Issue no: 933 • MARCH 31 - APRIL 3, 2017 • PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50

In this week’s issue... FOCUS ON BREAKS & TIES As Britain backs out, Georgia works on deepening relations with its EU counterparts PAGE 4-6 Georgian, Latvian Presidents Mull Deeper Ties NEWS PAGE 2 What Brexit Means for the EU, Russia, and Georgia POLITICS PAGE 4 FM Janelidze: Georgia is an Important Global Coalition Partner POLITICS PAGE 5 Microsoft Georgia Presents Cloud Technology Strategy

Source: coffi nmew.co.uk BUSINESS PAGE 10 New Season of Tbilisi Fashion UN Security Council Discusses Developments Week Kicks off in April SOCIETY PAGE 16 in Georgia’s Occupied Territories 78-Year-Old Classic Writer Guram Dochanashvili BY THEA MORRISON Summons Us to Love the Earth

he Security Council of the United & Mankind Nations (UN) discussed the recent CULTURE PAGE 17 developments in Georgia’s breaka- way regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia at a closed meeting on St David’s TMarch 28. The issue was raised by the Ukrainian Delega- College tion and, as the Ukrainian Ambassador Volody- myr Yelchenko said, the issue will not be sup- Rugby Tour pressed "as long as Ukraine is a member of the Security Council and even after that”. to Georgia The top issues discussed at the meeting were: SPORTS PAGE 19 Reduction of crossing-points connecting break- away Abkhazia with the rest of Georgia, illegal parliamentary elections in Abkhazia, unifi cation of armies under the Russian Armed Forces, as well as the upcoming referendum on changing the name of occupied South Ossetia. While delivering his speech, Yelchenko stated Abkhazia; closing down of crossing-points; the All the delegations of the UN Security Council the situation is deteriorating in the breakaway ethnic situation in the fi eld of human rights; all, were in favor of Georgia’s sovereignty and ter- regions. in our opinion, deserve the attention of the ritorial integrity except the Russian Federation. “Some people think that this is a frozen or Security Council,” he said. Russia’s acting Permanent Representative to sleeping confl ict but the situation reminds us United Kingdom’s Ambassador and Permanent the United Nations, Pyotr Ilyichev, said "the very well of our own painful experience in Representative to the UN, Matthew Rycroft, also situation in Abkhazia and South Ossetia is not Crimea. The action by the Russian Federation, made a comment, saying the so-called elections a confl ict, so the Security Council should not which aims at the factual unifi cation of the armed in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region are a “farce”, distract its attention to it." forces of the Russian Federation and Ossetia and and the UK does not recognize them. Continued on page 3 GEORGIA TODAY 2 NEWS MARCH 31 - APRIL 3, 2017 Developments in Georgia’s Breakaway Regions Discussed at 39th Round of Geneva Int’l Talks

BY THEA MORRISON

eorgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) reports that the 39th round of the Inter- national Talks of Geneva, established following the GAugust War between Georgia and Rus- sia in 2008, was held on March 28-29, at Georgian, Latvian which the Georgian side condemned Russia’s actions in Georgia’s occupied regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia (Tskhinvali). The talks were co-chaired by repre- Presidents Mull sentatives from the European Union (EU), United Nations (UN) and the Organization for Security and Co- of North Ossetia-Alania, which is a fed- Line (ABL) of Abkhazia were also con- Operation in Europe (OSCE), as well eral subject of Russia. demned by Georgian representatives. Deeper Ties as delegates from Georgia, Russia and Moreover, Georgian representatives The co-chairs raised the Khurcha inci- the United States (US), and authorities condemned the so-called military deal dent, where an unarmed 31-year-old with this occasion. Latvia has greatly con- from de facto Abkhazia and Tskhinvali over the unifi cation of South Ossetian citizen of Georgia, Giga Otkhozoria, was BY THEA MORRISON tributed to this process. Our countries are regions. and Russian armies under the Russian gunned down by Russian border guards strategic partners and at every step we The MFA reports that the talks were Armed Forces which was assessed as on Georgian-controlled territory in the feel your fi rm support of our sovereignty held within a two meeting-group format. another illegal move towards annexation village of Khurcha, close to the Nabakevi he prospects of further and territorial integrity, European and At one meeting, the sides discussed of the region. Crossing Point at the ABL on May 19, strengthening relations Euro-Atlantic integration, Georgian state, security and stability issues in Georgia’s The transportation of missile complexes 2016. They said the murderer, who is an between Georgia and Latvia and its further reinforcement," Margve- breakaway Abkhazia and Tskhinvali to Abkhazia by Russia, intensive milita- Abkhazian citizen and who is wanted by in various fi elds were dis- lashvili told Vejonis at the meeting. regions, while the second meeting con- rization and military drills in both break- Interpol, should be detained as soon as cussed at the meeting of The parties also discussed the upcom- cerned the safe return of Internally Dis- away regions were also assessed as vio- possible. TGeorgian President Giorgi Margvelash- ing NATO Summit in Brussels and pro- placed Persons (IDPs) and refugees to lations of the August 2008 ceasefi re Furthermore, the Georgian Delegation vili and his Latvian counterpart Raimonds motion of Georgia’s interests at the Sum- their homes. agreement. raised the issue of IDPs and their safe Vejonis in Tbilisi on Tuesday. mit, highlighting the necessity of The Georgian delegation reviewed the The installation of barbed wire fences return to their homes in the occupied The Georgian President highlighted strengthening business relations and the security situation in the occupied regions and new border signs, the kidnapping regions of Georgia. During the discus- the special importance of this visit, as it volume of bilateral trade in order to make of Georgia and condemned the upcom- of Georgian citizens, depriving local sions, the representatives of the Russian coincided with the launch of the visa- full use of the economic potential of ing referendum on changing Tskhinvali’s youth of an education in their mother Federation left the discussions in protest. free regime with the European Union. Georgia and Latvia. name to "the Republic of South Ossetia tongue, and the reduction of "check- The next round of Geneva Talks has "It is symbolic that your visit coincides Continued on page 4 – the State of Alania” similar to the name points" at the Administrative Boundary been scheduled for June 20-21, 2017. GEORGIA TODAY MARCH 31 - APRIL 3, 2017 NEWS 3 Gov’t Plans to Reduce Number of Self-Governing Cities

such cities did not bring the positive and governors. They say the majority BY THEA MORRISON results expected. wants to centralize power. “The administrative expenses were Opposition party Alliance of Patriots doubled, also the effectiveness of gov- of Georgia (APG) believes that the deci- he government of Georgia ernance decreased,” Deputy Minister of sion should be made after active consul- is planning to reduce the Regional Development and Infrastruc- tations with the people. number of self-governing ture, Kakha Guledani, stated. “The population should have the right cities from twelve to fi ve. However, the ministry stressed that to decide whether they support these This means that during the the planned amendments do not refer changes or not,” APG member Irma Tlocal elections, Mayors will only be to the direct election rule of mayors and Inashvili said. elected in Tbilisi, Batumi, Rustavi, Kutaisi governors. Irakli Abesadze, member of the parlia- and Poti. The other cities will be left 120 public, media and non-governmen- mentary minority Movement for Free- without such opportunity. tal organizations addressed the Speaker dom-European Georgia believes that The information was confi rmed by the of Georgian Parliament Irakli Kobakhidze these amendments will weaken local ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party which and Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili governing, while the United National believes that the Local Self-Government with the request not to abolish the self- Movement (UNM) says the direct elec- Code, which was activated in 2014 and governing status of seven cities: Zugdidi, tions of the mayors and governors are which increased the number of self- Ozurgeti, Gori, Telavi, Akhaltsikhe, vital. governing cities from fi ve to twelve, Mtskheta and Ambrolauri. The Chairman of Parliament says that needs to be revised. The organizations believe that this entities formed after 2014. hamper the process of development. detailed discussions are necessary over The Ministry of Regional Development action will be a step backwards for the The authors of the document urge the The opposition believes that the inten- the issue. “When it comes to self-gov- and Infrastructure is working on the country. According to them, it is unac- government to formulate a clear posi- tion of the majority is targeted at abol- ernance, it is very important to take a issue, which says that the increase of ceptable to abolish the self-governing tion and not make a decision that could ishing the direct elections of the mayors cautious approach," Kobakhidze said. UN Security Council Discusses Developments in Georgia’s Occupied Territories

Continued from page 1 sion," he stressed. coming elections and referendum at the the end of the Geneva Discussions," Ily- Georgians in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali He reminded those present that a spe- Security Council "will only add to the ichev stated. regions, as well as for work to be carried Russian news agency Tass reports that cial format has been set up to settle prob- obvious harm done to the Geneva Dis- The Geneva International Talks were out on an ultimate peaceful resolution Ilyichev called on other delegations to lems between Georgia on the one hand cussions" by the annual consideration established following the Russia-Georgia of both confl icts. ‘‘recognize the reality that has formed and Abkhazia and South Ossetia on the at the General Assembly of a "politicized war of August 2008, which ended with In addition, the Geneva format has in the past eight years”. other - the Geneva Discussions on Secu- draft resolution" on refugees in the region. the cutting of diplomatic ties between been unprecedented as three moderat- “The issue of the state sovereignty of rity and Stability in South Caucasus - and “If Georgia and its patrons continue to the two countries. Georgia supported ing parties of the US, the UN, the EU Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which were this format has “proven its worth”. attempt to discuss security problems in the format which would allow some and the OSCE prevent the Russian side recognized as independent states by Russia’s representative went on to stress New York without Abkhazia’s and South essential humanitarian measures to be from exerting direct diplomatic pressure Russia, cannot be a subject for discus- that the initiative to discuss the forth- Ossetia’s participation, it may well be taken in order to protect the rights of on Georgia. GEORGIA TODAY 4 POLITICS MARCH 31 - APRIL 3, 2017 What Brexit Means for the EU, Russia & Georgia

increased relative weight of countries “privileged zone of interest” implicitly BY DR. ALEXANDER KUPATADZE, such as Hungary and Italy—which are means that Russia will not easily give KING’S COLLEGE LONDON openly advocating for reconciling with up control in its immediate neighbor- Russia and turning a blind eye to its hood. Even if Russia’s engagement in aggressive handling of its neighbours— Syria is more about international prestige espite some recent positive may become decisive. and demonstration of military strength developments (i.e., visa Some observers think that preoccupa- than about contesting the assumed liberalization for Georgia) tion with the refugee crisis—which is monopoly of American power in the the outlook for future EU- perceived to be a much larger problem Middle East, those goals would be under- Georgia relations is grim. for the EU than is Russian aggression in mined if a former protectorate such as DThere is little clarity of what, if anything, Ukraine and Georgia—may also aid the Georgia successfully drifted away from will come next in terms of Georgia’s emergence of a more conciliatory poli- the Russian orbit of infl uence. further integration with the EU. What’s tics toward Russia. There are good rea- Brexit also means the relationship more, there are reasons for future EU- sons why Russian politicians have between the EU and NATO may become Georgia relations to become even more sounded enthused statements after Brexit more diffi cult. UK has always been con- ambiguous in coming years. This post referendum. For example, Moscow May ceived as a crucial link between the two, briefl y outlines those factors, focusing Sergey Sobyanin said that without the bridging and reconciling contested claims on the implications of the Brexit refer- UK, no one in the EU “will so zealously from both sides: i.e., European resistance endum for EU-Georgia relations. Indeed, defend the sanctions against us.” to perceived American unilateralism and much of the implications for Georgia Georgia will lose one of its partners in America’s pressuring of Europe to share depend on EU-Russia relations, as well, the EU once Brexit is completed. The the burden of ensuring transatlantic a factor which is highlighted below. UK has traditionally been very support- security. French President Francois Hol- First, the EU faces an increasing chal- ive of Georgia’s interests. For example, lande’s comment that “NATO has no role lenge from right-wing populist groups in 2008 then-Prime Minister Gordon at all in saying what Europe’s relation- ranging from the Five Star Movement Brown condemned the August War as ship should be with Russia” indicates in Italy to the National Front in France, Attitudes such as these have direct is highly unlikely to change over the short Russia’s “continued aggression”, and that without the UK, transatlantic poli- and Brexit serves as a constant reminder implications for Georgia. Russia’s behav- and medium term. This situation could then-Foreign Secretary David Miliband cies may become less concerted, thus that this challenge is very real. These iour vis-à-vis Georgia is often accepted be exacerbated by Brexit, because the repeatedly called for the suspension of undermining NATO and US efforts to movements and their associated nation- as “legitimate” and justifi ed on grounds UK’s approach has always focused on EU-Russia partnership talks. The UK counteract Russia’s aggressive aims in alistic, anti-liberal ideologies undermine of defensive realism; i.e., Russia is just ensuring security of gas supplies through also supported visa liberalization for Eastern Europe. the EU’s supranational mode of govern- defending itself and would not be occu- fl exibility, while Germany, in contrast, Georgia and ratifi ed the EU-Georgia In the meantime, the EU’s policies in ance and trust-based, multilateral deci- pying parts of Georgian territory if it did focused more on long-term contracts Association Agreement ahead of the 2015 its eastern neighborhood remain vague. sion-making processes. not feel threatened. From this perspec- with Russia and subsidizing renewables. Riga Summit, thus demonstrating its The EU lacks a strategy for engaging its Moreover, these movements undermine tive, Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations After Brexit, EU member states may support. More recently, current Foreign eastern neighbors. There are unclear the foundational ideas of the European are met with scepticism because those further increase gas imports from Rus- Secretary Philip Hammond called Geor- assurances about potential accession, Union—which include democracy, the aspirations irritate Russia. sia, exacerbating the dependency prob- gia a “key international security partner and the notion of “privileged partner- rule of law, and respect for human rights— Second, the EU is increasingly driven lem. This has implications for Georgia. and regional democratic role model” ship” is poorly defi ned. Unlike Russia’s and have negative implications for the by pragmatic policies. For example, it’s Increased dependency, the related prag- and condemned Russia for bullying its clear carrot-and-stick approach, EU EU’s credibility and symbolic role around not entirely fair to treat Georgia and matism of the EU, and Russia’s eagerness neighbors. rewards and sanctions are vague and the world. These movements are invar- Ukraine on a parity basis in terms of to use energy supplies as tool for exert- On the other hand, there is every indi- uncertain, and so are its monitoring iably anti-globalist, anti-EU, and pro- visa liberalization policies. Georgia has ing political pressure all undermine cation that Russia is ready to take adverse mechanisms on the ground. [Russian President Vladimir] Putin. been a regional leader in governance Georgia’s chances for deeper integration measures to maintain infl uence in “its In sum, Brexit damages the potential For them, Russia’s interventionist and reforms and Ukraine has implemented with the EU. zone of privileged interest.” Western for deeper integration of Eastern Partner- revisionist policies in its “near abroad” only incremental improvements. Clearly, Third, Brexit means the EU will lose sanctions may not necessarily have a ship countries with the EU, Georgia is only a second-tier problem and is the policy of parity in Georgia and one of its three members with a global deterrent impact. Not much has changed included. Furthermore, it increases the rather interpreted as Russia defending Ukraine’s respective EU integration agenda and international strategic ambi- in Russia’s handling of the armed confl ict chances of the EU taking a more concil- itself from Western encroachment. The processes is based on geopolitical con- tions. That may make the EU’s common in Eastern Ukraine. While the success of iatory approach towards Russia. This has recent defeat of the People’s Party for siderations. foreign policy more cohesive. At the sanctions is mostly defi ned in terms of strong implications for Georgia, especially Freedom and Democracy (VVD) in Dutch Furthermore, the EU’s amicable rela- same time, it may eventually make EU non-events (e.g., if not for sanctions Rus- against the background of an assertive parliamentary elections offers a glimpse tions with authoritarian and repressive policy toward Russia more conciliatory. sia would have taken the city of Mariupol) Russia and an ambiguous EU. Given that, of hope, but it’s also clear the party’s but oil-rich Azerbaijan indicates that its In the context of EU-Russia relations, that are impossible to quantify, there is the prospects for EU-Georgia relations popularity has grown in recent years. policies are driven by a pragmatic the UK is currently one of the most next to nothing that indicates Russia is over the medium term look grim. Moreover, the extremist populist ideas approach rather than by normative con- “hawkish” EU member states. backing away from its military support still resonate with signifi cant segments siderations such as respect for human The UK’s role in imposing sanctions for separatists in the Donbas. of the population within the EU. rights. This example indicates that future on Russia after its military intervention Moreover, recently Russia has been Consider this unrepresentative sample: actions by the EU could defi ned increas- in Ukraine was so important that many trying to project infl uence as far from in the undergraduate and postgraduate ingly by interest-based calculations that analysts question whether, without the its borders as the Balkans and the Mid- The Georgian Institute of Politics was founded modules on EU-Russia relations that I’m don’t match up with the normative power role played by the UK, the EU would dle East. With receding EU infl uence in in 2011 to strengthen institutions and promote teaching during the spring semester at status it currently enjoys. have been able to impose sanctions at the Western Balkans, Russia has been good governance and development through King’s College London, most of the stu- This should be viewed in light of Russia all. Brexit means that support for EU working to fi ll the vacuum and has stepped policy research and advocacy in Georgia. dents are EU citizens, and most of them remaining an important market for Euro- sanctions will decrease signifi cantly. up its military collaboration with Serbia It publishes its blog with Georgia Today twice think Russia is a victim (of Western pean goods and a key supplier of gas to Moreover, sanctions will be a lower pri- while also trying to keep Bosnia, Mac- per month. Check out our website in English expansionism) rather than a perpetrator many EU member states. The depend- ority for key EU countries such as Ger- edonia, and Montenegro out of NATO. and Georgian at gip.ge for more blogs, data, (of aggression against its neighbors). ency of key EU countries on Russian gas many and France. Consequently, the The projection of power beyond its and analyses. Georgian, Latvian Presidents Mull Deeper Ties

Continued from page 2 develop for the well-being of our peo- our confl icts. Solution of the confl icts Georgia-EU relations and the main pri- cials signed several memorandums of ples. We discussed regional cooperation that exist between us and the citizens ority is to make full use of the Associa- understanding and agreements regard- The Georgian President pointed out between our countries. There is great- living in the occupied territories should tion Agreement,” he said, going on to ing cooperation in various areas. at the meeting that Georgia is becoming potential for strengthening multilateral fi rstly be peaceful and secondly, in accord- underline that Georgia serves as an The two presidents also visited Khur- increasingly attractive for Latvian busi- relations between Georgia and Latvia ance with the format and tradition of example for other aspirant countries valeti village, which is adjacent to the ness investments. and it will defi nitely be realized. This the European states,” the Georgian with its dedication and hard work. occupied Tskhinvali region, where they The importance of Georgia as a Europe- includes strengthening cooperation in President said. “It is important to continue this pro- spoke to the local people and listened Asia transport corridor, the Silk Road, the areas of military, economics, educa- The Latvian President congratulated gress under the Substantial NATO-Geor- to their problems. and the prospects of strengthening tion, science, and culture,” Margvelash- the Georgian population on the success- gian Package; it will boost Georgia’s President Vejonis said it is tragic that trans-regional cooperation were also vili said. ful termination of the visa liberalization defense capacities to better provide for in the modern world, barbed wire can discussed. He also added that the Latvian Presi- process and the commencement day of your security, as well as strengthen rela- divide a sovereign country into two. The conversation also touched upon dent had criticized the occupation and the visa-free regime. tions with NATO member countries. It “These fences divide families. Latvia the issue of strengthening economic ties annexation policy of the Russian Fed- “We believe that each country has the will also help Georgia to prepare for will never recognize such actions of Rus- between the regions of the Black and eration in Georgia’s breakaway territo- right to make independent and sovereign Georgia’s eventual membership,” Vejonis sia or occupation and we will always Baltic Seas, as well as cooperation in the ries. Margvelashvili pointed out that choices on foreign and security policy, added. “The so-called parliamentary and support Georgia’s integrity and sover- areas of security, economics, culture and those living in Georgia’s breakaway free from external pressures. We wel- presidential elections, as well as the so- eignty. I think it is very important that tourism. Abkhazia and South Ossetia holding come the choices that Georgia has made called referendums in breakaway regions, each country be sovereign and independ- “President Vejonis is our truly out- Georgian biometric passports are also and we continue to strongly support are not in accordance with international ent and, of course, we will work until standing friend and I would like to thank able to benefi t from visa liberalization Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations. law and will not be recognized by the this situation is resolved,” he stated. him for his fi rm support of Georgia. We with the EU. Georgia is one of the closest partners international community”. Within the framework of visit, Vejonis have discussed bilateral and multilateral “I believe that European integration for NATO and the European Union. Lat- Following the extended meeting of the will also visit EUMM offi ce in Gori, Shida cooperation, which Georgia and Latvia will provide European ways of solving via has always supported strengthening Presidents, Georgian and Latvian offi - Kartli region. GEORGIA TODAY MARCH 31 - APRIL 3, 2017 POLITICS 5 FM Janelidze: Georgia is an Important Global Coalition Partner

gia’s self-defense capabilities. BY ANNA KALANDADZE, The Georgian Prime Minister had a VOICE OF AMERICA chance to meet with US Vice-President Pence on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, where the parties oice of America met the agreed to hold a similar-level meeting Georgian Minister of For- in Washington. Currently, we are work- eign Affairs, Mikheil ing to hold a plenary session of the US- Janelidze State-side. Georgia security partnership program to be chaired by the Prime Minister of VWHAT IS GEORGIA’S ROLE Georgia and US Vice-President. IN THE ANTI-ISLAMIC STATE GLOBAL COALITION, YOU SAID RECENTLY THAT AND WHAT IS ITS LEVEL YOU EXPECT GEORGIA’S OF INVOLVEMENT? CLOSER PARTNERSHIP WITH Georgia joined the global coalition at its NATO THIS YEAR. WHY? founding in 2014. My visit to the global First of all, because of the planned meet- summit in Washington DC, as well as ings between NATO and Georgia. NATO’s Georgia’s participation in coalition efforts, military committee visited Georgia this is an affi rmation of our commitment and year to assess Georgia’s defense capa- contribution to global and regional secu- bilities and other projects being imple- rity. After becoming part of the Coalition, mented, in order to foster Georgia’s we undertook legislative reforms inside defense and military sector and update the country as well as institutional reforms these sectors to NATO compatibility to ensure our border security and the levels. Georgia successfully carries out added safety of the country. By doing so, the substantial package of NATO-Geor- we also helped bolster regional security. gia partnership and we are in close rela- tions with NATO-member states to HOW IS GEORGIA’S strengthen Georgia’s integration process. RELATIONSHIP WITH THE This year we are also expecting a session TRUMP ADMINISTRATION / US of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly to GOVERNMENT AT THIS POINT? take place in Georgia. This is unprecedented Fortunately, we have cultivated a very and will be attended by a US Congres- good relationship, an active one, with communication format. We have strong I got to address the UN Security Coun- and sovereignty, as well as support for sional delegation. We also expect the ses- the current US administration. I was US support, reaffi rming our territorial cil meeting while here in the open-debates assistance to Georgia’s security sector. sion to adopt a resolution supporting among the few foreign ministers to meet integrity and sovereignty, and it is involved format. The meeting was called to dis- We also had a meeting with the US Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations. with the US Secretary of State one-on- in the international format of the Geneva cuss confl ict on the European continent, Defense Secretary on the Georgia-NATO one. We discussed the history of our negotiations to achieve security guaran- where a US Envoy to the UN made a partnership progress, the ongoing pro- Link to Georgian version: http://www. 25-year bilateral relations, as well as our tees, non-use of force and an opening specifi c statement underlining US sup- grams for Georgia’s NATO integration amerikiskhma.com/a/mikheil-janelidze-inter- progression on establishing a strategic for an opportunity to return IDPs home. port for Georgia’s territorial integrity process and the development of Geor- view/3781466.html

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Mobile +995 596 56 13 13 Phone +995-322-95-96-14 Skype: SANJHA CHULHA Facebook: sanjha chulha indian restaurant mail: [email protected] Website: Sanjhachulha.ge Agmashenebeli Avenue 130, Tbilisi 0112 Georgia Delivery service areare availableavailable GEORGIA TODAY 6 POLITICS MARCH 31 - APRIL 3, 2017 Romanian Ambassador on Navy, NATO and Russian Relations INTERVIEW BY VAZHA TAVBERIDZE

eorgia is offering NATO the chance to deploy its navy in Poti port. If real- ized, this will dramatically change the power balance Gin the Black Sea basin and pose a geo- political threat to Georgia – stories like these, reported by Russian media over the last month, made Georgians scratch their collective heads – on one hand, we’d really, really love that to happen, and the recent decision at the NATO Defense Ministerial in February fueled our optimism further. After all, the Alli- ance had announced its plans to bolster Black Sea security. On the other, more sensible, hand, though, the story checked all the boxes for potential Russian dis- information and neither Georgian media nor government rushed in to explain how things really stood. IF this comes true, this basically means NATO can circumvent the 1936 Montreux Conven- lyas Ciloglu, Rector of International Black Sea University [left], with Ambassador of tion which explicitly prohibits the sta- Romania in Georgia, His Excellency Radu Horumba [right] tioning of non-Black Sea country war- of NATO is gradual and adapted in DELIVER LIQUEFIED NATURAL ships of over 15000 tonnage for more accordance to the situation on the ground. GAS FROM AZERBAIJAN TO than 21 days in Black Sea waters. To GEORGIA AND THEN, VIA THE clarify, GEORGIA TODAY and Panorama GIVEN OUR RATHER LIMITED BLACK SEA, TO ROMANIA AND Talk Show contacted the Ambassador NAVAL POTENTIAL, WHAT OTHER EUROPEAN STATES? of Romania in Georgia, His Excellency WINDOWS FOR PARTNERSHIP This is why we are interested in having Radu Horumba, to talk about the exist- EXIST BETWEEN GEORGIA a stable situation in Georgia and the ing situation. The interview was made AND NATO, AND BETWEEN Black Sea, in order to ensure and guar- possible courtesy of the International GEORGIA AND ROMANIA? antee unhindered freedom of trade move- Black Sea University, students of which WHAT CAN GEORGIANS OFFER? ment and navigation. As for the AGRI eagerly joined the interview as its fi rst- Why do we need a naval presence in the project, it’s not just an issue of strategic hand audience and supplied many a Black Sea? Because we need stability. thinking; it’s fi rst of all an issue of com- challenging question to the Ambassador, And stability is important for Georgia, mercial interest. For the moment, we who opened the discussion by congrat- for the transport and energy corridors have discussed the feasibility study that ulating Georgia with the recent EU visa that cross Georgia. There is an increase was done – and this discussion continues liberalization. of commodities trade and economic at the governmental level. We’ll soon see “I would like to use this opportunity connections between Europe and the the continuation. Also, keep in mind that to congratulate the Georgian people and Far East, especially China; there is inter- the price of oil, to which the gas price is the Government of Georgia with the est in developing transport corridors for connected, is lower today, compared to entry into force of the EU-Georgia visa freight, and the shortest route passes years ago. Therefore, some of the calcu- liberalization agreement. This is a fan- through Georgia. From the Georgian lations have to be revised to see if it is tastic advantage and I felt it personally ports, cargo goes to other Black Sea ports still feasible. You have to look at the when visa liberalization was allowed for and further on, to Central and Western developments in the region and look us in 2001, before we joined the EU as a Europe. We are also interested in that, very carefully into the capacity of the full-fl edged member state 10 years ago. because Constanta is the largest port in suppliers and the demand of the buyers. For many of us, it was a great opportu- the Black Sea and is connected directly nity to better know Europe, European to the Danube. The energy corridors EIGHT YEARS SINCE THE citizens and other places. Georgia’s visa matter, too. Most of the pipelines com- BUCHAREST NATO SUMMIT, AT liberalization is a milestone, not the end ing from the Caspian Sea to Europe and WHICH GEORGIA WAS GIVEN A of the road, for Georgia’s European aspi- the Mediterranean Sea cross Georgia- PROMISE OF EVENTUAL NATO rations. There will be different dynam- the South Caucasus gas pipeline will be MEMBERSHIP, AND ONE MAJOR ics of implementing reforms, and some continued by the so-called TANAP pipe- CONFLICT LATER, WHAT ROLE will not be easy, speaking from our own line to the border of Turkey and further DO YOU THINK THE PROMISE experience. These dynamics need fur- to Europe. There is also the oil Baku- PLAYS IN RELATIONS BETWEEN ther support from the entire Georgian Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, which has been GEORGIA AND RUSSIA? population. operating for several years now. 2008 was indeed a hugely important moment, with NATO deciding to con- THE NATO’S BLACK SEA UNREALISTIC AS IT MAY tinue its open-doors policy for countries ANNOUNCEMENT MADE SOUND, IF NATO WERE TO wishing to join. Of course, this was prob- THIS REGION SOMEWHAT BUILD A MILITARY BASE IN ably one of the reasons why warning LESS PREDICTABLE – HOW POTI, WOULDN’T THIS ACTION lights went off for some in Moscow. Why? DO YOU SEE THE CURRENT PROVOKE THE KREMLIN? Because not everybody in the “near POWER BALANCE IN THE There are no NATO military bases in abroad” was happy to remain under the BLACK SEA BASIN? Poti and it is not planned to have such infl uence of a certain regime which was Since 2014, following the illegal annexa- a military base. I agree, it would poten- historically too connected, by its ideol- tion by Russia of the Crimean peninsula, tially raise tensions in the region, and as ogy and attitude, to an old regime, which we are witnessing permanent, constant I said before, the NATO reaction is an was a prison for people like Georgians, degradation of security and stability in adaptive response to what Russia does. and not just them. So, this invitation the Black Sea area. This is the reaction It is not something we want to overreact might have been one of the reasons that all NATO members had towards to, so let’s keep it real: NATO is reacting, behind what happened in August 2008. what Russia was and is doing, and not and Georgia is also coordinating its reac- However, the decision made at the Bucha- only in the Black Sea, but also in the tions according to what Russia does in rest NATO Summit still stands. At the Baltic Sea, because we have three NATO- the region. Warsaw NATO Summit, the policy of member Baltic countries which, unlike open doors was stated and re-stated Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey, have a WHAT’S THE STATE OF THE again. And to conclude, let me bring in direct border with Russia. And we see AGRI (AZERBAIJAN-GEORGIA- the case of Montenegro. It was one of military build-up in this area as well. So ROMANIA INTERCONNECTOR) the old candidates, and it was received this is why I’m saying that the reaction PROJECT THAT IS SUPPOSED TO as a NATO member. The system works. GEORGIA TODAY MARCH 31 - APRIL 3, 2017 POLITICS 7 Eenie, Meenie, Miney Mayor

(UNM) in the upcoming electoral wars. longer without alternative, I doubt that OP-ED BY ZAZA JGARKAVA Aleko Elisashvili from the Tbilisi City the new city Mayor will be a candidate Assembly is said to be Kaladze’s main from either of the parties. If Elisashvili rival. Allegedly the Republicans and Free raises himself as an independent candi- eorgian Dream (GD) is in Democrats will raise the candidacy of the date, more votes for him will be guaran- disarray. Who will be the former together. Elisashvili confi rms that teed,” says expert Gia Khukhashvili, add- governmental candidate in he will take part in the Mayoral elections, ing that if GD and UNM candidates face the Mayor’s election? Famous however, he does not approve or reject each other in these elections, the chances Levan Gachechiladze or rumors that the said political parties will of winning will be much less for the latter. Ginfl uential Kakha Kaladze? Levan, aka raise his candidacy. Yet, he does claim to Analyst Vakhtang Dzabiradze predicts Grechikha (buckwheat), is protected by have received offers from some political that the elections will be both challeng- Prime Minister Kvirikashvili, while Vice parties. The UNM is getting ready for ing and extremely important. “GD and Premier Kaladze is under the wing of the the elections and have spread infor- its candidate will be the favorite, at least parliamentary beau monde. These circum- mation that they will participate in because they own the governmental stances make the choice even harder, the elections together with those nine mechanisms and have good fi nancial though Georgian media insists that all is political parties who united to protect resources. Nevertheless, this won’t be already decided and the GD elite will not Rustavi 2 TV, and that the negotia- enough for them to win the fi rst round face the necessity of having to make the tions in this regards have already of elections,” he says. As such, it is vital decision anymore. Premier Kvirikash- begun, with Nika Melia marked for hard to predict whether the govern- vili is said to be being prepared by outer their likely candidate. European Geor- ment will lose the race or not. powers to leave offi ce and will probably gia will also raise their own candidate, The main problem today is the be sent for ‘retirement’ by the end of May. most likely Irakli Abesadze. Despite arrangement of self-governing institu- It is also said at the State Chancellery that the ambitions of both branches of the tions, as the political and administrative Giorgi Gakharia or Dimitry Kumsishvili former government, the will to defeat positions are mixed together. Remember will take his position. Therefore, there will the Georgian Dream is so strong that it Narmania used to say that we should be no alternative for the infl uential Vice is quite possible that Elisashvili will become vote for him because he is a good man- Premier Kaladze anymore. the mutual candidate representing the ager? Well, being a good manager proved Despite the fact that Mr. Kaladze is whole oppositional spectrum. insuffi cient; fi rst of all, the Mayor should uncontested within his own political party, Political experts predict that real chances be a good politician and have the trust of these elections will be nothing like a pleas- for winning the Tbilisi Mayoral elections the citizens. As the political leader, he ant walk for him. Quite the opposite, as are on the side of an independent candi- should be able to convince citizens and the voting might even become fatal for the date because neither the GD nor the UNM achieve the priority objectives. Mr. Elisash- mighty Vice Premier. The political devel- have the support of the population any- vili is better in these qualities than Mr. opments suggest that for the fi rst time an more. “The local electorate is unsatisfi ed Kaladze, but the question is if these will independent candidate will substitute one by the work of both current and previous prove enough for him to win the elections from the United National Movement governments, therefore as these are no this autumn. Russia to Connect Belarus with the Sea and "Cut off" the Baltic States

BY DIMITRI DOLABERIDZE

n the event of an attack on the Suwalki corridor, Russia in one swoop will provide land commu- nication with the Kaliningrad region and cut off the Baltic States Ifrom the main territory of NATO, the Polish edition of ONET cautions. How- ever, while there is still no such danger, “this 70-kilometer stretch of territory of Poland must be urgently strengthened,” advises the author, Polish journalist Przemyslaw Henzel. Experts fear that this strategically important region is a potential place for a Russian land invasion, the result of which may be the emergence of a "bridge" between Kaliningrad and Belarus, as well as the separation of the Baltic States from the rest of NATO territory. In the context of this theoretical scenario, the issue of the so-called Fulda Corridor of the Cold War times reappears. "The Suwalk isthmus is the biggest breakdown of NATO in recent weeks," the author notes. “Having a length of 70 kilometers along the Polish-Lithuanian border near the city of Suwalki, and located between the Kaliningrad region and Belarus, it is of great importance for the eastern fl ank,” the author says. This region provides a ground connection with the Baltic countries. And, using this very road, if necessary, other states of the alliance would be able to support Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. General Frederick Hodges, Commander of the US Armed Forces in Europe, does not hide his fears. In early October he drew attention to the potential risk associated with this part of NATO territory. This ques- tion was written not only by Western media, would also separate the Baltic States be related to two practical issues - the General Hodges, during a visit to the acknowledged. but also by the Daily Times in Pakistan. from the rest of the alliance's territory. military strengthening the eastern fl ank Pentagon last week, stressed that they There are already serious concerns The worry of the US military is the “In such a scenario, rendering assistance of NATO, as well as the possible plans had not been warned and there were no about whether NATO is able to react so result of fears that a possible seizure of to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia by other of Poland for its north-eastern border”. observers from the West. quickly to prevent a possible seizure of this region by Russians would not only NATO states by land would be impos- The military alliances are concerned "We learn about them only when they the Suwalki corridor by Russian military lead to the creation of a land bridge con- sible,” Henzel says. “While the debate about the exercises being organized by are conducted. This is a threat and a forces, for example, those who partici- necting Kaliningrad and Belarus, but on this topic is still theoretical, it should Russia in the vicinity of the Baltic States. cause for concern," the Commander pated in the exercises. GEORGIA TODAY 8 BUSINESS MARCH 31 - APRIL 3, 2017 Address by JSC Tbilisi Tobacco Oettinger - N1 Workers to NGOs and Business Bavarian Beer Ombudsman BY JSC TBILISI TOBACCO WORKERS

bilisi Tobacco JSC is a Geor- in Georgia gian enterprise that manu- factures Georgian products of domestic raw materials. The enterprise and related Tunits employ more than 700 persons. Regretfully, artifi cial problems have been created in relation to our company. Moreover, in the course of time the threat Asly, seller of low-quality chicken hams, society has turned a blind eye to these of job loss grows, and this is the result who protects dishonest tobacco import- so-called businessmen and their sup- of an indifference of opinion towards ers, members of the International Cham- porters, who try to destroy Georgian national production that has continued ber of Commerce (ICC), were particularly production. for many years. confusing. Namely, he said that he would We hope the Ombudsman's Offi ce and Our trade was developed in Georgia not let domestic businesses extort NGO sector will provide a real assess- in ancient times. Naturally, we cannot fi nances from foreign business. Who ment of the existing situation, give valu- compare our production to world brands extorts money from whom? Who robs able and healthy recommendations to today, but we always occupied a signifi - whom and who persecutes others? persecutors of Georgian domestic pro- cant segment of the Georgian market. Naturally, he knows everything very duction and express their own position. In 2013, the ratio of Georgian tobacco well, but Mr. Asly is trying to make loud We welcome all foreign investors who products on the market was 35% and this statements to conceal criminal schemes put money into Georgia, create new job acted as a guarantee for our job welfare. applied against Georgian tobacco pro- places and promote the country, but However, criminal activity and the duction. those who fi ght against Georgian pro- machinations of immoral foreign import- It is not even ridiculous any more, when duction and threaten to leave us unem- ers have narrowed this ratio to 6%. They Fady Asly, barnstormer, classic face of ployed and destine us for hunger should used to apply restricted mechanisms and dishonest newcomer businessman, dares not be accepted in Georgia. inadmissible methods, sell imported to blackmail the government, insult our We do not ask for privileges or protec- products at dumping prices and employ court system and issue an ultimatum to tion, we simply request equal conditions, he spring arrived and drink- is the most consumed Bavarian beer. other illegal schemes. As a result, they the country. justice, honest competition and the rule ing beer became far more Now it can be enjoyed by Georgian beer have led our production to the brink of The position of politicians and non- of law. pleasant in a warm weather. fans as well. destruction and we are threatened with governmental organizations bribed by We cannot wait anymore. Starting today Beer fans traditionally are Unique combination of light color malt, unemployment and life on the street. them is not surprising anymore. We will we will defend our jobs ourselves. We expecting novelties. The aromatic hop and soft water creates We, the workers of this plant, have lived expose all of them, who, supported by plan to arrange a strike committee to start Tfi rst one this year is Oettinger. transparent, golden liquid, which along as a family for many generations and we Fady Asly, attack domestic production, active protest in compliance with legisla- Oettinger, a real Bavarian Beer has been with various fl avors bears higher than do not plan to sacrifi ce the future of our real economic growth and our job security. tion with the aim to protect our rights. brewed since 1731 with strict observance average bitterness. children because of these scamming We address the NGO sector and Busi- We are sure Georgian society will share of the German Beer Purity Law. The his- businessmen. ness Ombudsman's Offi ce – it is incom- our position and contradict everybody tory proved that in Germany Oettinger Enjoy it! Impudent tatements made by Fady prehensible and unacceptable for us that who threatens Georgian production.

GEORGIA TODAY 10 BUSINESS MARCH 31 - APRIL 3, 2017 Microsoft Georgia Presents Cloud Technology Strategy using this technology, the transactions BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI will be listed on a block chain platform, available for you to use everywhere in the world, not just in Georgia,” Urumash- t a meeting with media vili said, adding that implementing smart representatives held on contracts are considered the next step March 23 in Rooms Hotel for block chain technology in Georgia Tbilisi, Microsoft Georgia Highlighted several times during the introduced Microsoft’s new discussion was that, compared to previous Astrategy, the Microsoft Cloud digital years, Georgia has made considerable platform, and the advantages it offers progress in technology development, and customers, business organizations and although the problem of qualifi ed person- the business sphere in general, world- nel still exists, the change is visible due to wide. a number of state and private initiatives. Microsoft Cloud is considered as the Additionally, a pilot project for computer heart of Microsoft’s strategy and growth, programming learning is said to have as well as a tool for a business transfor- started in twelve schools in Tbilisi. mation, giving organizations operating “We are very actively involved with in various spheres the chance to develop the Georgian Innovations and Technol- assets and values. ogy Agency, and we’re closely collabo- Cloud technology transforms busi- rating with them, assisting start-ups with nesses worldwide, as its implementation our Cloud technologies, and also offer- and usage is growing considerably. It is ing coaching. In other words, we’re said that using Microsoft Cloud changes mixing cybernetics, physical and digital a space where all the devices and data hybrid Cloud for businesses of today actively supporting start-ups at every the work style of the individual, the place spheres- a change we see as extremely centers are connected to each other. Our and of the future. “80% of the Fortune stage, from initial idea to helping them and the way in which people run their rapid, with internet playing a vital role”. vision sees mobility and ability to access 500 companies are using Microsoft Cloud, export the product they created,” said businesses. Cloud technology enables To illustrate the paradigm that has and be linked to information from any- as it’s regarded as the best solution for Ketevan Tatoshvili, Account Executive modern IT companies to play an impor- changed entirely the modern world, where- with more personal computers large size companies and smaller start- at Microsoft Georgia. tant role in creating and implementing Doborjginidze gave the example of the and an intelligent Cloud technology.” ups,” Doborjginidze said. The vast possibilities of Microsoft business strategies. Fortune 500 member companies, “Where He named Satya Nadella, current Micro- In Georgia, according to Microsoft Cloud usage for information backup was “Digitalization may bring a lot of ben- they needed at least 20 years to become soft CEO, as the initiator of the company’s Georgia representatives, almost 85 com- emphasized during the discussion, which efi ts to society in general, while forging worth a million dollars, today, digital move towards the cloud technology. panies are using Microsoft Cloud already. then centered on the potential cyber environment protection sustainability, start-ups need only two to four years to Microsoft is investing massively in The meeting closed with a presenta- threats Georgia might be facing and pre- ensuring the creation of new employ- achieve that, meaning the structure of artifi cial intelligence development, hav- tion from fi nancier, Eprem Urumashvili ventative measures. Microsoft Georgia ment opportunities and raising the safety business has drastically changed as well. ing hired 5000 developers to work on it. on block chain technologies and the says it is cooperating with the Georgian level of our lives,” said Nikoloz Dobor- In retrospect, where oil companies were Cloud is not a “one size fi ts all” or “eve- recent private property and business Data Exchange Agency, assisting the jginidze, General Director, Microsoft among the world’s richest in 2006, ten rything or nothing” offer. The Microsoft registration project successfully initiated Georgian government to be able to Georgia. “Microsoft’s mission and vision years later, technology companies have Georgia representatives believe that together with the National Agency of address possible cyber threats in a timely is to empower every person and every become the key players at the top of the technologies can assist us to solve a Public Registry. manner. Tatoshvili mentioned that the organization on the planet to achieve list, marking the start of the technolog- variety of problems, including Microsoft “Block Chain is a unique, safe register- government security program will be more, while elaborating on the fourth ical era,” Doborjginidze said, moving on Azure - an integrated Cloud service ing system and while registering your expanded in future, with Microsoft’s industrial revolution we’re facing today, to describe cloud technology: “Cloud is which offers global, reliable and safe business or property within the country larger participation in it ensured. FINCA Bank Celebrates Global Money Week with Children lobal Money Week is cel- of Georgia. keting Department at FINCA Bank said. ebrated in 130 countries Guided tours around FINCA Bank’s A public lecture on the importance of around the world every service centers were organized for chil- money saving was held for the students year at the end of March. dren, for them to know how the bank of the Youth Palace in Tbilisi, where Global Money Week’s pur- works and how fi nancial operations are FINCA Bank employees introduced the Gpose is to inform children and young done. Almost 1,000 children participated history of money, how fi nancial institu- people about what money is, about the in the tours. tions function and talked about the sig- importance of saving, how to become “It’s important to constantly inform nifi cance of saving. Prizes were given to an entrepreneur, and how to develop children about the nature of money, so the winners of an entertaining quiz that business skills. This year’s Global Money that they know the importance of saving, was organized during the lecture. Week’s message is Learn, Save, Earn. and to help them learn to save from a FINCA Bank continues different activi- FINCA Bank as an international fi nan- very early age. For this, we created an ties to raise awareness in fi nancial educa- cial institution is actively involved in the interactive book last year. This year we tion. Fifty FINCA Bank employees are Global Money Week celebration for the adapted the book for children with visual volunteers in the USAID and G-PriEd pro- third year now. Special brochures and impairment. An Audio Book on fi nancial ject, and for the second year already they posters were printed and distributed to education has been sent to all regions of are organizing lessons on business skills in thousands of children in all the regions Georgia,” Mariam Esebua, Head of Mar- different schools throughout Georgia. GEORGIA TODAY MARCH 31 - APRIL 3, 2017 BUSINESS 11 “Georgian Railways” Reach A Critical Crossroads create bottlenecks along the way, will be BY ERIC LIVNY, GEORGIA TO- bypassed. DAY’S SPECIAL CORRESPOND- Georgia certainly has its advantages ENT IN TEHRAN, APRIL 1, 2017 when it comes to transit from Central Asia (over the Caspian Sea) and from the Persian Gulf (via Iran) to Azerbaijan and iver Astarachay, which divides from it, across the Black Sea, to Europe. the Azerbaijani and Iranian Georgia’s location, the free trade agree- nations, is no Rubicon, and ments it possesses with Europe, Turkey its crossing over a newly and the CIS, as well as its safe and cor- constructed bridge by an ruption-free business environment can RAzerbaycan Dimir Yolları’s GE/LKZ TE33A make it an attractive choice for Asian Evolution locomotive was hardly noticed companies seeking to ship their products by Georgian media. Yet, the project has to Europe (and vice versa). immense implications for the future of A key point is this: traders will judge transportation across the Caucasus. whether to channel their goods through President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to Tehran Georgia (or not) based on time, price, on March 5, 2017 (his third visit to the service quality and reliability considera- Islamic Republic in just as many years) tions. Not based on how many days it was timed to provide him and his Iranian takes to register a business, or whether vis-à-vis Hassan Rouhani with an oppor- Georgians are a hospitable nation. And tunity to inaugurate the railway connec- when looking at these four parameters, tion between Iran and Azerbaijan – per- Georgia’s is yet not a match for the Baltic haps a small step for the two men, but a ports and the Russian railways for cargo giant leap for the 7,200km North-South to/from Central Asia and Northern China. Trade Corridor (NSTC) project connect- With the NSTC and BTBK becoming ing India’s Mumbai to Bandar Abbas (Iran’s operational in 2023, Georgian Railways only port with the ability to handle large LLC, a 100% state-owned company, will container vessels above 8,000 TEUs) and face a stark choice: to upgrade or not to further to Baku in Azerbaijan; Astrakhan, be. Moscow and St Petersburg in Russia; and Georgian Railways LLC is Georgia’s from there to northern Europe and Scan- monopoly railway operator, owning roll- dinavia. ing stock, tracks, terminals and other NSTC received a major boost in January infrastructure. In Soviet times, Georgia 2016, with the lifting of international sanc- handled over 50 million tons of freight tions on Iran. Understandably, however, and 13 million passengers annually, most Iran is not alone in its fascination with of which was transit traffi c. Today’s vol- cross-border railroad connectivity. umes are more than four times lower. NSTC is expected to provide a faster After peaking at 22-23mln in 2007/8, freight and cheaper trade connectivity between volumes on the Georgian Railways went Europe and South East Asia. Crucially, it into freefall: 14mln ton in 2015, and just will allow to bypass Georgia and the Black under 12mln in 2016. While we continued Sea for any cargo heading north from the to import in 2016, transit (down by 22% Indian Ocean. In the other direction, NSTC y/y), domestic (down 17%) and export will give Baku direct access to the Persian (down 3%) cargo suffered signifi cant Gulf via Iranian railways as an alternative losses. to Georgian Railway and Georgia’s ports Our interviews with Georgia’s major on the Black Sea. exporting companies suggest that the Moreover, while Georgia is still awaiting Georgian Railways’ uninspiring perfor- for the completion of the long-overdue mance in recent years has its root causes Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway, Turkey, not only in economic diffi culties faced by Iran and Azerbaijan have already started Georgia’s neighbors, but also in the com- planning another ambitious project con- pany’s management and pricing decisions. necting Azerbaijan to Nakhichevan and Having issued foreign currency-denom- Turkey, and further to Europe, using the inated bonds to fi nance its modernization newly constructed Marmaray tunnel under projects, the Georgian Railways board felt the Bosphorus. The new Baku-Tabriz- obliged to keep its tariffs in Swiss Francs Babak-Kars (BTBK) line will bypass so as to reduce the problem of aggregate Armenia’s Syunik province and Armenia- currency mismatch on its balance sheet. controlled Nagorno Karabakh through Yet, as the dwindling cargo fi gures tell, the Iranian territory. According to Ahmet failing to make a suffi cient adjustment to Arslan, Turkey’s minister of transport, prices at the time of a protracted economic maritime and communication, BTBK will slowdown in the region and drastic cur- have a total capacity of more than 20mln rency devaluations in Russia and Azerbai- ton cargo/year, presenting a viable alter- jan (Georgian Railways’ direct competitors native to BTK. The dual-track, fully elec- for rail freight to/from Central Asia) may trifi ed line will include 18 bridges and 7 have been not the smartest strategy. tunnels, and is expected to become fully As a result, some of the cargo originat- operational in 2023, in time for the Turk- ing in North China and Central Asia ish Republic’s 100 year anniversary. switched to the Russian Railways, which To ensure the highest quality of service became much more affordable following and eliminate corruption risks, freight the ruble’s crashing from 30 to almost 70 services over the BTBK will be operated rubles to the dollar. At the same time, road by the Swiss Federal Railways’ subsidiary transportation has become the preferred SBB Cargo, Switzerland’s market leader option for many Georgian logistics oper- in rail freight. SBB Cargo’s CEO Nicolas ators exporting over the Black Sea (through Perrin confi rmed to Georgia Today that Poti or Batumi) who indicate the Georgian it will license the Swiss railway clock’s Railways’ pricing and service quality as iconic design – a symbol of simplicity, the main motivation for doing so. reliability and precision – for use as BTBK’s * * * offi cial trademark. Given tighter competition for cargo traveling along the new Silk Road, the GEORGIAN RAILWAYS’ Georgian Railways may have to adjust its STARK CHOICES pricing and upgrade the quality of services It would be wrong to think of the new Silk it provides to both foreign and domestic Road as a simple chain that crucially clients. With the amount traffi c generally depends on each and every one of its links. in decline, the company is no longer held Today’s transportation routes form com- back by technical throughput limitations plex networks – similar to parallel electric on the mountainous Khashuri-Zestaponi circuitry – which allow to redirect cargo section. Instead, it may be constrained by and passenger fl ows through alternative its own pricing policy and service stand- routes. In the parallel circuitry reality, ards. With road and alternative rail trans- providers of transport services compete portation options becoming increasingly for their share of trade fl ows. Countries available, the Georgian Railways has to that will do well in this competition, will take some bold management decisions. attract greater volumes of traffi c and Failing to adjust in the parallel circuitry related investment. Countries that will reality is simply not an option. GEORGIA TODAY 12 SOCIETY MARCH 31 - APRIL 3, 2017 How Commercial is Commercial Media in Georgia?

of tinkering with a handsome little play- petition. The only thing I would refrain OP-ED BY NUGZAR B. RUHADZE thing, plus the potential profi ts in case from in this healthy the Georgian economy grows and fl our- process is an ishes some day so much that the televi- overly vitriolic he Georgian television mar- sion market turns from a commercial commentary on ket is both rich and poor. desert into a greenback oasis. I have ‘takeover’ of a Rich because there are more nothing else on earth to deduce from competitor’s tal- than 50 TV stations on cable this. ent. There is no here, broadcasting to just On the other hand, believe it or not, takeover! We are Ta one million viewership – I mean a mil- the Georgian media has certain capital- all in a labor mar- lion by any possible stretch. And poor istic features like taking over somebody ket within which because none of those media players else’s better media personnel, or the every single par- make a profi t, or even break even. They ‘human resources’ as modern euphemis- ticipant has his daydream about the revenues that might tic terminology would have it. This is a or her own value be worth writing home about. If only new feature of the Georgian media indus- and specifi c grav- they were real! try, and often, it is handled with a certain ity, and we are all The Georgian television industry is amount of pungency and exacerbation, interested to sell business magic. It is working perfectly the acidity being egregiously political, ourselves for as well, with myriad high-quality and attrac- heard and felt in political speeches and much as possible tive programs, using a lot of staff to pro- in occasional comments of the manage- at a given duce them, but all in vain – working for ment of media units, especially of those moment of our nothing. Why should one sweat so much who are commercially concerned, but development. over something if there is no bread-and politically engaged at the same time. In Actually, this is butter and mug of beer expected beyond my securest consideration, it must be a the only way to that ‘something’? This is a truly weird good thing that a medium of mass com- let talent be style of doing business, to say the least. munication tends to have as good a per- appreciated Shouldn’t commercial media be com- former on the air as possible, thus mak- fairly enough to mercial? I’ve written before on this curi- ing itself more attractive on the market, fi nd its deserved ous theme, although to no avail. As the although the market is still (temporarily?) niche in the highly saying has it, the dogs are barking, but impotent. Well, getting ready for future competitive market, no mat- the caravan moves on. successful leaps in business also counts, ter how prolifi c or barren that which gives the impression that it is not to avoid blunders as wisely as possible, It would not take a rocket scientist to I would say. Quoting the great Uncle Joe, market is. only the newly acquired European visa for our recent history persistently reminds make a slightly educated guess that the the cadres are key to everything. Think about this: if we never try to liberalization but also the latent prepar- us that every error made on the way of broadcast media in Georgia is used mostly As a matter of fact, the more movement play a real game on the grounds of real edness of this society to turn itself into our capitalistic and democratic develop- to political ends, plus an interesting ele- within the journalistic powerhouse the capitalism, we will always remain as a natural part of western social and ment costs us more than we can afford. ment of satisfying the personal ambition better – this probably helps the accumu- unreal as we currently are. The exchange political culture, and economic, too, for Are we not smart enough not to let the of the fi nicky owners of those white lation of experience, and also creates of talent within the media, although that matter. Hopefully, this all adds up mistakes shut us out from what seems elephants who can afford the pleasure agreeable conditions for healthy com- politically driven, is a fi ne beginning, and makes sense. What remains now is to be our better prospects? Traffi cking of Children: Council of Europe Experts Highlight Widespread Problems sive new anti-traffi cking law as well as OFFICIAL MEDIA RELEASE broadening and strengthening the man- date of the Police Offi ce for Combatting Traffi cking in Human Beings; n its latest annual report, published • Denmark has developed awareness- today, the Council of Europe’s raising campaigns and guidelines to help Group of Experts on Action against tackle labour exploitation and to support Trafficking in Human Beings police and prosecutors in anti-traffi cking (GRETA), has highlighted impor- work; Itant shortcomings in a number of Euro- • Georgia has changed its legislation pean countries related to the traffi cking to provide for social and legal assistance of children. to child victims of traffi cking and tem- The report shows that 4,361 children porary residence permits, as well as set- were identifi ed as victims of traffi cking ting up a unifi ed traffi cking database; in just 12 European countries between • The Republic of Moldova has strength- 2012 and 2015. Many others have failed ened the Permanent Secretariat of the to be detected and protected, due to gaps National Committee for Combating Traf- in the identifi cation procedures, a failure fi cking in Human Beings and commis- to appoint legal guardians and the lack sioned external evaluations of two of appropriate and secure accommoda- national anti-traffi cking action plans; tion. • Montenegro has amended its Crimi- GRETA’s report shows that, on average, nal Code to include additional forms of children represent a third of the identi- exploitation linked to traffi cking as well fi ed victims of human traffi cking, but as introducing a new law granting a there are important variations between 90-day recovery and refl ection period countries. Children are being traffi cked to victims; transnationally, as well as internally, for • Romania has further developed the different forms of exploitation including training provided to relevant profession- sexual exploitation, forced labour, domes- als, including border police, and set up tic servitude, forced begging, forced joint investigation teams with a number criminal activities and forced marriage. of other countries; GRETA highlights widespread prob- • The Slovak Republic has adopted a lems with identifying child victims of GRETA is responsible for assessing Notes workers and a specialised support struc- new procedure for identifying victims traffi cking and providing them with safe countries’ compliance with the 2005 Examples of states taking steps to ture for male victims of traffi cking; of traffi cking, with a view to enabling accommodation. Many children are not Council of Europe Convention on improve anti-trafficking legislation, • Bulgaria has introduced a new provi- their access to state-funded assistance, being given the support they are legally Action against Traffi cking in Human policy and practice in the light of GRETA sion on the non-punishment of traffi ck- as well as introducing a new provision entitled to, says GRETA, and some are Beings. recommendations include the following: ing victims for offences they were forced on the non-punishment of traffi cking still being punished for crimes they are Today’s annual report summarises • Albania has updated legislation to to commit as well as developing action victims forced to break the law; forced to commit. GRETA’s monitoring work over the last criminalise traffi cking in men and women plans in the areas of gender equality, • The United Kingdom has adopted a The report also underlines that unac- year, which has particularly focused on as well as knowingly using the services violence against children and Roma new Modern Slavery Act, consolidating companied and separated children are traffi cking in children. It also gives exam- of a victim of human traffi cking; integration; and simplifying the offences previously particularly vulnerable to traffi cking, but ples of many positive changes which the • Austria has increased the penalties for • Croatia has criminalised acts relating contained in a number of different laws, the authorities often have little or no convention has helped to bring about, traffi cking for traffi cking in human beings to travel and identity documents intended increasing the maximum sentence for information on the identifi cation of vic- as well as good practices in the area of as well as setting up a drop-in and coun- to facilitate human traffi cking; traffi cking offences and making it easier tims of traffi cking among such children. child traffi cking. selling centre for undocumented migrants • Cyprus has introduced a comprehen- to confi scate traffi ckers’ assets. GEORGIA TODAY MARCH 31 - APRIL 3, 2017 SOCIETY 13 Spelling Success: Tbilisi

panied by her English teacher (my wife) BY TONY HANMER and as one of only two fi nalist repre- sentatives of Svaneti for the National English Spelling Competition, Georgia, he had only once before in her for 2017. She had displayed a talent for carsick very easily on our winding State University. So another thing I told Lizi, when she life been to the capital, and this part of our language some years ago, mountain roads, needing frequent stops. (I don’t know why it’s not called a Spell- returned, was that she now has a whole that was fi ve years ago, when when I was still my wife’s co-teacher, They arrived just fi ne, Lali went to our ing Bee here; the use of “bee” as a get- year until next time; it’s not over yet, by she was in grade four. Things often trouncing pupils some years older fl at, and Lizi ended up in the hotel together of people with something in a long shot! would surely have changed than herself in our village school. So this where the 24 young contestants from common goes back to 19th century USA, Some of those words on the lists, to be Smuch, both for her and the city, in those was, in a way, a natural result of that. grades 9 to 12 in two age groups would with the fi rst national spelling bee win- honest, I wasn’t sure of the pronuncia- years. She is most fortunate to be an easy stay for the event. First would be a ner there being an eleven year old boy, tion of myself, and I’m virtually a bib- Lizi Gerliani was back, this time accom- traveler like me, as some people get rehearsal, then the real thing, at the way back in 1925. There’s a rather good liovore… but we did what we could to fi lm based on the wonderful novel Bee help Lizi prepare, then let her go. Season by Myla Goldberg, about an She enjoyed herself, had some hotel unraveling Jewish-American family luxury, got to see some of the shiny new whose young girl, formerly in the “slow” lit-up Tbilisi, as well as escaping for a class, also shows promise as a speller. few days the comparative drudgery of Her father is rather a mysticist, and dives farm life in a Svan village and making with her into the Kaballah to help her some new friends. And she saw what prepare for the National Bee. She gets the spelling competition is, and will be in over her head, but I won’t spoil the like in 2018. I’m delighted with her pro- rest. Suffi ce it to say that no such thing gress, which apparently is giving her happened with Lizi. The fi lm even has new inspiration in some of her other Richard Gere as the father! But the book school subjects as well. I expect to see is even better, in my opinion.) her back with a vengeance twelve months As I made a point of telling her before from now. she left, Lizi was already a winner in all our eyes. She didn’t win in Tbilisi, but Tony Hanmer has lived in Georgia since the competition was very strong, with 1999, in Svaneti since 2007, and been a some contestants practically using Eng- weekly writer for GT since early 2011. He lish like a mother tongue. The couple of runs the “Svaneti Renaissance” Facebook thousand words which she pored and group, now with over 1350 members, at agonized over daily in the couple of www.facebook.com/groups/SvanetiRenais- months she had from receiving them by sance/ email up to the date of the event aren’t He and his wife also run their own guest house wasted. Indeed, this year’s winner had in Etseri: placed second last year, and returned. www.facebook.com/hanmer.house.svaneti Specialized Family-Type Service Established Thinking out of the Box: The Annual for Disabled Children in Kutaisi Public Speaking Competition from ESU far with both language and ability to BY KATIE RUTH DAVIES new Specialized Family- communicate. Type Service for Children The winners were: 1st place: Tatia with Severe Disabilities has Kakhetelidze, with the title: “Back to my been established in Kutaisi his week the British Corner, desk." Tatia is a schoolgirl from Khashuri by the Ministry of Labor, Vake Park, hosted the who says she learned English from watch- AHealth and Social Affairs with the sup- annual English Speaking ing movies. port of USAID and UNICEF. Union’s Public Speaking 2nd place: Akaki Makatsaria, with the US Ambassador Ian Kelly; Minister of Competition which saw ten title: "Box". Labor, Health and Social Affairs David Tyoung Georgian English-speakers brav- 3rd place: Irakli Chkhikvadze, with the Sergeenko; USAID Mission Director, ing the stage before an audience of experts title: "Human-a limited creature or a Douglas Ball; and UNICEF Representa- and fellow students. labyrinth". tive in Georgia, Laila Omar Gad visited The aim of the English Speaking Union The winner will go to London to take Kutaisi to open the new service. (ESU) is to promote friendship and part at the ESU International Public The Specialized Family-Type Service understanding through the English lan- Speaking Competition in May. is the fi rst unit in Georgia with commu- guage. The Public Speaking Competition The ESU was set up in London in 1918 nity-based care for young children with is one of its most successful projects, as an independent, non-political, non- severe and profound disabilities and with 40,000 youth from over 60 coun- governmental, educational charity. The health problems. tries taking part in the Final in London- Patron of the ESU is Queen Elizabeth II, Within this service, children transferred up from just three when the project was the President - HRH The Princess Anne. from large state-run institutions receive started in 1981 (Great Britain, the USA One of the ESU’s fi rst chairmen was Sir 24-hour nursing care, physical rehabili- and Australia). Winston Churchill. Georgia joined the tation, and community integration ser- Georgia has participated for 20 years ESU in 1998 and is supported by the vices. and has so far sent 34 youngsters aged British Embassy. The Specialized Family-Type Service between 16 and 20 to speak at the Finals. for Children with Severe Disabilities is The jury members were the UK Ambas- established with the support of USAID’s Source: LifeMattersMedia sador to Georgia, Justin McKenzie Smith; $1million 5-year Protection of Children Within the framework of the USAID allow the government to expand the Irakli Gulauri and his wife, and Archil with Disabilities project, implemented supported project, UNICEF has been alternative services for children with Gachechiladze, Deputy Director of the by UNICEF since 2015. The goal of the assisting the Georgian government in disabilities to gradually replace the model Bank of Georgia. project is to ensure that infants and young rehabilitating and equipping the build- of institutional care for these children. Aiming to inform persuade, entertain children grow in a family environment ing, developing standards of care, train- The opening of another specialized ser- to inspire the audience, the ten young and receive services necessary for their ing of professionals like nurses and social vice in Tbilisi is planned for the end of speakers conveyed their opinions in a individual developmental needs. A local workers who will work with the children, 2017. Several more similar services need variety of styles, from personal accounts NGO, Breath Foundation, donated a and linking the service with healthcare to be established to have the children to lectures and jokes. Some were clearly building for the Service in Kutaisi and clinics and the Social Service Agency in with disabilities remaining in large insti- nervous; others were notably at home will manage it with Ministry of Health Kutaisi. tutions transferred to a family-type envi- on the stage; all were admirable for their funding and regulations. The establishment of such services will ronment. strength of character to have come so GEORGIA TODAY 14 SOCIETY MARCH 31 - APRIL 3, 2017 Continuing Professional Development, Teaching for Success Conference Held

conference held on March sionally. It helped me to be more modern 25 presented the British as a teacher. It means that I started think- Council and St. George ing more in-depth about my classes. I’m International School joint in the constant process of searching. Teaching for Success (TfS) Being a teacher means you have to always Aprogram to teachers of other subjects develop and move ahead,” said teacher and parents, as well as English language Sophio Gurgenidze. teachers and administration represent- In the second part of the conference, atives of the private education sector. a variety of practical ‘How To’ Sessions The Teaching for Success approach were conducted for English language follows the principles of effective con- teachers. tinuing professional development (CPD). “Within the framework of the confer- CPD is a planned, continuous and life- ence, English language teachers had an long process. Teachers develop their opportunity to work with British experts personal and professional qualities, and and be involved in different activities improve their knowledge, skills and after which they could implement new, practice. This leads to improvements in innovative approaches in the teaching their performance as teachers, the out- practice,” said Zaza Purtseladze, Direc- comes for their learners, benefi ts for tor of British Council Georgia. their schools, and the teacher’s own confi dence and autonomy as a profes- sional. This process requires the teacher to change habits, experiment with new methods and fi nd solutions to the chal- lenges that developing their teaching presents. TfS leads the teacher towards being an expert who takes full respon- sibility for their own professional devel- opment, and is committed to continuous learning, practice and refl ection. teachers who have been involved in the to get acquainted with methodological activities and by simply networking During the fi rst part of the event, ple- developmental program and eagerly novelties, which of course showed in the throughout the day. All this raised their nary speakers talked about key features shared with the conference guests what students’ success: they became more awareness of up-to-date, effective meth- of the Teaching for Success approach, they had done over the months of being motivated and more active during the ods recommended to make their teach- CPD concept, and implementation tools. involved in the project. classes,” said Maka Makharoblidze, Direc- ing process more productive and enjoy- The audience had an opportunity to hear “Teachers had a chance to diversify tor of the St. George International School. able for learners, as well as for the about the joint program outcomes as their teaching practice, to become more The invited teachers took away some teachers themselves. well as real life case studies from English confi dent in the teaching process, and useful tips by attending the planned “This training helped me a lot profes- Innovative Reforms to Increase Education Quality in Georgia From Aleksandre Jejelava’s Article published in The Economist’s World 2017 Georgian edition

ties with state fi nancing, although getting will have access to modern science- TRANSLATED BY higher education in Georgian and English electronic bases and, in order to improve NINO GUGUNISHVILI languages will be available in Georgia. the quality of education, scientific It’s our ambition to make Georgia a research will be integrated into the edu- leader in education in the Eastern Euro- cational process. Science-research insti- he four stage reform plan pean and CIS countries. By 2020, Geor- tutions and scientists will have access initiated by the Government gia expects to have the status of Regional to science infrastructure, bringing them of Georgia foresees educa- Center for Higher Education. With con- new possibilities of scientifi c develop- tion as one of its top pri- sultations held between state organiza- ment. More Georgian scientists and orities, meaning revolution- tions, a package of legislative changes professors will participate in exchange Tary changes to be applied in the will be carried out enabling foreign programs. Programs to support young secondary, higher, science and profes- citizens to obtain student visas and other Georgian scientists and those working sional education spheres. The reforms necessary documentation in Georgia abroad will be launched. A united sci- to be realized by the Ministry of Educa- through a simplifi ed procedure. An entifi c - informational system will be tion and Science of Georgia are set within internet portal will be launched with all created where all the works from scien- both short and long term perspectives necessary information available for stu- tists and professors, their researches and and aim for the professional self-reali- dents who intend to come to our coun- achievements, will be stored. zation of individuals, notwithstanding try to study. Foreign students will have University and scientifi c projects will their age, nationality or religion. a chance to study 1+4 BA programs in be fi nanced. Collaboration with Horizon The short term perspective changes the Georgian language. Those who 2020 and different international founda- planned by the Ministry of Education express their willingness to study in tions will deepen and continue. Young and Science of Georgia are ongoing, and Georgia will receive stipends. inventors and scientists will have an we think that by the end of 2017, as a of private tutors. To achieve that goal, forms through art lessons. After the revolutionary dual education opportunity to present their discoveries result of improving services, the motiva- school text books will be improved both Due to cultural specifi cs and history, implementation, there will be more in commercially interesting proposals. tion of both teachers and students will in terms of their content and technical- every country has its own literary heroes reforms carried out in the professional As I mentioned, these are just few of the be up. There will be free lessons in ity, new resources will be used, as will loved by children and which play a cru- education sphere. Apart from professional plans. In order to make the Georgian schools, oriented towards developing electronic text books. cial role in their development, their way colleges in the regions, new programs language accessible for national minor- analytical, critical, logical and creative With the diverse non-class programs of thinking and vision. Unfortunately, complying with employment market ities and foreigners, electronic study thinking in students. At the same time, and activities, school life will become after the demise of the Soviet Union, needs will be launched. The list of pro- methods are to be implemented. The educational services for individuals left much more interesting. Through imple- there were no new heroes added to fessions will become more diverse and Ministry of Education and Science offers behind in schools will be set. School menting free lessons, distance learning Georgian children’s resources. It is vital the same goes for innovative approaches. Georgian language courses in a non-stop management will be improved, work and other methods, schools will have for modern children and teens to have The different study programs in col- regime for anyone interested, fully related study programs will be taught in more possibilities to use more alterna- new heroes whose patriotism, friend- leges will be tailored to the needs of fi nanced by the State, while, for the rais- professional colleges, the number of tive approaches, whereas teachers will ship, diligence and loyalty will be repli- individuals of all age groups, offering ing of awareness on the Abkhaz culture, foreign students willing to acquire an have more room for their professional cated by them. In this form, attention students a chance to continue secondary educational resources are to be prepared education in Georgia will rise, the work self- realization. will be paid to the skills that are impor- or higher education while studying at and offered. of research institutions will be better Schools will be divided in accordance tant for the development of a system of college simultaneously. There will be a Together with international partners, and all this I just the tip of the iceberg to their conditions and needs into small values in children from a very early age. change in legislation: within professional a world class electronic study platform of our planned reforms. and leading categories. Programs to sup- There are also signifi cant novelties education, a student will be able to obtain will be launched and implemented at In terms of general education, school port private schools will also be launched. planned in the higher education sphere. a full cycle general education with the every stage of education. School children programs will be aligned to the contem- As to secondary education, the gov- An effective system of fi nancing, oriented possibility to enter a higher educational and university students will have access porary sciences, based on the age devel- ernment takes the responsibility to make on the quality of education, will be set. institution upon fi nishing professional to high level education resources, virtual opment of school children and their sports activities popular among young The State will again fi nance those prior- college. laboratories, video lectures by distin- abilities. That’s why the fi rst stages of children as the best possibility for them ity professions in high demand from In terms of science, our mission is to guished teachers and professors, to the school education will be based on the to be acquainted with team-playing employers. Specialists needed in the generate new intellectual product that programs of foreign language learning, learning through play principle. The now principles, and in acquiring skills for manufacturing, production, construc- will develop the areas necessary for the and more. existing subject programs at the basic healthy living. Schools will regularly tion, business, agriculture, politics, civil, country’s economic growth. Coopera- Mobile phones, computers, virtual and and middle levels will get easier, with hold sports competitions, and phys-ed sports, arts and culture, and academic tion with leading international science mixed reality will be used for electronic schools giving enough education to stu- teachers will be retrained. At the same and science spheres will be trained. Suc- and research institutions, foundations education, which will help to deepen dents to enable them to enter higher time, school children will have a chance cessful students will be given a chance and organizations will continue and knowledge in each subject and an increase education institutions without the help to express their talents in different art to study at the world’s leading universi- deepen. Every professor and scientist of interest towards learning overall.

GEORGIA TODAY 16 SOCIETY MARCH 31 - APRIL 3, 2017 New Season of Tbilisi Fashion Week Kicks off in April

nication led by leading specialists from BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI Marangoni University and Rosa Sinaisky, a journalist working for Barneys, New York, Vogue Italia, and Elle Russia. he annual 5-day Tbilisi With the support of Georgian National Fashion Week is to start on Tourism Administration, Tbilisi Fashion April 19, organized with the Week will be featured in leading inter- support of the Ministry of national fashion magazines like Vogue Economy and Sustainable Italia, W Magazine, Dust Magazine, TDevelopment of Georgia, Ministry of Harper’s Bazaar USA, Elle.com, Fashion Culture and Monument Protection of to Max, Elle Russia, WWD Japan, WWD Georgia, and Tbilisi Municipality, with USA, China Morning Post, Men’s Uno Tbilisi Mall the general sponsor of the Hong Kong, Marie Claire France and event. Monaco, Style Sight Worldwide, Vogue Establishing the tradition of honoring Russia, NOWFASHION, British Vogue, legends of Georgian art and culture, the OFFICIEL Ukraine, Elle Ukraineand famous Georgian actress, Sophiko Chiau- www.le21eme.com. reli, will host the opening event at Wine A Tbilisi tour will be organized for the Factory N1. guests attending the fashion week by From April 20 to April 23, the Museum GNTA. of Tbilisi History (Karvasla) and Meidan The Entrepreneurship Development Group Event Spaces will host runaways, Agency of Georgia will host the group a press room and a working showroom. of buyers during the Tbilisi Fashion The organizers of Tbilisi Fashion Week Week from Harvey Nichols HONG claim that the 2017 Autumn/Winter sea- KONG, RIJOUX STORE Tel-Aviv, Con- son will have even more fashion shows cept Store PORTA 9 Russia, Al Duca from the young and talented Georgian D’acosta VENICE, United Legend Stras- designers, including Mariam Gvasalia, bourg and Joseph Store London. They LTFR, Ani Datukashvili, WOYOYO, Elene will be introduced to Georgian designer Giorgadze, ETHERE ACCESOIRES, collections. Additionally, the Entrepre- Salome Tkabladze, Atelier 27, Lasha neurship Development Agency will Jokhadze, Laboratory the Window, Giorgi introduce several Georgian companies showroom will be open for guests of that goal, expanding Georgian fashion to the organizers. Tatanashvili and others. too. It’s with the help of this agency that Tbilisi Mall until April 24. industry, transforming it into business Tbilisi Fashion Week founders decided Famous Ukrainian designer, Lara Quint, Georgian designer Mariam Gvasalia fi rst MAC will be the offi cial cosmetics and introducing it through the various to start a new project within the Geor- will be attending the fashion week again began to cooperate with Italian buyers, brand of the Tbilisi fashion week, hair- fashion media outlets internationally. gian fashion industry, offering a chance as will the London brand ZDDZ, which and clothes made by the Eurotex factory cuts will be provided by ART House. Tbilisi Fashion Week is now regarded to the young, undiscovered designers to has been featured at fashion weeks around in Georgia are now available in the shops From its foundation Tbilisi Fashion as a space that assists new, talented and have full fashion shows at Tbilisi Fashion the world. Luciano Champagne tastings of Venice, Italy. Week is aimed at supporting the ambitious young Georgian designers to Week, giving them an opportunity to will be held between shows. On April 12, a Tbilisi Fashion Week Georgian fashion industry, and dis- evolve and work both in the country and fully show their potential, get introduced This season Tbilisi Fashion Week is offi cial showroom will open in Tbilisi covering emerging talents and pro- beyond. To a large extent Georgia being to the wider public and professionals in organizing a new project called Talk with Mall’s main atrium, featuring seasonal moting them. discovered and placed on the world’s the sphere. The participants will undergo marketer.ge. Impact Hub Tbilisi will host collections presented by the modeling For the fourteen seasons of its existence, fashion map is thanks to the contribu- a strict selection process to develop their a discussion on branding and commu- studio and agency Geomodels. The the organizers believe it had achieved tions of Tbilisi Fashion Week, according collections. Vilnius Airport Welcomes First Visa-free Georgians

on his personal page of Facebook. visas to the following 22 EU member BY THEA MORRISON Georgian travelers were also greeted states: Belgium, Austria, Germany, Den- at the airport by the Mayor, Lithuanian mark, Spain, Estonia, Italy, Latvia, Lithu- Deputy Foreign Minister, and by local ania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Nether- he fi rst Georgians to arrive journalists and the Georgian Ambassa- lands, Poland, Portugal, Greece, France, at the capital of Lithuania dor to Lithuania. Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary, Finland, following via liberalization The visa-free regime with the EU took Sweden, and the Czech Republic. were welcomed at the Vil- effect on March 28, which means that Georgians can also travel without visas nius Airport with a street all Georgians holding biometric pass- to four non-EU-member states (Iceland, Tbanner installed near the airport. ports can enter the Schengen Area for Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) as The banner says - "Closer than ever” 90 days within any 180-day period for well as four Schengen candidate countries in the English and Georgian languages. vacation, business, or any other purpose (Bulgaria, Cyprus, Romania and Croatia). A photo of the banner was posted by except work. Exceptions for visa-free travel include the Vilnius Mayor Remigijus Simasius Georgians are able to travel without Ireland and the United Kingdom.

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TIFLIS KIS TARIFESI 7.5x6cm ING.indd 1 02/11/16 15:23 GEORGIA TODAY MARCH 31 - APRIL 3, 2017 CULTURE 17 Bel Canto: George Andguladze

Luna at the Teatro Comunale di Ferrara BY MAKA LOMADZE in 2009 proved to be a triumph, reveal- ing his vocal quality and artistic gift but the turning point in Andguladze’s career EORGIA TODAY met with was to be Fernando’s part in Trovatore George Andguladze, opera in Bussetto, Verdi’s hometown, in 2011. singer, representative of He has sung in Verdi’s other perfor- the splendid cast of the mances, too, such as Rigoletto, Simon recent Aida, a renowned Boccanegra, Don Carlo and Stiffelio. A Gand exceptionally young Bass who, at cascade of success stories followed. In the age of 32, has already conquered pin- Moscow, he was the honorary guest of nacles in the world opera art. the Rostropovich Society. Andguladze George Andguladze was a prodigy, has performed the part of the king in from an early age participating in Geor- Verdi’s Aida by Zeffi relli in Italy, con- gian cultural days abroad as a soloist of ducted by Marco Boemi. the Philharmonic. During one of his From the concert career, the gala con- musical trips in Kazakhstan, he met with cert held at Auditorium Ranier III is legendary Robertino Loreti at the con- worth particular note, dedicated to Rich- cert organized by the Kazakh fi rst lady, ard Straus and accompanied by the where they sang a Neapolitan song in Orchestra of Monte Carlo Philharmonic duo. “The Italian singer told me that he’d directed by Jeffrey Tate. He is very nos- listened to many little ‘Robertinos’, but talgic, which most probably helps him that I really reminded him of his child- to live inside art and remain deeply in hood and promised to visit Georgia.” love with it, in spite of his young age, Purportedly, the Italian singer kept his and stay faithful to eternal values. word. “He said that I resembled him in On March 19, George Andguladze par- everything, including the appearance,” Opera House of Georgia, where the grand I agree with him. I am really happy that started to develop just two years ago, ticipated in Messa di Requiem by G. George remembers. They sang in duo names James Brown, Robertino Loreti, I professionally met with my Georgian even though he has been singing in the Donizetti in the Mysterium Festival, several times thereafter. “The recent Katia Ricciarelli, Paata Burchuladze, colleagues for fi rst time and it happened global arena since 2011. “One of my fi rst conducted by Gianluigi Gelmetti. Aida staged by Zeffi relli was my premiere Renato Brusson, Kaludi Kaludov and in our home town. This is the incom- performances was in Parma, at Verdi’s As for future plans: L’elisir d’amore by in Tbilisi, which I treated with a great Maia Plysetskaya joined him on stage. parable sensation and energy that I got Festival, which is considered to be prob- the famous sculptor Fernando Botero sense of responsibility.” The young bass notes that even for from singing with my compatriots. ably the most prestigious festival in the will be hired again for the State Opera George started singing folk songs at him and his colleagues enjoying world Frankly speaking, Ramfi s is not my world. However, the age of 32 is very House of Georgia in which he has already the age of 6. When he was 10, he became acclaim, homeland is something incom- favorite part, but it is an important part young for a Bass singer.” participated. In April, he will sing the the youngest soloist of the Tbilisi Phil- parable. “I see many changes. First and for a bass singer and therefore, I did not Having graduated from Musical School part of Massimiliano of I Masnadieri at harmonic. As a child he performed at foremost, I see the positive changes in decline it”. (Tbilisi, Georgia) with a degree in piano, Teatro Regio di Parma, which he sang various concerts and theaters, including: people, their attitudes, something that Nowadays, the former wunderkind’s George proceeded with his studies and before and merited great appraisal in Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, in my opinion makes real changes for repertoire is multifaceted. Apart from received a master’s degree in chorus 2016 at the Verdi Festival, thanks to his Kremlin in Moscow, State Opera House the country.” He also makes a comment opera, it comprises Georgian and Rus- conducting. He graduated at the Con- musicality, art of Bel canto and thorough of Georgia and Philharmonic Hall in about the indelible Aida, staged by sian romances, as well as Neapolitan servatory of Reggio Emilia with Maestro Verdi’s style. In July, he will take part in Tbilisi, Binyanei Hauma of Jerusalem. Franco Zeffi relli that took place on songs, for which he gained a lot of awards. Mauro Trombetta and at the Accademia the concert in the New York Central Park George has shared the stage with such March 4, at the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet In 1998, Rai Uno telecasted him in the delle Voci Verdiane di Busseto. He com- and then will prepare for cooperation renowned conductors as Vladimir Minin, Theater: “I am really overwhelmed with show World Talents. At the age of 13, he pleted his education attending master- with the famous studio Decca Record Givi Azmaiparashvili and Revaz Takidze, emotions. I also talked to Daniel Oren participated in the International Festival classes with Renato Bruson, Lella Cuberli, where the part of Banco from Macbeth and performed with such orchestras as: who noted that even though he has Bravo, organized by Paata Burchuladze, Bonaldo Giaiotti and Badri Maisuradze. will be recorded. In September, he will the Orchestra of Russian Radio and Tel- conducted on all major stages of the where he was awarded as the youngest Until today, he has been distinguished perform the Inquisitor’s part in Don evision, the Orchestra of Georgian Radio world, he has rarely seen such enthu- participant. for his musicality, elegance and vocal Carlos, in Salerno Verdi Theater, con- and Television, the Orchestra of the State siasm from the public as that of Tbilisi. George tells us that his voice as a Bass talent. George’s debut in Il Mondo della ducted by Daniel Oren. 78-Year-Old Classic Writer Guram Dochanashvili Summons Us to Love the Earth & Mankind

BY MAKA LOMADZE

n March 29, the Informa- tion Center on NATO and European Union hosted the lecture of Guram Dochanashvili, famous OGeorgian classic writer. The meeting was dedicated to his 78th birthday. Guram Dochanashvili is the greatest Georgian writer alive today. His books count The First Garment – the most popular one, which is also included in the national school curriculum and was staged at the State Opera House of Geor- gia last year; The Man Who Loved Lit- erature Very Much; Youth from Tav- paravani; About Former Blind, a series of short stories, and more. This was a meeting with a young audi- ence, saturated with the same healthy humor present in his books. The author remembered one story from an earlier period. Reportedly, in those days, the books were very cheap. Writers had quite a few copies that they could distribute The lecture was interactive. To the had existed before him. Again his calm diffi cult to fi nd a title after the book is the meeting. among their relatives and friends for question which is the most precious to and kind sense of humor, full of modesty. over.” “This meeting took place within the free. Among them was Aunt Katusha the experienced author from his own Dochanashvili did not preach, however, The main virtue of the writer is the framework of the cycle ‘I, European’, to who was once left without a book. The literary creatures, he named ‘A Youth he sadly noted that bad language has honesty. He notes with sorrow that ani- talk about the literature and culture and young author got scolded by his grand- from Tavparavani’, based on Georgian been spread around far too much. He mated fi lms are very sadistic nowadays, mark his birthday. Such meetings will mother and went to the suburb of the folk poetry. The writer underscored the also underlined that real creative talent which poisons children. “As if wolves be held weekly,” Giorgi Pareshishvili, city in hopes of fi nding a copy for her. uniqueness of this genre, saying that it is always accompanied with assiduity, are the positive heroes, not the rabbits,” Deputy Director of the Information On entering the bookshop, the attendant comprises the best ode to mother. To and “one cannot live without another”. he says with a bitter laugh, noting that Center on NATO and European Union, told him that the book had sold out. “She the question which book he would rec- “However, we should not boast about the aggression in fi lms refl ects on chil- told us. was polite and encouraged me, but there ommend to readers, he named the book our talent, nor about our beauty. It has dren and youngsters which he thinks is Following the meeting, the public, which are different kinds of encouragement,” of Catholicos Patriarch Ilia the Second. nothing to do with us, as we have been not their fault at all. mainly consisted of students who were Dochanashvili remembered with a laugh. Dochanashvili voiced that everything granted it,” he noted. “I am very happy. The questions were so abundant that they could not be roomed And what do you think she said? “Don’t – music, literature and art – should serve To the question whether titles come very interesting, that fi lls me both with and whose long line wove out into the worry, I read the book! It was total stu- to make a human being better – a phrase fi rst or texts, he said: “Very often, titles joy and a grown sense of responsibility street, got the chance to get Guram Docha- pidity!” that he thought he had invented, but that come to my mind fi rst. I think it is very to the youth,” Dochanashvili said after nashvili’s books with his autograph. GEORGIA TODAY 18 CULTURE MARCH 31 - APRIL 3, 2017

WHAT’S ON IN TBILISI THEATER KATHARINA BLUM RUSTAVELI CINEMA OF FINE ARTS COLLECTION Salome Rigvava is an active Directed by Mikheil Charkviani Address: 5 Rustaveli Ave. representative of young painters. Language: Georgian Telephone: 2 55 50 00 IOSEB GRISHASHVILI Her exhibitions are organized TBILISI ZAKARIA English Subtitles www.kinoafi sha.ge TBILISI HISTORY MUSEUM abroad and after a 4-year break, for PALIASHVILI OPERA AND Start time: 20:00 - KARVASLA the fi rst time in Georgia. BALLET THEATER Ticket: 16 GEL Every Wednesday ticket: 5 GEL Address: 8 Sioni Str. Address: 25 Rustaveli Ave. March 31- April 6 Telephone: 2 98 22 81 LITERATURE MUSEUM Telephone: 2 99 04 56 MOVEMENT THEATER Address: 8 Chanturia Str. Address: 182, Aghmashenebeli Ave., GHOST IN THE SHELL March 15 – April 15 Telephone: 2 99 86 67 April 1 Mushthaid park (Info Above) THE EXHIBITION GORDA Telephone: 599 555 260 Start time: 14:10, 17:00, 19:45, 22:35 "DIFFERENTLY THAN USUAL April 4-22 D. Toradze's ballet Ticket: 9-14 GEL MODERN DESIGN AND VAKHO BUGADZE’S Choreography by Vakhtang March 31 THE POWER OF CUSTOMS PERSONAL EXHIBITION Chabukiani Premiere LIFE /ANDERS ALS IMMER. Dedicated to Oto Bagrationi. Choreographic version and staging (Info Above) ZEITGENÖSSISCHES DESIGN PERFORMANCE DON JUAN GALLERY by Nina Ananiashvili Directed by Kakha Bakuradze Start time: 16:30, 19:20 UND DIE MACHT DES Conductor: Revaz Takidze Start time: 20:00 Ticket: 10-14 GEL GEWOHNTEN" Start time: 19:00 Ticket: 15 GEL The exhibition showcases 148 THE NATIONAL GALLERY Ticket: 30 GEL SPLIT works by designers and groups Address: 11 Rustaveli Ave. CINEMA (Info Above) of designers from 47 European www.museum.ge GABRIADZE THEATER Start time: 22:00 countries. Miscellaneous projects Address: 13 Shavtelis Str. AMIRANI CINEMA Ticket: 13-14 GEL are free from infl uence: their GEORGIAN PAINTERS Telephone: 2 98 65 93 structure, function and meaning is Address: 36 Kostava Str. MUSEUM PERMANENT EXHIBITION Telephone: 2 99 99 55 perfectly comprehensible. April 6 www.kinoafi sha.ge SFUMATO GALLERY MARSHAL DE FANTIE’S GEORGIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SOVIET Address: 19 Ingorokva Str. MUSEUM SIMON OCCUPATION DIAMOND Every Wednesday ticket price: 5 Lari Telephone: 599 54 87 37 JANASHIA MUSEUM Address: 3 Sh. Rustaveli Ave. Rezo Gabriadze March 31- April 6 Directed by Rezo Gabriadze Address: 4 Rustaveli Ave. March 26 - April 1 Telephone: 2 99 80 22, 2 93 48 21 PERMANENT EXHIBITION English Subtitles GHOST IN THE SHELL RITA KHACHATURIANI’S Start time: 20:00 www.museum.ge Visitors can discover the State's SOLO EXHIBITION Directed by Rupert Sanders personal fi les of "subversive" Ticket price: 10, 15, 20 GEL Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Juliette PERMANENT EXHIBITION: Georgian public fi gures, orders to MUSIC Binoche, Rila Fukushima GEORGIAN STATE GEORGIAN ARCHAEOLOGY shoot or exile, and other artifacts Genre: Action, Crime, Drama FROM 8TH MILLENNIUM B.C. representing Soviet-era cultural PANTOMIME THEATER DJANSUG KAKHIDZE Language: English TO 4TH CENTURY A.D and political repression in Georgia. Address: 37 Rustaveli Ave. Start time: 16:30, 19:30 TBILISI CENTER FOR MUSIC Telephone: 2 99 63 14 & CULTURE Language: Russian EXHIBITION OF GEORGIAN ART PALACE Address: 125/127 Agmashenebeli Ave. Start time: 16:45, 22:15 WEAPONRY Address: 6 Kargareteli Str. April 1 Ticket: 10-14 GEL Telephone: 295 01 19 NATRVRIS KHE Telephone: 2 95 35 63 NUMISMATIC TREASURY Start time: 21:00 April 1 BEAUTY AND THE BEAST The exhibition showcases money March 31 – April 11 Ticket: 20 GEL THE CONCERT DEDICATED TO Directed by Bill Condon circulation on the territory of The exhibition Venue: 1 Melikishvili Ave., THE BIRTHDAY OF Cast: Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Georgia from the 6th century BC. MAELSTROM: FRANZ MARK, Event Hall SERGEI RACHMANINOFF Ewan McGregor to 1834. GERMAN EXPRESSIONISM AND Georgian State Choir performing Genre: Family, Fantasy, Musical MODERNISM IN GEORGIA TBILISI VASO ABASHIDZE for a mixed choir Language: Russian THE TESTAMENT OF DAVID The exhibition will showcase the ALL-NIGHT VIGIL MUSIC AND DRAMA STATE Start time: 16:30, 19:20 THE BUILDER AND THE NEW works created by Irakli Gamrekeli, Start time: 19:30 THEATER Ticket: 10-14 GEL EXHIBITS OF MEDIEVAL Kirill Zdanevich, Lado Gudiashvili, Ticket: From 5 GEL Address: 182 D.Agmashenebeli Ave. TREASURY David Kakabadze, Beno Gordeziani, Telephone: 2 34 80 90 SPLIT Petre Otskheli, Elene Akhvlediani, MOVEMENT THEATER www.musictheatre.ge Directed by M. Night Shyamalan September 27 (2016) – and other artists tell us about the Address: 182, Aghmashenebeli Ave., Cast: James McAvoy, Anya Taylor- September 22 (2017) united strong wave of theater and Mushthaid park April 1, 2 Joy, Haley Lu Richardson EXHIBITION cinema, literature and art created Telephone: 599 07 50 61 DIVORCE Genre: Horror, Thriller STONE AGE GEORGIA by the epoch of Modernism. Giorgi Eristavo Language: Russian Curator: Ketevan Kintsurashvili April 4, 6 Directed by Davit Doiashvili Start time: 19:20 MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS Exposition and graphic design: JAZZ AT MT Musical Comedy Ticket: 13-14 GEL Address: 1 Gudiashvili Str. David Janiashvili Start time: 19:00 Video and sound: Giorgi Janiashvili RESO KIKNADZE QUINTET Ticket: 8, 10 GEL LIFE EXHIBITION Free Admission Directed by Daniel Espinosa LADO GUDIASHVILI AND MOMA TBILISI Start time: 21:00 MARJANISHVILI THEATER Cast: Rebecca Ferguson, Ryan GEORGIAN MONUMENTAL Address: 27 Rustaveli Ave. Address: 5 Marjanishvli Str. Reynolds, Jake Gyllenhaal PAINTING Telephone: 2 98 60 30 April 5 Telephone: 2 95 59 66 Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller MILONGA, LA CUMPARSITA Language: Russian March 6 – April 6 April 1-30 ARGENTINE TANGO DANCE April 6 Start time: 22:20 THE EXHIBITION SALOME RIGVAVA’S PERSONAL NIGHT THE LOST HONOR OF Ticket: 13-14 GEL MASTERPIECES FROM MUSEUM EXHIBITION Start time: 20:00 Ticket: 5 GEL

TBILISI STATE CONSERVATOIRE Address: 8 Griboedov Str. Telephone: 2 93 46 24

April 1 AFTER HOURS SESSION 25th Anniversary of Georgia-Japan Diplomatic Relations & Cooperation with the Embassy of Japan in Georgia Keiko Ueda- Flute Yasuo Oshima- Oboe Hiroki Matsubara- Clarinet Yu Sekomune- Horn Hajime Shuto- Bassoon Yasuko Ukon- Piano George Babuadze- Conductor/Violin Program: F. Danzi- Wind quintet in G minor, op.56 #2 W. A. Mozart- Concerto for piano and orchestra in B fl at major #27, k.595, Adagio for violin and orchestra in E major k.261, Symphony #40 in G minor, k.550 Start time: 19:00 Ticket: 5-15 GEL

April 4 GEORGIA MODERN Ensemble of modern music Participants: Nino Zhvania, Rezo Kiknadze, Lela Mchedlidze, Shota Gogodze, Sandro Chidjavadze, Tamar Zhvania, Teimuraz Kharadze Start time: 19:00 Ticket: 5 GEL GEORGIA TODAY MARCH 31 - APRIL 3, 2017 SPORTS 19 13 International Sports Tournaments Planned by Check in Georgia

Championship; World Youth Handball Champion- BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI ship; Chess World Cup; and Women’s Volleyball European Championship Finals will be held in Georgia in 2017. eorgia is to host an unprecedented “All of this is, of course, recognition of our coun- number of international sports tour- try and of the reforms the Georgian government naments in 2017 within the Check in is making,” said Minister Khechikashvili. “Georgia Georgia project. is gaining an important place on the world sports A detailed presentation was made map and it helps the development of sports and Gby Tariel Khechikashvili, Minister of Sports and sportsmen, as well as the growth of awareness of Youth affairs of Georgia, Deputy Minister Akaki our country. Georgian sports fans will have a chance Lodia, and Ketevan Bochorishvili, Deputy Minister to see existing and future world sports stars and of Economy and Sustainable Development of Geor- enjoy their high class performances”. gia, at Tbilisi Marriott Hotel on March 29, where “Hosting international tournaments is our goal, Georgian sports federations and Judo international as sports create a positive image of the country. federation representatives gathered. These competitions will have media coverage in The Judo Grand Prix; Georgia-Lithuania Davis many countries around the world and it will of Cup Match, European Championship in Sumo, course affect Georgia’s image very positively,” World Run Wings for Life, European Champion- Bochorishvili added. ship in Wushu; European Rafting Championship; The Check in Georgia project annually brings World Youth Rugby Championship; European together a series of activities and events in the Fencing Championship; European Youth Football Presentation of Check in Georgia sports events planned cultural, sports, and business tourism spheres. St David’s College Rugby Tour to Georgia

t David’s College from North Wales are the fi rst British school to bring a rugby tour to Georgia. They have an action packed schedule beginning with their fi rst game against one of the Georgian SRugby Academy teams on Saturday April 1 at 11am at the Martkopi Rugby Ground. They will also get a chance to watch some of the Big Ten sides play on Sunday followed by their own second game on Tuesday April 4 at 4pm at the Shevardeni Stadium. The team will be housed in the National Team’s training facilities at Shevardeni and are very hon- ored to have National Coach, Milton Haig, putting them through their paces in a training session on Monday morning. Head of PE Daniel Lycett said, “this is a great local Georgian students to learn more about Brit- opportunity for the boys to experience a trip of a ain. lifetime to a country very few people travel to. We Whilst recovering between games, they will also are extremely privileged that the Georgian Rugby have time to see the sights of Tbilisi and enjoy Union has been so hospitable to us”. Georgian food, music and culture. They will also meet the British Ambassador and The tour is supported in Georgia by the Georgian hear more about the UK’s activities in Georgia, Rugby Federation, Kemsley Tours and ETI. visit Social Café and gallery Rhea’s Squirrels, which Georgians and the local expatriate community supports local, disabled children, and take part in are invited to come out and watch the rugby on a mixed Georgian and British Quiz with students Saturday and Tuesday. Any questions about the from Education and Training International, ETI, match venue should be addressed to Pam Kemsley- to help them learn more about Georgia and for Dugladze at [email protected]

PUBLISHER & GM Journalists: Website Manager: ADDRESS Reproducing material, photos George Sharashidze Tony Hanmer, Zaza Jgarkava, Tamzin Whitewood 1 Melikishvili Str. and advertisements without Maka Bibilashvili, Website Copy-Editor: Tbilisi, 0179, Georgia prior editorial permission is COMMERCIAL Dimitri Dolaberidze, Gabrielle Guerrier strictly forbidden. DEPARTMENT Maka Lomadze, Tel.: +995 32 229 59 19 The author is responsible for Layout: Commercial Director: Tim Ogden, Joseph Larsen, E: [email protected] all material. Rights of authors Misha Mchedlishvili Iva Merabishvili Vazha Tavberidze, F: GeorgiaToday are preserved. The newspaper Marketing Manager: Nugzar B. Ruhadze, Webmaster: is registered in Mtatsminda Mariam Giorgadze Nino Gugunishvili, Sergey Gevenov ADVERTISING & district court. Thea Morrison SUBSCRIPTION EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT: Circulation Managers: +995 595 279997 GEORGIA TODAY Editor-In-Chief: Photographer: David Kerdikashvili, E-mail: marketing@ Reg. # 06/4-309 Katie Ruth Davies Irakli Dolidze David Djandjgava georgiatoday.ge GEORGIA TODAY 20 SPORTS MARCH 31 - APRIL 3, 2017 Thrashing of Latvia Can’t Heal Georgia’s World Cup Wounds

Genoa – to give the Georgians a pre- BY ALASTAIR WATT cious sixth minute lead. Euphoric scenes ensued. The Georgians continued to create he emotionless expression chances, with Vako Kazaishvili forcing of Jano Ananidze’s face an unnecessarily dramatic save from after he walloped home a Stojkovic soon after. The Legia mid- spectacular goal to put fi elder then passed up a glorious oppor- Georgia four ahead against tunity to double Georgia’s lead in the LatviaT on Tuesday 28 March said it all. 34th minute, shooting wide when clean Too little, too late. through and with a teammate waiting Four days too late, to be exact. Head unmarked in the middle. coach Vladimir Weiss had called up a This proved a signifi cant turning point squad of 24 players for what was billed as the Serbs were level before half-time. a double header, concluding with a Georgian right-back Otar Kakabadze friendly against Latvia, and starting with dragged down Serbia’s Filip Kostic to a World Cup qualifi er against Serbia on concede a clear penalty kick, duly con- Friday 24 March. verted by Southampton’s Dusan Tadic. Clearly though, it was the fi rst of these That blow somewhat killed the half- encounters that would carry all of the time mood at the Dinamo and worse importance. Georgia had played well in was to follow after the interval. each of their opening four qualifi ers Although Ananidze and the returning against Austria, Ireland, Wales and Mol- Jaba Kankava did produce noteworthy dova but only had two points to show saves from Stojkovic on around the hour for their efforts. mark, the visitors, perhaps not deserv- Therefore, only victory against Serbia edly, took the lead for the fi rst time in would keep alive already slim hopes of the 64th minute courtesy of a merciless reaching a World Cup for the fi rst time fi nish from striker Alaksandar Mitrovic ever. from 20 meters. And, in front of a boisterous 30,000 Georgia huffed and puffed but without nine points with fi ve matches remain- attractive 5-0 demolition of Latvia. ond half, spectacularly dispatched from home crowd at Tbilisi’s Dinamo Arena, properly threatening an equaliser, and ing. Mission impossible, although a top Ananidze’s 18th minute penalty broke 25 meters, was followed by a free-kick it started perfectly. A suicidal backpass Serbia made sure of victory four min- three fi nish could still be within reach the deadlock after which a double from by newcomer Giorgi Arabidze to seal by Aleksandr Kolarov allowed surprise utes from the end as Tadic fed Mijat and that may have some value when it Rapid Vienna striker Giorgi Kvilitaia an emphatic, but ultimately hollow, win. starter Nika Kacharava to poke the ball Gacinovic to kill off another World Cup comes to seeding for Euro 2020 quali- gave some encouragement that he might Next up for Georgia is a friendly against past the never convincing Vladimir dream. fi cation. be Georgia’s long-awaited solution for St Kitts and Nevis before a qualifi er in Stojkovic – whose appearance once The result left Georgia trailing joint Four days later, and a signifi cantly the number nine jersey. Moldova, both to be played in early ignited a riot by his own supporters in group leaders Serbia and Ireland by smaller home crowd enjoyed a highly A second for Ananidze late in the sec- June.