DOCSLIB.ORG

Weekly News Digest on Georgia May 18-26, 2021

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Weekly News Digest on Georgia May 18-26, 2021 Compiled by: Aleksandre Weekly News Digest on Georgia Davitashvili May 18-26, 2021 Compiled on: May 27, 2021 Content Internal Affairs Internal Affairs Political Developments Political Developments 1. CSOs Say Planned Election of HCoJ Members Defies EU-brokered 1. CSOs Say Planned Deal Election of HCoJ Members Defies EU- Nine local CSOs, including the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association, brokered Deal International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy, and Transparency 2. Freedom House ‘Nations International Georgia, today warned against holding an extraordinary Conference in Transit’ Report on of Judges on May 26 to elect four judge-members of the High Council of Justice, Georgia a move they said goes against the “spirit” of April 19 EU-brokered deal. 3. EU, US ambassadors The members may not have high public confidence if elected before the send joint open letter to activists injured during Parliament endorses “ambitious reform of the judiciary” envisaged in the June 2019 anti- agreement, the watchdogs stressed. They called on the Georgian lawmakers to occupation protest adopt legislation suspending any HCoJ elections until steps are taken to ensure a 4. Anna Dolidze “transparent and fair” appointment process. Inaugurates New Lelo for Georgia MP Ana Natsvlishvili said today that she has initiated a bill to Political Party impose a moratorium on the appointments until the judiciary reforms are 5. Massive Protest Against Namakhvani HPP through. She argued that the ruling Georgian Dream party is attempting to Underwent in Tbilisi “strengthen its positions” in the judiciary meanwhile. 6. EU Ambassador calls on The Republican party also delivered a statement today, warning that the GD sides to start dialogue aims to increase its influence in the judiciary through the group of influential on Namakhvani issue judges often referred to as the “clan.” The Council aims to gather members who 7. US Ambassador hopes will carry out the influential group’s interests “without resistance,” so it does not UNM to enter Parliament wait for the Parliament to endorse the reforms, according to the statement. 8. US and EU Ambassadors Responding to the criticisms, Secretary of the HCoJ Nikoloz Marsagishvili call for postponement of judiciary appointments argued that the Council is required by law to make the appointments, as there is 9. Human Rights no legal mechanism to extend the terms of the four outgoing members. Committee backs GD- GD lawmaker Irakli Kadagishvili affirmed today that the ruling party will ensure proposed amnesty bill in that the EU-brokered deal is fully implemented, adding that the process can be first reading COVID-19 further “accelerated” with the opposition’s “timely and constructive involvement.” 10. Georgian doctors may The Council consists of 15 members, including the Chairperson elected out of the start using Israeli Covid- judge-members for a four-year term. There are nine judge-members overall, 19 drug to treat critically including the Supreme Court Chair, appointed by the Conference of Judges. ill patients Meanwhile of the six non-judge members, five are elected by the Parliament, and 11. Georgia close to signing one is named by the President. deal for 1 mln doses of Pfizer vaccine 2. Freedom House ‘Nations in Transit’ Report on Georgia 12. Over 100,000 people The October 2020 parliamentary elections “put tremendous strain on Georgian have been vaccinated democracy,” reads the Nations in Transit 2021 narrative report on Georgia, against Covid-19 since published today by the U.S.-based rights watchdog Freedom House. March in Georgia “While the preelection period was comparatively free and competitive, cases of 13. Georgia begins vaccination with Chinese voter intimidation, misuse of administrative resources, as well as instances of Sinovac violence and political pressure intensified as election day approached,” Economy and Social highlighted the report, according to which, Georgia’s Democracy Score declined Affairs from 3.25 to 3.18, keeping the country in the transitional or hybrid regime 14. Borjomi suspends category. operation of both The overall score decline owes to the Electoral Process rating declining from 3.25 factories while workers to 3.00, reflecting that despite positive amendments to the electoral code, the on strike 2020 elections were “marred by instances of vote-buying” and the second-round 15. Borjomi mineral company, striking boycott by the opposition; and the Independent Media rating declining from workers reach 3.75 to 3.50, to reflect Adjara TV dismissals as well as new law enabling the agreement, strike is over National Communications Commission (GNCC) to interfere in broadcasters’ 16. Nabeghlavi distributors operations. go on strike Regarding the press, the report said, “2020 was also a challenging year for media 17. Turkey, Russia, China freedom in Georgia.” It highlighted that “the country’s pluralistic media Georgia's top trading partners in Jan.-Apr. environment continued to be plagued by political polarization and the influence 2021 of party affiliation,” adding that “ongoing pressure on Adjara TV continued to 18. Strike on for the Third challenge its independence and caused large-scale staff changes, as well as fears Week in Ozurgeti Flour of a gradual government takeover of the public broadcaster.” (Civil.ge, May 20, Milling Plant 2021) 19. Georgia, USAID Sign 3. EU, US ambassadors send joint open letter to activists injured New USD 67 Mln Grant during June 2019 anti-occupation protest 20. Communications Ambassadors of the European Union and the United States Carl Hartzell and Commission gives 3- month deadline to Kelly Degnan have sent a joint letter to the civil activists injured during June 20, Caucasus Online to 2019. return 100% of sold Hartzell and Degnan say that as Georgia’s partners, they have worked ‘to help shares to original state end an extended political crisis emanating from the parliamentary elections 21. New Deputy Economy 2020'. Minister Appointed “The 19 April Agreement was a compromise brokered through a challenging 22. Restaurants, bars, cafes allowed to receive guests mediation process and its contents are fully owned by Georgia’s political leaders. indoors on weekends Under its first article, the agreement outlines a commitment to address cases of starting June 1 perceived politicized justice”, the joint statement reads. 23. Georgia eases entry “Based on this commitment, it is up to the political parties represented in the restrictions for travellers Parliament to determine the exact modalities of these obligations, including an from Canada, Japan, Kuwait, China, South amnesty law that meets the intended objectives of the Agreement and respects Korea, Moldova, Oman Georgian laws, the European Convention of Human Rights, as well as all other 24. Georgia opening land pertinent international conventions to which Georgia is a member”, it also says borders on June 1 (Agenda.ge, May 22, 2021). Occupied Territories 4. Anna Dolidze Inaugurates New Political Party 25. 5 years since brutal murder of Georgian Anna Dolidze, a former non-judge member of the High Council of Justice (HCoJ), citizen Giga Otkhozoria held a congress at Arto Park in Tbilisi on May 22, inaugurating a new political by occupation forces party For People. 26. Patriarch of Antioch At the congress, Anna Dolidze stated that social justice will be a cornerstone of Hosts Abkhaz Leader in Damascus the new political party. “We choose a way of governance where social equality is External Policy the main driving idea of the state,” said Dolidze, adding that the party wants to 27. Georgian Defense Forces create a country “without hunger as a primary challenge.” Chief Visits NATO HQ Anna Dolidze also said that the party unites competent people, who share the 28. Prime Minister same values, and who fight for justice and Georgia’s better future. “Having faith Garibashvili Concludes in solidarity, we believe that we can build a welfare state,” she added. Madrid Visit Previously Dolidze ran as an independent candidate for Tbilisi’s Didube- 29. Abashidze, Karasin Talk Chughureti majoritarian district in October 2020 parliamentary elections. She Humanitarian Situation, Trade received 17.95% of votes in the first round, coming in third after Georgian 30. Georgian Foreign Dream’s Gia Volski with 42.64% and joint opposition candidate Zurab Japaridze Ministry on Belarus of Girchi (united oppositional candidate) party with 21.06% (Civil.ge, May 22, 2 Flight Diversion 2021). 31. Georgian President: 5. Massive Protest Against Namakhvani HPP Underwent in Tbilisi Forced landing of The half-year-long protest against the construction of the Namakhvani Ryanair flight, arrest of journalist unacceptable Hydropower Plant project in western Georgia’s Rioni Valley has shifted to Tbilisi, 32. President of Poldand as thousands from all across Georgia gathered at the capital city’s First Republic Duda visits Georgia for Square to voice their discontent with the controversial project. Independence Day 33. Georgian PM, Ukrainian Addressing the diverse protesting crowd, which encompassed Georgians from all Defence Minister discuss strategic cooperation sides of the left-right political spectrum, the protest leader, Varlam Goletiani reiterated their earlier demands: terminating the state’s contract with Namakhvani HPP investor and Enka Renewables company to leave the Rioni valley; the launch of criminal investigations against officials involved in drafting and signing the document, including Economy Minister Natia Turnava, and
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Foreign Affairs 3
    NEWS DIGEST ON GEORGIA September 26-29 Compiled by: Aleksandre Davitashvili Date: September 30, 2019 Occupied Regions Abkhazia Region 1. 26 years passed since fall of Sokhumi The Georgian government and parliament members, leaders of various political parties gathered at Memorial of Heroes in Tbilisi to commemorate those, who died in the struggle for Georgia’s territorial integrity. Wreaths are laid at the memorial. Military confrontation in Abkhazia began on August 14, 1992. Military activities lasted for 13 months and 13 days and ended with the fall of Sokhumi on September 27, 1993. Russian, North Caucasian and Cossack units stormed the building of the Council of Ministers of Abkhazia early on September 27 and captured Zhiuli Shartava, head of the Council of Ministers of Abkhazia, the Mayor of Sokhumi and 27 employees of the Council of Ministers. The captured people who did not leave Sukhumi were shot dead (1TV, September 27, 2019). 2. Giorgi Gakharia: September 27 is most difficult and painful day for every citizen of Georgia “For all citizens of today’s Georgia, regardless of their age, this day, September 27, marks the day when Sokhumi fell 26 years ago. Of course, both we and Abkhazians have learned a lot and have grown since. We share many bonds, and what binds us is the understanding and acknowledgment that the war was the most devastating tragedy. And that is the foundation allowing us to say that peace is critically important to both Georgians and Abkhazians. Consequently, it is important for every citizen to understand that war is not a solution, and that tireless efforts 24/7 building the country and democratic institutions, and a strong and unified Georgia is what we must serve together.”, – Giorgi Gakharia said (1TV, September 27, 2019).
    [Show full text]
  • Georgia: Background and U.S
    Georgia: Background and U.S. Policy Updated September 5, 2018 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov R45307 SUMMARY R45307 Georgia: Background and U.S. Policy September 5, 2018 Georgia is one of the United States’ closest non-NATO partners among the post-Soviet states. With a history of strong economic aid and security cooperation, the United States Cory Welt has deepened its strategic partnership with Georgia since Russia’s 2008 invasion of Analyst in European Affairs Georgia and 2014 invasion of Ukraine. U.S. policy expressly supports Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, and Georgia is a leading recipient of U.S. aid in Europe and Eurasia. Many observers consider Georgia to be one of the most democratic states in the post-Soviet region, even as the country faces ongoing governance challenges. The center-left Georgian Dream party has more than a three-fourths supermajority in parliament, allowing it to rule with only limited checks and balances. Although Georgia faces high rates of poverty and underemployment, its economy in 2017 appeared to enter a period of stronger growth than the previous four years. The Georgian Dream won elections in 2012 amid growing dissatisfaction with the former ruling party, Georgia: Basic Facts Mikheil Saakashvili’s center-right United National Population: 3.73 million (2018 est.) Movement, which came to power as a result of Comparative Area: slightly larger than West Virginia Georgia’s 2003 Rose Revolution. In August 2008, Capital: Tbilisi Russia went to war with Georgia to prevent Ethnic Composition: 87% Georgian, 6% Azerbaijani, 5% Saakashvili’s government from reestablishing control Armenian (2014 census) over Georgia’s regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Religion: 83% Georgian Orthodox, 11% Muslim, 3% Armenian which broke away from Georgia in the early 1990s to Apostolic (2014 census) become informal Russian protectorates.
    [Show full text]
  • CG37(2019)24 7 July 2020
    ACTIVITY REPORT (Mid-October 2019 – June 2020) s part of its monitoring of local and regional democracy in Europe, the Congress maintains a regular dialogue with A member states of the Council of Europe. The Committee of Ministers, which includes the 47 Foreign Ministers of these states, the Conference of Ministers responsible for local and regional authorities, as well as its Steering Committees are partners in this regard. Several times a year, the President and the Secretary General of the Congress provide the representatives of the 47 member states in the Committee of Ministers with a record of its activities. www.coe.int/congress/fr PREMS 082820 [email protected] ENG The Council of Europe is the continent’s leading human rights organisation. It comprises 47 member states, including all Communication by the Secretary General members of the European Union. The Congress of Local and of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities Regional Authorities is an institution of the Council of Europe, www.coe.int responsible for strengthening local and regional democracy 1380bis meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies in its 47 member states. Composed of two chambers – the Chamber of Local Authorities and the Chamber of Regions – 8 July 2020 and three committees, it brings together 648 elected officials representing more than 150 000 local and regional authorities. Activity report of the Congress (October 2019 – June 2020) CG37(2019)24 7 July 2020 Activity Report of the Congress (October 2019 – June 2020) Communication by the Secretary General of the Congress at the 1380bis meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies 8 July 2020 Layout: Congress of Local and Regional Authorities Print: Council of Europe Edition: July 2020 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Communication by Andreas KIEFER, Acting Secretary General of the Congress ........
    [Show full text]
  • Fma Visit to Georgia
    FMA VISIT TO GEORGIA 29 September- 4 October 2019 List of speakers’ CVs 30 September, Monday .................................................................................................................................. 3 H.E. Carl HARTZELL ...................................................................................................................................... 3 Tamar KHULORDAVA .................................................................................................................................. 3 Archil TALAKVADZE ..................................................................................................................................... 4 Giorgi KANDELAKI ....................................................................................................................................... 5 Gigo BOKERIA .............................................................................................................................................. 6 Tinatin BOKUCHAVA ................................................................................................................................... 6 Akaki Zoidze ................................................................................................................................................ 7 Dimitri TSKITISHVILI .................................................................................................................................... 7 Otar KAKHIDZE ...........................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Evolution of the Georgian Internet
    Evolution of the Georgian Internet Jim Cowie, Chief Scientist Tbilisi, Georgia 19 May 2015 Georgia’s Regional Connections The Caucasus region is a natural bridge Bulgaria (Varna) between Central Asia, Azerbaijan Middle East and Europe Georgia’s railways and energy pipelines provide natural routes for fiberoptic interconnection @JimCowie 4 Regional Context 5 3 1 Jeddah Amman Damascus Istanbul 2 Gulf Bridge / Iraqi ITPC 6 3 Europe-Persia Express Gateway 4 Russian connectivity 5 TASIM 6 Caucasus Cable System 2 3 1 @JimCowie MARKET STRUCTURE, GROWTH, AND DIVERSITY @JimCowie Domestic ASN growth in Georgia 60 • 125% growth since 50 2009 – very strong 40 • Compare to 30 worldwide growth 20 of 65% in the same period 10 0 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 @JimCowie Domestic ASNs regionally RU: 4609 Compare to: • Ecuador (53) GE: 55 • Egypt (54) • Kuwait (54) AM: 59 AZ: 35 • Puerto Rico (55) TR: 348 • Cyprus (56) IR: 332 @JimCowie Domestic ASNs connected cross-border RU: 439/4609 “Too few” cross-border ASN connections may indicate an increased risk of accidental GE: 7/55 Internet disconnection • <3: severe risk AM: 8/59 AZ: 3/35 TR: 29/348 • <10: significant risk • <40: low risk IR: 5/332 @JimCowie Percent of market on-net, largest providers RU: 50% Rostelecom 12880 High on-net market capture suggests limitations on GE: 64% competition, powerful Caucasus Online AS20771 incumbent role in market AM: 36% AZ: 89% W. Europe median: 37% TR: 96% Delta AS29049 Middle East median: 68% Turk Telekom AS9121 Central Asia median: 64% IR: 71% TIC AS12880 GNC-ALFA
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Showcase List of Participants
    INAUGURAL ANNUAL SHOWCASE LIST OF PARTICIPANTS Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies From Words to Action: Implementing SDG 16+ at the local and national level 30 October–1 November 2017 Courtyard Marriott Tbilisi 4 Freedom Square 1. Jairo Acuña-Alfaro, Global Policy Advisor, Core Government Functions and Public Service Excellence, Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, UNDP 2. Jassim Ahamed, Head of Media Department, Embassy of the State of Qatar, Tbilisi 3. Aida Ajanovic, Head of Research, Why Not and National Coordinator, Action SEE Network Accountability, Technology, and Institutional Openness Network in South East Europe 4. Medea Akolashvili, Advisor, Georgian Competition Agency 5. Mubarak Nasser Al-Khalifa, Ambassador, Embassy of the State of Qatar, Tbilisi, H.E. 6. Hamdan Al-Safran, Third Secretary, Embassy of the State of Qatar, Tbilisi 7. Katia Helena dos Reis Almeida, Director of Access to Law and Citizenship, Cabo Verde (TBD) 8. Milena Altmeyer, Good Governance Advisor, GIZ 9. Zaal Anjaparidze, GPPAC Project Coordinator, ICCN 10. Levan Avalishvili, Programs Director, Institute for the Development of Freedom of Information 11. Victoria Baikova, Head of the UN Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Georgia 12. Lela Bakradze, Assistant Representative, UNFPA Georgia 13. Aleksandre Baramidze, First Deputy of Minister, Ministry of Justice, Georgia 14. Natalia Baratashvili, Capacity Development Coordinator, UNDP 15. Tornike Baratashvili, Executive Director, “Europe Is Our Home” 2 16. Marc Baxmann, Policy and Communication Officer, Fri-Ent, Working Group on Peace and Development 17. Bernard Bebe, Young Leader, UNA Zimbabwe 18. Ketevan Bendelava, Senior Specialist, Tbilisi City Hall 19. Ketevani Beradze, Project Assistant, Civic Development Agency (CiDA) 20.
    [Show full text]
  • Georgia: Background and U.S
    Georgia: Background and U.S. Policy Cory Welt Specialist in European Affairs Updated October 17, 2019 Congressional Research Service 7-.... www.crs.gov R45307 SUMMARY R45307 Georgia: Background and U.S. Policy October 17, 2019 Georgia is one of the United States’ closest partners among the states that gained their independence after the USSR collapsed in 1991. With a history of strong economic aid Cory Welt and security cooperation, the United States has deepened its strategic partnership with Specialist in European Georgia since Russia’s 2008 invasion of Georgia and 2014 invasion of Ukraine. U.S. Affairs policy expressly supports Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its [email protected] internationally recognized borders, and Georgia is a leading recipient of U.S. aid to For a copy of the full report, Europe and Eurasia. please call 7-.... or visit www.crs.gov. Many observers consider Georgia to be one of the most democratic states in the post- Soviet region, even as the country faces ongoing governance challenges. The center-left Georgian Dream- Democratic Georgia party (GD) holds a dominant political position, with about 70% of seats in parliament. Although Georgia faces high rates of poverty and underemployment, its economy has performed better since 2017 than it did in the previous four years. The GD led a coalition to victory in parliamentary elections in 2012 amid growing dissatisfaction with Georgia at a Glance the former ruling party, Mikheil Saakashvili’s center- Population: 3.72 million (2019 est.) right United National Movement, which came to Comparative Area: slightly larger than West Virginia power as a result of Georgia’s 2003 Rose Revolution.
    [Show full text]
  • The President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
    SOCIAL MEDIA 29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2019 ISSUE N: 109 The PresideNt of the ParliameNtary Assembly of the CouNcil of Europe (PACE) Paid a Visit to Georgia 29-30.04.2019 TBILISI • WithiN the frames of her visit the PACE PresideNt LiliaNe Maury Pasquier addressed the GeorgiaN ParliameNt duriNg a solemN parliameNtary sessioN dedicated to the 20th aNNiversary of Georgia's accessioN to the CouNcil of Europe. • LiliaNe Maury Pasquier held meetiNgs with PresideNt Salome Zourabichvili, Prime MiNister Mamuka Bakhtadze, Speaker of ParliameNt Irakli Kobakhidze, MiNister of ForeigN Affairs Davit ZalkaliaNi aNd GeorgiaN delegatioN to PACE. • PACE PresideNt visited TserovaNi IDP settlemeNt aNd occupatioN liNe iN the village of Odzisi. • Discussed: ENhaNciNg bilateral relatioNs, oNgoiNg democratic reforms withiN the couNtry, Georgia's EuropeaN aNd Euro-AtlaNtic iNtegratioN, grave humaNitariaN situatioN iN Georgia’s occupied territories. MORE MeetiNg of the U.S.-Georgia Strategic PartNership CommissioN's Democracy aNd GoverNaNce WorkiNg Group 3.05.2019 TBILISI • The U.S.-Georgia Strategic PartNership CommissioN's (SPC) Democracy aNd GoverNaNce WorkiNg Group met at the MiNistry of ForeigN Affairs of Georgia to review progress oN eNsuriNg political pluralism, media freedom aNd iNdepeNdeNce of the justice system. The meetiNg was co-chaired by Deputy MiNister of ForeigN Affairs VakhtaNg Makharoblishvili aNd Deputy Justice MiNister Gocha LordkipaNidze. The U.S. delegatioN was headed by the Deputy AssistaNt Secretary of State for EuropeaN aNd EurasiaN Affairs George KeNt, USAID Deputy AssistaNt AdmiNistrator for the Bureau of Europe aNd Eurasia AlexaNder Sokolowski, Deputy AssistaNt Secretary of State for Democracy, HumaN Rights aNd Labor Michael Kelleher. • WithiN the frames of the visit U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • New Challenges to Global Security from Russia Post-Crimea to Cyber Security Post-Snowden
    New Challenges to Global Security From Russia post-Crimea to Cyber Security post-Snowden proceedings of the 31st international workshop on global security Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian Minister of Defense of France & Workshop Patron Dr. Roger Weissinger-Baylon Workshop Chairman Anne D. Baylon Editor Proceedings of the 31st International Workshop on Global Security Anne D. Baylon, Editor Patron Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian Minister of Defense of France Theme New Challenges to Global Security From Russia post-Crimea to Cyber Security post-Snowden Workshop Chairman & Founder Dr. Roger Weissinger-Baylon Co-Director, Center for Strategic Decision Research Presented by Center for Strategic Decision Research (CSDR) and Institut des hautes études de défense nationale (IHEDN) Principal Sponsors French Ministry of Defense United States Department of Defense Office of the Director of Net Assessment North Atlantic Treaty Organization Public Diplomacy Major Sponsors Lockheed-Martin · McAfee, a part of Intel Security · Microsoft MITRE · Fortinet · Tiversa · Area SpA · Dyn · Tenable Network Security Associate Sponsors Kaspersky Lab · FireEye · URS Quantum Research International Middlebury Institute of International Studies Cover: Dôme of the Hôtel National des Invalides Photography: Jean Lee ([email protected]) This work has been funded in part by a multi year grant from the Office of the U.S. Secretary of Defense (Office of the Director of Net Assessment – Contract Number HQ0034 13 P 0081) and by a grant from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Public Diplomacy Division) with- Lockheed Martin, McAfee a part of Intel Security, Microsoft, MITRE, -Fortinet, Tiversa, Area SpA, Dyn, - - Tenable Network Security, Kaspersky Lab, FireEye, and URS. The views presented in this book are entirely additional fiancial support from those of the editors and authors and do not reflect the - - official positions of any of the above organizations .
    [Show full text]
  • Georgia: Background and U.S
    Georgia: Background and U.S. Policy Updated April 1, 2019 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov R45307 SUMMARY R45307 Georgia: Background and U.S. Policy April 1, 2019 Georgia is one of the United States’ closest partners among the states that gained their independence after the USSR collapsed in 1991. With a history of strong economic aid Cory Welt and security cooperation, the United States has deepened its strategic partnership with Specialist in European Georgia since Russia’s 2008 invasion of Georgia and 2014 invasion of Ukraine. U.S. Affairs policy expressly supports Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, and Georgia is a leading recipient of U.S. aid to Europe and Eurasia. Many observers consider Georgia to be one of the most democratic states in the post-Soviet region, even as the country faces ongoing governance challenges. The center-left Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia party (GD) has close to a three-fourths supermajority in parliament and governs with limited checks and balances. Although Georgia faces high rates of poverty and underemployment, its economy in 2017 and 2018 appeared to show stronger growth than it had in the previous four years. The GD led a coalition to victory in parliamentary elections in 2012 amid growing dissatisfaction with Georgia at a Glance the former ruling party, Mikheil Saakashvili’s center- Population: 3.73 million (2018 est.) right United National Movement, which came to Comparative Area: slightly larger than West
    [Show full text]
  • Optimizing Internet Application Performance
    EQUINIX WHITEPAPER OPTIMIZING INTERNET APPLICATION PERFORMANCE By the Equinix Innovations Team TABLE OF CONTENTS pages Introduction 2 Speed 3 Availability & Consistency 3 Platform EquinixSM 4-5 How Do We Test Application Performance? 6 Results 7 Round Trip Time, Traceroutes, Availability, and Predictability 7-8 Takeaways 9 1 © 2010-2011 Equinix, Inc. | www.equinix.com EQUINIX WHITEPAPER OPTIMIZING INTERNET APPLICATION PERFORMANCE By the Equinix Innovations Team In today’s digital economy, performance can be a strategic differentiator for your company. Whether you’re a bank handling millions of clients online, a retailer dependent on your website to drive sales, or a cloud computing company powering enterprises, performance-related end user experience is one of the key criteria on which your company will be judged. There are numerous examples of how performance can impact revenue: ■■ Amazon — “Every 100ms delay costs Performance isn’t just about the speed of a site; availability and 1 consistency are also important. Being able to deliver consistent, 1% of sales” — for 2009 that translates reliable service is fundamental to customer conversion and into $245 million retention. From frustrated consumers trying to buy gifts for Christmas to multinational companies attempting to do computational modeling, all types of customers become frustrated ■■ Mozilla shaved 2.2 seconds of when websites or cloud services aren’t fast or pages fail to load. load time off its landing pages and Being able to provide your customers a consistent experience, increased download conversions by or in the case of the enterprise, to actually guarantee that performance and consistency with a Service Level Agreement 15.4%, translating into an additional (SLA), translates to increased revenue by improving the end user 60 million downloads each year2 experience and reducing resistance from corporate buyers.
    [Show full text]
  • Scarica (59.254 Kb
    European Commission - Weekly activities Calendrier du 8 juin au 14 juin 2020 Brussels, 5 June 2020 (Susceptible de modifications en cours de semaine) Déplacements et visites Lundi 8 juin 2020 President Ursula von der Leyen holds a videoconference call with Mr Charles Michel, President of the European Council. Mr Valdis Dombrovskis holds a videoconference call with Mr Gitanas Nausėda, President of Lithuania. Mr Nicolas Schmit takes holds a videoconference call with Mr Alain Dehaze, CEO of the Adecco Group. M. Nicolas Schmit participe dans une vidéoconférence avec M. Hugues Sibille du Labo de l'ESS,M. Louis Gallois et M. Laurent Granguillaume, dirigeants de l'expérience française de Territoire Zéro chômeur. Mr Thierry Breton holds a videoconference call with Mr Lakshmi N. Mittal, CEO of ArcelorMittal. Ms Elisa Ferreira holds a videoconference call with representatives of the Confederation of Portuguese Farmers (CAP). Mr Didier Reynders addresses an online event on human rights and environmental due diligence organised by the International Federation for Human Rights (Fédération internationale des Droits de l'Homme – FIDH). M. Didier Reynders participe à un webinar sur l'Etat de droit organisé par la Conférence du Jeune barreau. Mr Janez Lenarčič in The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) (until 9/10): participates in the Humanitarian Air Bridge mission to the DRC with Mr Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France and Mr Philippe Goffin, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence of Belgium; meets His Excellency Félix Tshisekedi, President of the DRC and Mr Sylvestre Ilunga, Prime Minister of the DRC; and meets Mr Jean-Jacques Muyembe, National Coordinator of the response against the COVID-19 pandemic in the DRC.
    [Show full text]