represent. “This is the state wrong, as well as his decision to which has been guarding Geor- leave the party without consult- built houses gia state and its territorial in- ing with its members first. She criticized the chairman for quit- tegrity since the day it regained CONTINUED FROM Page 1 ment, which will provide com- right to dismantle the unautho- independence.” Hereby, ting with a sole statement and prehensive information on what rized constructions, but it is in- disagreed with Vashadze’s con- measures during the winter pe- measures have been taken and admissible for these processes to cerns. “Generals do not disap- riod poses risks of inhuman and will be taken to protect the home- be carried out at the expense of Weather prove of the army’s strategy,” degrading treatment. “The dan- less families whose homes have human rights violations. The she emphasized. gers posed by the pandemic are been dismantled.” Office of the Public Defender will Levan Ioseliani, from the Citi- As for the legality of the dis- study the issue of the legitimacy Wednesday, December 16 an additional issue. Based on the zens party, noted that the deci- above, I call on the Tbilisi City mantling itself, Lomjaria wrote of the process. Hall to make an official state- that the government has the Day Partly Cloudy High: 12°C published by Night Mostly Cloudy Nino Metreveli The Messenger welcomes your therefore, the opinions Commercial Director contributions. If you are expressed in some articles do Low: 6°C The Messenger 43, Chovelidze st., Tbilisi, interested in submitting an not necessarily coincide with article or news item please those of the newspaper. We Thursday, December 17 0108, Georgia Founded by Prof. Mariam Mchedlidze contact. take no responsibility for any Zaza Gachechiladze Editor-in-Chief All contributions should be claims made in advertisments. Day Showers Tamar Gachechiladze submitted by e-mail. High: 10°C Publisher The Messenger Georgia’s The Messenger preserves the Night Partly Cloudy Mob.:+995 599 565621; +995 577 760000 Khatuna Gogichaishvili English language daily is an style of a source written in E-mail:[email protected] Layout Designer, Photographer independent newspaper, and, English where possible. Low: 4°C http://www.messenger.com.ge/ WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020 The Messenger Economics P3 Exchange Rates: US Dollar - 3.2905; Euro - 4.0006; GBP - 4.3846; 100 Russian Ruble - 4.4868; Swiss Franc - 3.7105 Team Europe: EIB and Bank Five opposition of Georgia expand credit line parties had their party for SMEs and mid-caps with lists annulled by the ˆ25 million to aid recovery Central Election from COVID-19 pandemic Commission today

lending activities BY VERONIKA MALINBOYM without jeopardising the long-term stability of the country’s fi- nancial sector or its ability to sup- port the economic recovery from the pandemic in the long term. The credit line is even more attrac- tive due to the · The EIB will top up need, no matter how difficult the more flexible terms enabled by ollowing the memorandum and official request of Georgia’s five its existing credit line at the situation is. The EIB financing the EIB’s COVID-19 emergency Fopposition parties, the Central Election Commission (CEC) has Bank of Georgia ˆ25 million will support both Georgian measures, extended as part of the annulled their respective party lists. This means that the candi- to a total of ˆ75 million to SMEs and the country’s finan- Team Europe’s efforts to support dates of European Georgia, United National Movement (UNM), Lelo support the recovery of cial sector so that they can con- partner countries such as Geor- for Georgia, Strategy Agmashenebeli, and the Labour party will Georgian SMEs from the tinue to operate despite the pan- gia during the pandemic. not be able to replace the MPs who refused to claim their mandates pandemic, extending cover- demic and drive the Georgian This is the third operation after the October 2020 Parliamentary Elections. Opposition par- ties refuse to recognize the election results on the grounds of al- age to include mid-caps. economy forward. This means between the EIB and the Bank leged falsification and demand for the elections to be repeated. · The operation is part we will save jobs, incomes and of Georgia supporting the The memorandum was not signed by Girchi and Alliance of Pa- of the Team Europe’s revenues. Together with our country’s SMEs and mid-caps. triots, which each won a total of 4 seats, as well as Aleko Eliashvili’s COVID-19 emergency re- partners in the country’s public To date, the EU bank has in- Citizens (two seats) and the Republican bloc of the UNM. More- sponse to help sustain jobs, and private sector, we look for- vested more than ˆ330 million in over, 8 out of 14 parties that won at least 1% of the votes during the maintain liquidity and op- ward to building a prosperous credit lines for Georgian SMEs October Elections, have already requested the annual state fund- erations, and fuel the eco- and sustainable future for Geor- and mid-caps, sustaining more ing. nomic recovery of Georgia. gia.” than 54 000 jobs in the country. The 10th Parliament Session was held on December 11, and no · Since 2007, the EU EU Ambassador to Geor- opposition parties attended. The International Society for Fair Elec- bank has invested close to gia Carl Hartzell said: The Background ˆ2 billion in all key sectors EU stands by Georgia during information of the Georgian economy, the pandemic. The EU has including connectivity, mobilised an unprecedented About the EIB: healthcare and SMEs. GEL 1.5 billion COVID-19 sup- The European Investment The European Investment port package for Georgia, of Bank (EIB) is the long-term Bank (EIB), the lending arm of which economic recovery of busi- lending institution of the Euro- the , will invest nesses is a fundamental part. pean Union owned by its Mem- ˆ25 million to expand a credit line This top-up by the EU bank ber States. It makes long-term for Georgian small and medium- strengthens this component by finance available for sound in- sized enterprises (SMEs) and providing more assistance via vestment in order to contribute mid-caps available at the Bank local Georgian banks. Thanks to towards EU policy goals. of Georgia, helping to accelerate this agreement, an additional the recovery of the national number of Georgian small and The EIB in Georgia: economy from the COVID-19 medium businesses will be able Since the beginning of opera- pandemic. The credit line can be to access finance to get them tions in Georgia in 2007, the EIB disbursed in multiple curren- through these challenging has invested close to ˆ2 billion in cies, including in lari, Georgia’s times. 23 projects in infrastructure, the national currency. Bank of Georgia CEO private sector and climate ac- tions and Democracy (ISFED) has adjusted its parallel vote tabula- The EIB loan will inject fresh Archil Gachechiladze com- tion. The EIB stepped up its sup- tion (PVT). According to the new figures, the United Opposition capital into the national mented: “I am very glad to see port for the country with the bloc received 1% more votes and the ruling Georgian Dream party economy at a time when the that our very successful partner- 2014 Association Agreement and received 1.8% more votes. The ruling party responded by pointing COVID-19 pandemic is burden- ship with the EIB is continuing. the Deep and Comprehensive out another severe mistake in the NGO’s data, namely the initially ing SMEs with liquidity issues The multi-currency long-term Free Trade Area between Geor- reported imbalance between the number of ballot papers and regis- and restricting their ability to facility gives us flexibility to gia and the European Union, tered voters. access finance and maintain utilise the funds according to the making it the main EIB lending The country remains in a de facto one-party state, and the politi- daily operations or fund expan- currency and maturity needs of beneficiary per capita in the EU cal crisis is yet to be resolved, despite the significant efforts of the diplomatic corps to hold negotiations between the ruling party and sion plans. our SME and mid-cap clients. Eastern Neighbourhood. the opposition bloc. On top of calling for the new elections, the The investment from the EU Such facilities are key for the The EIB finances most opposition demands large-scale electoral reform (including the bank will reinforce SMEs and private sector, especially during projects in Georgia under the EU country’s Central Election Commission), as well as the immediate mid-caps, which are the back- these challenging times, and this External Lending Mandate. This release of the political prisoners: Iveri Melashvili, Giorgi Rurua, bone of the Georgian economy further strengthens our position provides the EIB with a guaran- and Natalia Ilichova. and major employers in the as a leading provider of long- tee covered by the EU budget for In turn, the ruling Georgian Dream party stated that they will country, and the country’s finan- term financial resources on the projects in the fields of social and be willing to repeat the elections if the temporary investigative com- cial sector, boosting their abil- market. I would like to thank the economic infrastructure, local mittee, created by the 10th convocation of the Georgian Parliament ity to drive the economic recov- EIB for its cooperation with us private sector development and finds any evidence of the violation of the proper conduct of the Octo- ery from the pandemic. and look forward to many more climate action. For more infor- ber elections. Georgian Dream’s Executive Secretary, Irakli EIB Vice-President Teresa successful deals in the future.” mation on the EIB’s activities in Kobakhidze went as far as to claim that he is so confident that not Czerwiñska, who is in Team Europe adds value for Georgia please follow this link: even 0.1% of the ruling party’s votes were rigged, that, if the oppo- charge of operations in Georgian companies site turns out to be true, he will be willing to quit politics alto- Georgia, said: “As the bank of Covered by a guarantee from www.eib.org/en/publications/ gether. the European Union, we are the European Union, the loan the-european-investment-bank- The current political crisis is unfolding amidst the second wave proud to be bolstering Georgia from the EU bank will enable the in-georgia of the COVID-19 pandemic, which leaves the country especially and its economy in this hour of Bank of Georgia to increase its vulnerable to both external and internal threats.