Former MEP to Organize Speech of De Facto South Ossetian President in Brussels

Issue no: 983 • SEPTEMBER 22 - 25, 2017 • PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50 In this week’s issue... Georgia Participates in China Int’l Fair for Investment & Trade NEWS PAGE 2 Mixing Business & Politics POLITICS PAGE 4 What Happens to Ukraine Matters in Georgia POLITICS PAGE 6 FOCUS Bringing the ON THE OGP Fear Factor to CHAIRMANSHIP Georgia Georgia Succeeds France as Chair of the Open BUSINESS PAGE 9 Government Partnership PAGE 3 OK! Georgia Magazine New Editor Appointed Former MEP to Organize Speech of De SOCIETY PAGE 12 Donald Rayfi eld on Facto South Ossetian President in Brussels Researching Georgia, Literature & Politics BY THEA MORRISON CULTURE PAGE 16 ormer Member of the European Par- liament, Italian journalist and lecturer Celebrating 40 Years since Giulietto Chiessa, plans to invite de facto South Ossetian ‘president’ Ana- Chakrulo Went to Space toly Bibilov to Brussels to deliver a CULTURE PAGE 19 Fspeech and report on the so called Republic’s history and people. Chiessa announced the fact after arriving in Georgia’s Russian-backed breakaway region of South Ossetia with other members of an Italian delegation to hold an event in memory of last year’s Amatrice earthquake victims. He said he recognizes it will be diffi cult to implement his plans but that South Ossetia’s cultural representatives will visit Italy this autumn. “It will be a scandalous, fundamental event. Several MEPs are ready to back us…We will form a group of MEPs that will invite the president or foreign minister of South Ossetia,” he stated. Continued on page 3 Photo source: grandecocomero.com GEORGIA TODAY 2 NEWS SEPTEMBER 22 - 25, 2017 Georgia Participates in China Int’l Fair for Investment & Trade Georgian Foreign Minister Attends Global Business Forum Organized by Bloomberg ithin the framework ton, Canadian Prime Minister Justin of his visit to New Trudeau and the Bloomberg Founder York, the Georgian himself. Underlining the importance of Vice Premier, For- business-government co-operation in zations involved in carrying out govern- free trade regime gives us the possibility BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI eign Minister overcoming global challenges, the lat- mental programs alongside the stands of to maximize the use of those benefi ts WMikheil Janelidze, attended a global ter thanked the Georgian Vice Premier investors, exporters and winemaking directly,” Gakharia said. business forum organized by Bloomb- for his participation in the event. companies from Georgia. Georgia had honorary guest status at erg. On the sidelines of the event, Janelidze rom September 18 to 21, Geor- Georgian Winery 'Khareba' also par- this year’s fair, with a special exhibition The high-level meeting was opened also met with the Chief Executive Offi cer gia participated in the largest ticipated in the event, enabling the com- space provided and 120 Georgian com- by Bloomberg Founder and President, of MasterCard Company, Ajay Banga, International Fair for Invest- pany to establish closer business relations panies represented. Michael Bloomberg, former US Presi- who expressed his interest in Georgia’s ment and Trade in Xiamen, and enhance cooperation with the larg- “Such exhibitions assist our entrepre- dent Bill Clinton, President of the French business environment and in identify- China, with Guest of Honor est international companies. neurs to establish contacts and start Republic Emmanuel Macron and Ali- ing priority areas for co-operation. Fstatus. Led by Giorgi Gakharia, Minister “With the participation in the world’s advertising their produce quickly,” baba Founder Jack Ma. EU High Representative Federica of Economy and Sustainable Develop- largest fair for investment and trade, we Gakharia said, noting that Georgia had At the meeting, Janelidze had the Mogherini, PM Trudeau and repre- ment of Georgia, and Mariana Morgoshia, tried to make the fi rst, solid step towards the largest stand at the fair, with a vast opportunity to exchange views with sentatives of international companies Director of the Produce in Georgia Agency, integrating the Georgian economy and array of Georgian companies represent- world leaders and the heads of the large took part in thematic panels and spoke the International Fair for Investment and Georgian businesses with the Chinese ing everything from agriculture to new business companies, including Bill Clin- before attendees at the event. Trade presented Georgian State organi- economy and Chinese companies. The technologies. Georgian Parliament Approves Irakli Mekvabishvili as New Auditor General impartiality, honesty, and we think that agency, though “all qualifi ed employees BY THEA MORRISON Irakli Mekvabishvili has them all,” he will continue working as usual”. added. "The law gives me the authority to Mekvabishvili will hold the chief Audi- carry out reorganization. The Auditor he Parliament of Georgia tor’s position for a term of fi ve years, General has the right to make any per- has supported the candi- replacing Lasha Tordia, who was sonnel changes, even regarding Depu- dacy of Irakli Mekvabish- appointed in 2012 and whose term in ties,” he stressed. vili to the post of Auditor offi ce expired in July. The SAO is the supreme audit institu- General with 80 votes in After being elected, the new Auditor tion responsible for performing audits. Ta 150-seat legislative body. General stated that the State Audit Offi ce The general activities of the SAO are: Mekvabishvili’s candidacy was named (SAO) will not be a punitive agency, promoting effi cient and effective public by the Parliament Speaker of Georgia, adding its main function will be preven- spending, protection of national wealth Irakli Kobakhidze, on September 8. tion. Photo source: RFE/RL and the property of state of autonomous Kobakhidze stated that Mekvabishvili “This will not be a punitive structure, adding preventive measures require also be intensifi ed. republics and local (municipal) entities, is a highly qualifi ed fi nancier and for but if we reveal any violations, then an serious material-technical base and high “We will spend time working with and improvement of management of several years was a senior banker of the instant, strict response will be given quality equipment. Parliament, because parliamentary con- public fi nances. EBRD. “Irakli Mekvabishvili meets all and adequate assessments made,” he “For this purpose, we will use the trol should be strengthened on recom- The SAO also conducts financial the requirements necessary for the post said. best technical support we receive from mendations made by the Audit Offi ce,” monitoring of political parties within of Auditor General,” he stated. Mekvabishvili said that particular our friendly donor countries,” he he said. the competencies defi ned in The Organic “The Auditor General should have attention will be paid to the direction added, underlining that the relation- Mekvabishvili does not exclude that Law of Georgia on Election Code of such qualities as high qualifi cation, of technological equipping of the agency, ship of the SAO with Parliament will he will launch a reorganization in the Georgia and Political Union of Citizens. GEORGIA TODAY SEPTEMBER 22 - 25, 2017 NEWS 3 Georgia Offi cially Assumes OGP Chairmanship ship: to ensure the cooperation and BY THEA MORRISON engagement of citizens; to promote the fi ght against transparency and corrup- tion; to promote innovations in public eorgia officially took services; and to activate cooperation chairmanship of the Open between the OGP member states. Government Partnership “Georgia is proud to be one of the (OGP) on September 19. few countries where all branches of At the high-level event government are actively involved in G‘Rebuilding Trust in the Government,’ the open government partnership pro- held within the 72nd session of the cess. We strongly believe that a com- United Nations (UN) General Assembly prehensive approach at the national in New York, the Prime Minister of level has already contributed to the Georgia, Giorgi Kvirikashvili, received success of the country. Consequently, the OGP Chairmanship from the Pres- for the purpose of expanding the OGP's ident of France Emmanuel Macron. collective understanding, we call on Kvirikashvili stated that the OGP OGP partner countries to raise open Chairmanship and possibility to con- standards at judicial, parliamentary tribute to the global movement for and domestic levels,” Georgian PM stronger democracy and transparency stated. is an honor for Georgia. He then thanked all OGP countries “I call on you to use this and think for electing Georgia as the Chair of the together how we can revive democracy. organization. I hope we will be able to continue the “Georgia is ready to use all resources work that the French government to ensure success during its chairman- began,” he told the guests. ship. I believe that the era of globaliza- Kvirikashvili noted that the Govern- tion cannot be achieved without global ment of Georgia is determined to partnership and mutual support,” he achieve four goals during its chairman- concluded. Former MEP to Organize Speech of De Facto South Ossetian President in Brussels Continued from page 1 members fi rmly support Georgia's ter- South Ossetia. In fact, you can count on speech by the de facto South Ossetian mentioned Member of the European ritorial integrity and sovereignty,” the one hand how many countries recognize President is planned in the European Parliament. It may sound a bit rude, but Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Georgian MFA stated. the independence of South Ossetia and Parliament. former MEPs are former MEPs prob- Georgia announced they are sure that The Ambassador of the United States none of them are in the EU or near He underlined that the European Par- ably because they deserve it. Such private individuals affi liated with Russia to Georgia Ian Kelly also commented on Europe. Obviously, such a visit would liament supports Georgia's territorial behavior should not be encouraged," will not be able to use the platform of the issue, adding only few countries rec- have to be entirely unoffi cial and would integrity and sovereignty.

Load more