VISIT WEBSITE & READ DAILY NEWS FEBRUARY 8, 2016 N11 yovelkvireuli orenovani gazeTi saqarTveloSi WEEKLY BILINGUAL NEWSPAPER IN GEORGIA UKRAINIAN CRISIS: THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL: DANGER OF “OPEN WAR” INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS DISCUSS STILL EXISTS IN THE COUNTRY P. 7 NATO-GEORGIA RELATIONS P. 4 They praised Georgia for its reforms and military con- GEORGIAN MINISTER FOR tribution that is much beyond the size of its country, pop- DIASPORA ISSUES ASKS FOR ulation and economic situation. However, according to the experts present, NATO needs Georgia to be a better ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO prepared and more strongly positioned aspirant to bring HELP EMIGRANTS P. 14 them closer to membership.Despite this,there is a light at the end of the tunnel.At the 2008 Bucharest Summit, IS SWINE FLU (H1N1) IN allied leaders agreed that Georgia will become a NATO member, provided it meets all necessary requirements. GEORGIA A SEASONAL VIRUS OR THE RESULT OF UNITED STATES PRESIDENTIAL THE LUGAR LABORATORY ACTIVITIES? CANDIDATES’ APPROACH TO RUSSIAN EXCLUSIVE P. 15 FEDERATION P. 5 ANOTHER AWARD FOR The main difference between the Republicans’ and “TANGERINES” AND MISHA Democrats’ foreign policy perspectives is that the lat- ter believe military involvement is the last resort after MESKHI AT THE PEAK OF peaceful methods, while the Republicans don’t put too HIS CAREER much faith in negotiations with state actors like North EXCLUSIVE P. 17 Korea, or with radical organizations, and maintain the belief that the USA should not deteriorate its status as a LITHUANIAN STUDENTS super-power. GOP (Republican) candidates blame for- HOLD EXHIBITION: mer member of Obama administration, Hilary Clinton, for not taking serious measures to eradicate ISIS actions. “ORDINARY STARS” EXCLUSIVE P. 18 2 FEBRUARY 8, 2016 WWW.OBSERVER.COM.GE NEWS THE PROJECT “NEW TIFLIS” HAS LAUNCHED The project of “New Tiflis”, which means the re- increase real estate prices in Tbilisi. Tbilisi has al- construction and rehabilitation of old districts, has ways been distinguished by the fact that there were launched today with restoration of Agmashenebeli different nations, different cultures of the people Avenue. living together. We have to keep this wealth and All of the 200 specialists – architects, historians, develop further in the future. It is important to urban planners, engineers, art historians, restorers, complete the project within the time frame- by the developers will be involved in the rehabilitation end of 2016 “, – said the Prime Minister. process, which will be implemented by new ap- The project will create a new tourist routes, rec- proaches. reational spaces, gardens, parks, which are neces- “The project is distinguished by the new ap- sary for citizens relaxing and result in improving proach – we will restore not only facades, but also the ecological situation. After the completion of the yards, we will completely renew our commu- the rehabilitation, the area will be adapted for the nications infrastructure, which will significantly people with disabilities. GEORGIAN COMPUTER GAME BECAME A WINNER OF INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION Georgian innovative game “Warlock VR” creat- “Warlock VR” is the first Georgian VR game, ed by “GameLab Iliauni” is among the winners of which is not over yet. It is created by the famous the online prestigious gaming industry competition team of developers “StormBringer Studio”. “Leap Motion 3D Jam 2.0″. “GAMELAB ILIAUNI” is the only laboratory 11 best games were revealed out of 200 online of computer and mobile games in Georgia, which games presented from all over the world. Georgian was established by “Innovation and Technology game became the second one, while Thailand got Agency” to facilitate the process of innovation and the first place. technology commercialization. SAN DIEGO UNIVERSITY LAUNCHES A NEW BACHELOR PROGRAM FOR GEORGIANS San Diego State University (SDSU) made a pres- science was presented, as well. In 2016, San Diego entation of early registration in Georgia. Students State University offers students to study computer who submit documents from February 15 to March science, computer engineering, electrical engineer- 15 at San Diego State University and successfully ing and chemistry/biochemistry in the USA and it pass the selection process, will be admitted condi- also allows them to continue their studies at SD- tionally at SDSU- and automatically receive partial SU’s California campus funding. Program Partners are Tbilisi State University, A new bachelor’s degree program in computer Ilia State University and Georgia Tech University. 3 FEBRUARY 8, 2016 WWW.OBSERVER.COM.GE POLITICS PRESIDENT’S ANNUAL REPORT HIGHLIGHTS SOCIAL PROBLEMS AND THE NEED FOR JUSTICE REFORMS TAMAR LORTKIPANIDZE President of Georgia, Giorgi the fact that small and-medium to his speech, the country needs ing, “Didgori 2015.” President Speech, Heads of the Factions Margvelashvili delivered his sized businesses only made up to continue judicial reform. He Margvelashvili emphasised that spoke in responseto the address. third annual report at Parliament 20 percent of country’s econo- expressed his vision on the re- the Euro-Atlantic integration re- The majority of parliament mem- on February 3, 2016. His speech my. He underlined several ex- form of the High Council of mains Georgia’s top priority. bers praised the comprehensive lasted 55 minutes and covered ternal factors which were behind Justice. The president noted that The president also underlined speech, stating that it covered all the majority ofcurrent important Georgia’s economic difficulties the procedures for the selection that new venture should be cre- major issued. The Chair of the issues.Prime Minister and Min- including the strengthening of of judges required more atten- ated in relations with Georgia’s Faction Georgian Dream, Giorgi ister Cabinet members were at- the US dollar, falling oil prices, tion. He has offered to make it major strategic partner, the Unit- Volski, evaluated the speech of tending the session. the global economic recession, possible to appeal the decisions ed States. He mentioned that free the President as interesting. He The president began his speech the Russia-Ukraine war and eco- of the High Council of Justice trade negotiations have already noted that there were too many by asking the other members of nomic difficulties related to po- on appointment of judges to the begun, but it is still important to interesting issues surrounding Parliament to observe a minute’s litical tension between Russia Supreme Court, whereby nine strengthen Georgia’s coopera- Georgia’s current domestic and silence to honour former prime and Turkey. seats are distributed between tion with the US.He also men- foreign challenges. The opposi- minister of Georgia and the main Margvelashvili also welcomed representatives of all three levels tioned that he expects that Geor- tion lawmakers, the United Na- architect of Georgia’s European the government’s plan to develop of courts – city courts, appeals gia’s relations with the European tional Movement criticised the Integration, Zurab Zhvania, who the economy of the state. He ex- courts and the Supreme Court. Union will move forward to the President’s speech for a lack of died 11 years ago on February 3. pressed his satisfaction with pos- President Margvelashvili un- new stage. He believes that the focus on society’s interests. In Margvelashvili assessed Geor- itive reforms; among them, the derlined the importance of the European doors will open for their opinion, the address was too gia’s achievements, the chal- “Silk Road” project and the free National Security Council of Georgian citizens in 2016. general and, despite the fact that lenges it faces and his vision for trade negotiations with China. Georgia, dealing with the mat- Margvelashvili said that Geor- the President talked a lot, he did the future of the country. During The president also emphasised ters of national security. At the gian-Russian relations are the not really say anything. Member his speech, Head of the State em- that Georgia has to make full use meetings all three branches of priority of the European policy for the party, Tariel Londaridze, phasised the political situation in of its competitive advantages. government assess the threats and these relations have to be said that the President was elect- Georgia and EU integration. He He underlined the importance of and risks affecting Georgia and represented in the context of ed but that the country is ruled by evaluated Georgia’s Euro-Atlan- available opportunities related Caucasus region. This council the European policy. According a single person - Bidzina Ivan- tic aspirations, the economic sit- to the country’s functions as a provides the elaboration of the to the President’s speech, bilat- ishvili, former Prime Minister. uation, agricultural perspectives, transit point between Europe and concept of national security and eral relations should be based on Despite the different opinions recent reforms, regional security, Asia. The President mentioned seeks to avoid or reduce risks equality, because at the expense about the President’s speech, and internal and foreign policy that the building of the Euro- and threats. The president said of occupation of Georgia, Rus- executive and legislative gov- issues. pean state is not only political, that,“risks facing our region sia cannot achieve purposes and ernments have similar outlooks The president said that 2015 but also a constitutional commit- grew further last year.” wellbeing. Currently, 20 percent regarding the directions of coun- had been tough year for Georgia ment of all political forces. The Georgia has undertaken special of Georgian territory is still oc- try’s development. They have both politically and economi- rule of law, strong democratic steps in strengthening defense ca- cupied. The Head of the State common views about the geopo- cally. Unfortunately, thepoverty institutions and protection of hu- pabilities via the NATO-Georgia also indicated that Russia’s ac- litical role and function Georgia rate still remains high and while man right are the main principles substantial package implemen- tive Soft Power applied regards has in the region.