Trans-Territorial Energy Networks in Georgia, 1993-2003
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Georgia: an Emerging Governance: Problems and Prospects
Chapter 12 Georgia: An Emerging Governance: Problems and Prospects Dov Lynch Introduction Even if the Republic of Georgia has existed independently since 1992, it remains logical to discuss security sector governance as an emerging question. For much of the early 1990s, applying the notion of ‘security sector governance’ to a state at war and barely on its feet stretched the concept too far. The Georgian state embarked on a process of consolidation from 1995 onwards, initiated with the approval of a Constitution, and Georgia experienced thereafter several years of growth and relative political stability. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the main lines of security sector reform were formulated on paper, and limited changes were effected in the Ministry of Defence and the armed forces. However, as a whole, security sector reform remains an emerging concern in so far as most of the work remains ahead for the new Georgian leadership in terms of addressing a distorted legacy, clarifying the scope of problems and prioritising amongst them, sketching out a coherent programme and implementing it. Two points should be noted from the outset. The first concerns the security sector in Georgia, the number of the agents involved and the nature of their interaction. Many have argued that the notion of ‘security sector reform’ is useful in drawing attention away from more limited understandings of military reform. Traditional discussions of civil- military relations tended to focus on the dyadic relationship between civilian political structures and a professional military agency. By contrast, reforming the security sector entails a more complex 249 understanding of these two poles and adds new actors to the picture1. -
The Role of the United Nations in the Georgian-Abkhazian Conflict
The Role of the United Nations in the Georgian-Abkhazian Conflict SUSAN STEWART The Mannheim Centre for European Social Research, University of Mannheim, Germany Issue 2/2003 EUROPEAN CENTRE FOR MINORITY ISSUES (ECMI) Schiffbrücke 12 (Kompagnietor Building) D-24939 Flensburg Germany ( +49-(0)461-14 14 9-0 fax +49-(0)461-14 14 9-19 e-mail: [email protected] internet: http://www.ecmi.de The Role of the United Nations in the Georgian-Abkhazian Conflict* SUSAN STEWART The Mannheim Centre for European Social Research, University of Mannheim, Germany This article analyses UNOMIG efforts at stabilization and mediation in the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict, arguing that while progress in both realms has been slight, there is reason to conclude that stabilization attempts have been more successful than those of mediation. The author contends that difficulties in the mediation sphere can largely be attributed to UN insistence on Georgian territorial integrity and on a comprehensive settlement including continued substantial progress on the question of Abkhazia’s political status. While coordination between the CIS peacekeepers and the UN has proceeded smoothly, the multidimensional involvement of the Russian Federation has complicated the constellation of actors surrounding the conflict. Owing to these external as well as other internal factors, the author concludes that the outlook for Georgian-Abkhazian negotiations in the short to medium term appears bleak, but that the conclusions drawn from the role of the UN in the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict can be useful for understanding difficulties the UN is likely to encounter in similar interventions. I. Introduction The recent war in Iraq has again called into question the potential role of the United Nations in world affairs. -
Georgia: What Now?
GEORGIA: WHAT NOW? 3 December 2003 Europe Report N°151 Tbilisi/Brussels TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS................................................. i I. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 1 II. BACKGROUND ............................................................................................................. 2 A. HISTORY ...............................................................................................................................2 B. GEOPOLITICS ........................................................................................................................3 1. External Players .........................................................................................................4 2. Why Georgia Matters.................................................................................................5 III. WHAT LED TO THE REVOLUTION........................................................................ 6 A. ELECTIONS – FREE AND FAIR? ..............................................................................................8 B. ELECTION DAY AND AFTER ..................................................................................................9 IV. ENSURING STATE CONTINUITY .......................................................................... 12 A. STABILITY IN THE TRANSITION PERIOD ...............................................................................12 B. THE PRO-SHEVARDNADZE -
Status and Protection of Globally Threatened Species in the Caucasus
STATUS AND PROTECTION OF GLOBALLY THREATENED SPECIES IN THE CAUCASUS CEPF Biodiversity Investments in the Caucasus Hotspot 2004-2009 Edited by Nugzar Zazanashvili and David Mallon Tbilisi 2009 The contents of this book do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of CEPF, WWF, or their sponsoring organizations. Neither the CEPF, WWF nor any other entities thereof, assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, product or process disclosed in this book. Citation: Zazanashvili, N. and Mallon, D. (Editors) 2009. Status and Protection of Globally Threatened Species in the Caucasus. Tbilisi: CEPF, WWF. Contour Ltd., 232 pp. ISBN 978-9941-0-2203-6 Design and printing Contour Ltd. 8, Kargareteli st., 0164 Tbilisi, Georgia December 2009 The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) is a joint initiative of l’Agence Française de Développement, Conservation International, the Global Environment Facility, the Government of Japan, the MacArthur Foundation and the World Bank. This book shows the effort of the Caucasus NGOs, experts, scientific institutions and governmental agencies for conserving globally threatened species in the Caucasus: CEPF investments in the region made it possible for the first time to carry out simultaneous assessments of species’ populations at national and regional scales, setting up strategies and developing action plans for their survival, as well as implementation of some urgent conservation measures. Contents Foreword 7 Acknowledgments 8 Introduction CEPF Investment in the Caucasus Hotspot A. W. Tordoff, N. Zazanashvili, M. Bitsadze, K. Manvelyan, E. Askerov, V. Krever, S. Kalem, B. Avcioglu, S. Galstyan and R. Mnatsekanov 9 The Caucasus Hotspot N. -
Doing Business in Georgia: 2015 Country Commercial Guide for U.S
Doing Business in Georgia: 2015 Country Commercial Guide for U.S. Companies INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT, U.S. & FOREIGN COMMERCIAL SERVICE AND U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, 2010. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES. • Chapter 1: Doing Business In Georgia • Chapter 2: Political and Economic Environment • Chapter 3: Selling U.S. Products and Services • Chapter 4: Leading Sectors for U.S. Export and Investment • Chapter 5: Trade Regulations, Customs and Standards • Chapter 6: Investment Climate • Chapter 7: Trade and Project Financing • Chapter 8: Business Travel • Chapter 9: Contacts, Market Research and Trade Events • Chapter 10: Guide to Our Services Chapter 1: Doing Business in Georgia • Market Overview • Market Challenges • Market Opportunities • Market Entry Strategy Market Overview Return to top Market Overview Georgia is a small transitional market economy of 3.7 million people with a per capita GDP of $3,681 (2014). Georgia is located at the crossroads between Europe and Central Asia and has experienced economic growth over the past twelve years. In June 2014, Georgia signed an Association Agreement (AA) and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) with the European Union. Through reduced tariffs and the removal of technical barriers to entry, the DCFTA gives Georgian products access to over 500 million people in the EU. Reciprocally, products from the EU now enjoy easier access to the Georgian market. Following the launch of the U.S.-Georgia Strategic Partnership Commission (SPC) in 2009, the U.S. Department of State holds regular meetings with its Georgian counterparts across various working groups. One of these dialogues is the Economic, Energy, and Trade Working Group which aims to coordinate Georgia’s strategy for development in these areas and to explore ways to expand bilateral economic cooperation. -
Human Rights and Democratization in the Republic of Georgia
HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRATIZATION IN THE REPUBLIC OF GEORGIA HEARING BEFORE THE COMMISSION ON SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH CONGRESS FIRST SESSION MARCH 28, 1995 Printed for the use of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe [CSCE 104-1-3] Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.csce.gov HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRATIZATION IN THE REPUBLIC OF GEORGIA TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 1995 COMMISSION ON SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE, WASHINGTON, DC. The Commission met, pursuant to notice, at 2:10 p.m., in room 106, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC., Hon. Christopher Smith, Chairman, presiding. Commissioners Present: Hon. Christopher Smith, Chairman; Hon. Alfonse D'Amato, Co-chairman; and Hon. Frank R. Wolf, Commissioner. Witnesses: Hon. Tedo Japaridze, Dr. Eduard Gudava, Ms. Erika Dailey, and Dr. Stephen F. Jones. OPENING STATEMENT OF CHAIRMAN SMITH Chairman Smith. I want to thank all of you for coming to this hear- ing, which to my knowledge is the first hearing in the history of the U.S. Congress focused exclusively on Georgia. This is the latest in a series of Helsinki Commission hearings that examine the state of de- mocratization and human rights in individual countries and regions of the former Soviet Union. In the late 1980's, Georgians began to organize politically to undo communism and to gain independence. They lived through a very excit- ing period, although a key element in the chronicle of the liberation movement was tragic, the April 1989 killings of peaceful protesters in Tbilisi by Soviet forces. Since then, however, Georgia has endured very difficult times. -
Downloads/BCG Kvleva.Pdf)
Georgia Human Development Report 2008 The Reforms and Beyond Published for UNDP Georgia Copyright © 2008 United Nations Development Programme 9 Eristavi Street, 0179 Tbilisi, Georgia All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without permission ISBN 978-9941-0-0571-8 Editing: Caitlin Ryan Cover and layout: Dimitri Modrekelize, Contour Ltd. Printing: Calamus Graphics Studio Executive summary Team for the preparation of Georgia Human Development Report 2008 Project coordinator Viktor Baramia Lead author George Welton Co-authors Tinatin Zurabishvili and Natalia Nozadze Research assistant George Kiziria Authors of background papers Givi Kutidze, Eka Avaliani, Lasha Gotsiridze, Giorgi Berulava, Tato Urjumelashvili, Shorena Abesadze, Tinatin Zurabishvili, Vakhtang Megrelishvili, Keti Kinkladze, Nino Kizikurashvili, Giorgi Meladze. Human development advisors Andrey Ivanov and Shahrbanou Tadjbakhsh Indicators computation: Nodar Kapanadze and Mihail Peleah Georgia Human Development Report 2008 Forewords The UNDP National Human Development However, as we enter the second phase of the Report comes at an important time in Georgia’s reforms we need to be forward-looking. The relentless pursuit of enhanced economic devel- Report reminds us that the objective of these opment for all. The beginning of this administra- reforms has always been Human Development tion’s second term is an ideal time for reflection in the fullest sense. We do not only seek to pro- on what we have achieved and what we still need duce a wealthy society. We want our society to be to do. As a long-term supporter of Georgian re- democratic and participatory, educated, healthy forms, UNDP is ideally placed to engage with us and secure. -
Who Owned Georgia Eng.Pdf
By Paul Rimple This book is about the businessmen and the companies who own significant shares in broadcasting, telecommunications, advertisement, oil import and distribution, pharmaceutical, privatisation and mining sectors. Furthermore, It describes the relationship and connections between the businessmen and companies with the government. Included is the information about the connections of these businessmen and companies with the government. The book encompases the time period between 2003-2012. At the time of the writing of the book significant changes have taken place with regards to property rights in Georgia. As a result of 2012 Parliamentary elections the ruling party has lost the majority resulting in significant changes in the business ownership structure in Georgia. Those changes are included in the last chapter of this book. The project has been initiated by Transparency International Georgia. The author of the book is journalist Paul Rimple. He has been assisted by analyst Giorgi Chanturia from Transparency International Georgia. Online version of this book is available on this address: http://www.transparency.ge/ Published with the financial support of Open Society Georgia Foundation The views expressed in the report to not necessarily coincide with those of the Open Society Georgia Foundation, therefore the organisation is not responsible for the report’s content. WHO OWNED GEORGIA 2003-2012 By Paul Rimple 1 Contents INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................................3 -
Kaliningrad: a Special Area in Central-Eastern Europe
Cultural Relations Quarterly Review Winter 2014 Kaliningrad: a special area in Central-Eastern Europe Kitti Mária Tádics Abstract: The main objective of this work is to analyse in detail Kaliningrad territory, focusing on the current political situation, separation tendencies and features of the national identity. The content of the work is divided into separate parts. The ambition of the first part is to define basic facts that make this area specific in the Central and Eastern Europe. The aim of the second part is to identify significant milestones in the history of Kaliningrad that substantially shaped Kaliningrad’s contemporary political picture, particularly Kaliningrad after the Russian regime change. The thesis also emphasizes the inclination of Kaliningrad to the West and the EU instead of Russian Federation and attempts to define causes that led to this particular tendency. The author of the work also would like to concentrate on the considerable alteration of Kaliningrad since the first presidency of Vladimir Putin. The intention of the last part is to resolve Kaliningrad-EU-Moscow relations. The author concluded that most profitable policy for Kaliningrad would be to help balance these two seemingly antagonistic positions and attempt to urge Russia and the EU to adopt measures most convenient for Kaliningrad. Keywords: Kaliningrad, Russia, sovereignty, European Union, regional policy Introduction In this essay I would like to summarize the current political situation, the separation tendencies and the features of the national identity in Kaliningrad oblast. First I would like to lay out some basic statements regarding to the area: 1. Kaliningrad oblast is a small Russian enclave which is inhabited by 1 million people and bordered by Lithuania and Poland at the coast of the Baltic Sea. -
Georgia Page 1 of 21
Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Georgia Page 1 of 21 Georgia Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2006 Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor March 6, 2007 The constitution of the Georgian republic provides for an executive branch that reports to the president, a unicameral Parliament, and an independent judiciary. The country has a population of approximately 4.4 million. In 2003 former president Shevardnadze resigned during what became known as the Rose Revolution. Mikheil Saakashvili won the presidency in 2004 with over 90 percent of the vote in an election, and his National Movement Party won a majority of seats in the Parliament. International observers determined that the 2004 presidential and parliamentary elections represented significant progress over previous elections and brought the country closer to meeting international standards, although several irregularities were noted. Civilian authorities generally maintained effective control of the security forces. The government's human rights record improved in some areas during the year, although serious problems remained. While the government took significant steps to address these problems, there were some reports of deaths due to excessive use of force by law enforcement officers, cases of torture and mistreatment of detainees, increased abuse of prisoners, impunity, continued overuse of pretrial detention for less serious offenses, worsened conditions in prisons and pretrial detention facilities, and lack of access for average citizens to defense attorneys. Other areas of concern included reports of government pressure on the judiciary and the media and - despite a substantial reduction due to reforms led by the president - corruption. -
Political Prisoners in Post- Revolutionary Georgia
After the rose, the thorns: political prisoners in post- revolutionary Georgia Article 1: All human beings are born free and equal Article 1: All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. Article 2: Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, spirit of brotherhood. Article 2: Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty. Article 3: Everyone has be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty. Article 3: Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person. Article 4: No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the the right to life, liberty and security of person. -
The Case of Mukhtar Ablyazov the Case of Tatiana Paraskevich The
www.odfoundation.eu The case of Mukhtar Ablyazov The case of Tatiana Paraskevich The case of Alma Shalabayeva The case of Muratbek Ketebayev The case of Alexandr Pavlov www.odfoundation.eu Contents 1. Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… (page 3) 2. The case of Mukhtar Ablyazov……………………………………………………………………………….. (page 7) 3. The case of Tatiana Paraskevich……………………………………………………………………………… (page 14) 4. The case of Alma Shalabayeva……………………………………………………………………………….. (page 17) 5. The case of Muratbek Ketebayev…………………………………………………………………………… (page 21) 6. The case of Alexandr Pavlov…………………………………………………………………………………… (page 23) 7. The cooperation of the intelligence services of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Ukraine and the Russian Federation and the prevalence of torture in these (page 28) countries……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 8. Examples of misuse of the Interpol system by the countries in which human rights are violated………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… (page 32) 9. Conclusions and recommendations……………………………………………………………………….. (page 35) Appendix 1. Documents relating to the cooperation between Kazakh and Italian security agencies through Interpol channels on the case of Alma Shalabayeva………….. (page 39) Appendix 2. The inquiry of the members of the Polish Sejm, Marcin Święcicki and Ligia Krajewska to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, Radosław (page 43) Sikorski, regarding the deportation of activists of political opposition to Kazakhstan… Appendix 3. The response of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland to the inquiry of the members of the Polish Sejm, Marcin Święcicki and Ligia (page 45) Krajewska…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 2 www.odfoundation.eu 1. INTRODUCTION During its 22nd annual meeting, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly expressed its regret that some OSCE participating states, seeking the arrest of opponents on politically motivated charges, continue to misuse the Interpol system.