Health Experts Talk About Possible COVID-19 Third Wave in Georgia

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POLITICS Health experts talk about possible

EU on the selection process of Supreme Court COVID-19 third wave in Georgia judges in Georgia

COVID-19 CASES HAVE SLOWLY STARTED INCREASING IN GEORGIA AGAIN

FULL STORY ON Page 2

ECONOIMICS/POLITICS EU and MRDI visit first results of GEL 220 million territorial development programme in Georgia’s regions

Georgian civil servants value e-learning opportunities but point out drawbacks, study says

FULL STORY ON Page 3 Experts are saying that there is some chance for the further spread of the virus

By Nika Gamtsemlidze A number of European countries have country. They are also talking about the Irakli Gharibashvili discussed the pos- already announced the spread of the Co- possible adoption of further restrictions sible third wave of Covid-19 in Georgia ears of the potential third wave vid-19 third wave with the numbers in- in the country. and said that everything should be done F increase in Georgia as the virus creased significantly in the last few weeks. Deputy Health Minister Tamar Gabu- to avoid posing harsh restrictions as well spreads further. The number of daily For the past few days, members of nia has recently stated that there are no as the virus. reported cases increased last week and the Coordinating Council, government plans of a lockdown in the country at the “We have to do everything to avoid the health experts, as well as government of- officials, and the country’s top infectious moment, however, an adequate reaction is third wave of the virus as well as harsh ficials, have started talking about the pos- disease specialists have been talking important to the updates. restrictions in the country. The only way sible third wave of Covid-19 in Georgia. about the danger of a third wave in the Recently, Georgian Prime Minister to accomplish this is to strictly follow the regulations that are in place today. This includes wearing a face mask and avoiding crowded gatherings, among others,” said Gharibashvili. Yesterday, Gabunia also talked about the decision to limit the use of the Astra- Zeneca vaccine. From now on, the vaccine will only be used for those who are above 55. As for those who have received the first dose of the vaccine, they can receive the second dose as well. The decision of the Georgian officials came after the announcement of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) con- firming a possible link between Oxford- AstraZeneca vaccine injection and cases of thromboembolism. It was concluded that thromboembolism might be a very rare side effect of the vaccine. Since the vaccine rollout in the country is not that rapid, experts say the best thing to fight against the spread of the virus is to use face masks and follow the regulations that are in place in the country right now. 761 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed yesterday which takes the total Georgian PM Gharibashvili said that everything should be done to avoid the third wave of Covid-19 in the country confirmed cases in the country to 286,406. P2 | POLITICS FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 EU on the selection process of Supreme Court judges in Georgia

The European Union’s External Action Service decried Georgia’s “hastily designed and adopted” changes to the selection process of the Supreme Court Judges.

By Natalia Kochiashvili the Venice Commission. The Eu- with its previous recommen- Court, Georgia’s highest judicial mission recommendations is also ropean Union, therefore, strongly dations. “The new rules, once instance, is composed of judges of a condition for the disbursement n April 7, the European recommends Georgia to request confirmed by the Venice Commis- utmost professional competence of the second tranche of macro- O Union responded to the as soon as possible a Venice Com- sion, need to apply equally to all and integrity. Revising the selec- financial assistance to Georgia legislative changes adopted by mission assessment on whether applicants.” tion process of Supreme Court under its current programme.” the Parliament of Georgia on the adopted amendments comply “It is crucial that the Supreme judges in line with Venice Com- Spokesperson for Foreign April 1 regarding the procedure Affairs & Security Policy of the for selecting candidates for the EU Nabila Massrali wrote on Supreme Court and submitting her Twitter: “Disappointing that them to the Parliament by the Georgia parliament hastily de- High Council of Justice. signed & adopted amendments “On April 1, the Georgian reviewing selection process of Parliament adopted legislative Supreme Court judges without amendments reviewing the selec- an inclusive consultation process. tion process of Supreme Court EU strongly recommends Geor- judges. The European Union has gia to request Venice Commission repeatedly expressed concerns assessment ASAP.” over the shortcomings in this se- Earlier, several MEPs said lection process and the applicable that the consequences of EU’s rules,” read the statement. aid could lead to disagreements While the EU welcomes the between political parties in Geor- initiative to amend the legal gia. MEPs have expressed their framework of the selection pro- concern over the failure of the cess, it also expresses disap- Georgian government and op- pointment that the Georgian position parties to agree to a Parliament hastily designed and proposal by Christian Danielson, adopted these amendments with- to resolve the political crisis. out an inclusive consultation pro- The Parliament adopted cess. We regret that previously, amendments to the Law on Com- Georgia had already amended mon Courts in the third reading. this legislation in a rushed pro- The package of bills related to cess without a timely request to the selection of candidates for or awaiting the final opinion of judges of the Supreme Court was considered by the Parliament of Friday April 9 Georgia in an expedited manner The initiators of the bill were members of the parliamentary majority: Anri Okhanashvili, Mikheil Sarjveladze, and Shalva and adopted unanimously by 86 Day Mostly cloudy Papuashvili. votes. High: 26°C Night Cloudy Low: 8°C Nino Metreveli Saturday April 10 Commercial Director Day Mostly cloudy Mariam Mchedlidze Editor-in-Chief High: 23°C Natalia Kochiashvili Executive Editor Night Rain Nino Kavelashvili Design and Layout Low: 13°C FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 ECONOMICS / POLITICS | P3

Head of Cooperation of the ria gramme for integrated territori- municipalities enabling us to July 2020. More projects will be EU Delegation to Georgia, Sigrid Video statement, video and al development is underway. We financially strengthen our insti- financed in 2021 and 2022. Brettel visited six municipali- photo materials of the visit, are currently in the first phase tutions and implement new proj- PiRDP is based on bottom- ties in Imereti and Guria to see available here. of the call for projects, resulting ects, while allowing us to further up, decentralised approach with infrastructure projects with a Additionally, see the inter- in funding of 11 projects in four develop our human capital, and the appraisal and selection for value of 2.5 million GEL. These view on PiRDP with Ms. Sigrid regions. Most importantly, the plan the integrated development funding of the municipal proj- are part of the first phase of the Brettel, Head of Cooperation, projects are directly selected of our municipalities for the well- ects carried out by Regional Government’s GEL 220 million EU Delegation to Georgia by the municipalities and are being of the population.” -says Consultative Councils (RCC) Pilot Integrated Regional De- “The EU cares about Geor- aimed at the social and economic Ioseb Khakhaleishvili, Mayor that comprise municipal Mayors velopment Grant Programme, gia’s regions. We have been development of the local popula- of Kutaisi. and Heads of Councils, as well of which GEL 186 million comes supporting the Government for tion as well as business incen- as CSOs and business commu- from EU funding. many years to develop an effec- tives.” – said Mzia Giorgobiani About PiRDP nity members as observers. The The six visited projects are tive regional development policy Deputy Minister of Regional Pilot Integrated Regional De- funding will allow the winning part of the 11 initial projects and increase the attractiveness Development and Infrastructure velopment Programme (PIRDP) municipalities to realize impor- financed by the PiRDP, which of the regions. The PiRDP pro- of Georgia for Georgia 2020-2022 is a Gov- tant projects covering various was launched in June 2020. gramme is the result of this long- “Guria has also been se- ernment programme based on areas, such as support to SMEs, They include: standing cooperation. Based on lected as a pilot region meet- EU regional development policy. improvement of key infrastruc- • Rehabilitation of the road lessons learned from the EU’s ing the latest standards of EU It aims to create a favorable ture and municipal services, and pedestrian bridge to stimu- over 50-year experience with re- regional development policy. environment for promoting bal- improvement of human capital, late local business and promote gional development, the PiRDP Accordingly, all three munici- anced and sustainable socio- education and research institu- tourism in Labajouri, Vani Mu- takes an integrated approach palities - Ozurgeti, Lanchkhuti economic development through tions, increase the quality and nicipality, Imereti looking at the big picture of local and Chokhatauri - plan to get integrated territorial develop- effectiveness of institutions, etc. • Construction of a park in development and moves deci- involved in this project next ment initiatives in four pilot re- These initiatives, in line with Sachkhere, Sachkhere munici- sion making from Tbilisi to the year. We hope that future proj- gions of Kakheti, Imereti, Guria ongoing sectoral EU-funded pro- pality, Imereti regional level. It also stimulates ects will also help improve the and Racha-Lechkhumi-Kvemo grammes and projects, will boost • Development of a tour- competition among municipali- socio-economic situation in our Svaneti. PiRDP has a budget of investment and employment in ist and business development ties to present the best ideas that region”- said Giorgi Sakhokia, 220 million GEL, of which 186 targeted regions. service center in the village of will receive funding. We can now State Representative in Guria million GEL will be provided by The development of regional Vartsikhe, Baghdati municipal- see the impact on the ground, Region. the EU. policy in Georgia is an impor- ity, Imereti and the initiatives I visited “The support provided by The programme is managed tant area of the EU-Georgia • Rehabilitation of a Public in Imereti and Guria are very the EU to Imereti region is by the Ministry of Regional cooperation under the Asso- Square in Samtredia, Samtredia promising. I had the pleasure to significant, as we have already Development and Infrastruc- ciation Agreement. The Pilot municipality, Imereti meet local authorities and was implemented the projects with a ture of Georgia (MRDI), in the Integrated Regional Develop- • Construction of 1km or road impressed with their energy and total budget of GEL 2,2 million framework of the Government ment Programme 2020-2022, along the “Tea Route” to develop ambitions for this programme. I and this year we plan to imple- Commission for Regional De- co-financed through the budget tourism in the village of Bakhvi, look forward to visiting the other ment more projects worth about velopment (GCRD). The first support scheme by the EU, was Ozurgeti municipality, Guria 5 winning initiatives under this GEL 9 million, which will be a set of grants with a total finan- approved by the Government in • Rehabilitation of 2 road first call, as well as all the other very important benefit for each cial envelope 5 million GEL December 2019. The programme bridges and 100 m long river- initiatives that will be supported municipality.”- stated Zviad were awarded to 11 municpali- follows the European model of bed wall, arrangement of 173 over the next 2 years” – says Sig- Shalamberidze, State Represen- ties Vani, Sachkhere, Tkibuli, regional development and is LED lights to develop a recre- rid Brettel, Head of Cooperation, tative in Imereti Region. Samtredia, Baghdati, Tsageri, implemented for the first time ational area in Chokhatauri, EU Delegation to Georgia. ”The PiRDP is especially Sagarejo, Telavi, Akhmeta, among the Eastern Partnership Chokhatauri municipality, Gu- “An EU-funded pilot pro- important programme for our Ozurgeti and Chokhatauri in (EaP) countries in Georgia.

Georgian civil servants value e-learning opportunities but point out drawbacks, study says

UNDP RESEARCH EXAMINES ONLINE TRAINING IN CIVIL SERVICE

net connection is available to civil servants both at work (74 percent) and home (77 percent). “The success of public agencies is defined by the qualification of employees,” said CSB Head Ekaterine Kardava. “We created a strong and flexible training system that equips Georgian civil TBILISI. 8 April 2021 – The with 1,654 civil servants from 30 were commonly mentioned as success of ongoing reforms in servants with the knowledge and pandemic is transforming work- municipalities, while a qualita- e-learning drawbacks. Respon- public administration,” said Gigi skills they need to achieve their place culture, pushing daily activi- tive part comes from analysing dents also noted that some of Bregadze, UNDP Team Leader professional goals.” ties, including on-the-job training, focus group discussions and the the training providers were not for Democratic Governance. Professional development of to an online space. Aiming to assist reports of the online training skilled in organising the engag- “Our research aims to help civil civil servants is one of the re- Georgia’s civil service in adapting sessions. ing and interactive training service and training providers quirements of Georgia’s Law on to the “new normal”, the United The study reveals that civil sessions online. When given a to identify weaknesses in the e- Civil Service (2015) that ensures Nations Development Programme servants appreciate an opportu- choice, the same 63 percent of all learning process and design an high-quality learning opportuni- (UNDP) and the UK Government nity to study online, stating that respondents opted for face-to-face effective training system that will ties for all civil servants. Even assessed the benefits and chal- it saves time and helps blend training.In phone interviews, 30 meet the needs and expectations during the pandemic lockdowns, lenges associated with e-learning professional development with percent of women respondents of civil servants.” over 1,500 civil servants benefit- opportunities for civil servants. daily duties. 63 percent of all said that e-learning is an oppor- UNDP and the UK research ted from the mandatory training The research conducted in respondents fully or partially tunity to combine work, studies examines the gaps in digital skills courses offered by accredited 2020 by the Georgian agency agreed that online training can and family duties. However, the and access to technology – com- providers. PMC Research Centre together be as effective as a face-to-face discussions in focus groups re- puters and the internet. It shows UNDP and the UK are as- with the Civil Service Bureau class, and 45 percent said that vealed that e-learning can be a that the majority of Georgian civil sisting professional training in (CSB), analysed the e-learning online training saves transporta- challenge for those civil servants, servants has access to computers civil service as part of their wider experiences of Georgian civil tion costs. mostly women, who carry a bur- at work (91 percent) and home support to Public Administration servants amidst lockdowns. Its Limited social interaction den of family care. (83 percent), as well as webcams Reform in Georgia, implemented quantitative part is based on between colleagues and difficulty “Professional development (72 percent) and microphones (75 in partnership with the CSB and the results of phone interviews concentrating on learning tasks of civil servants is vital for the percent). Stable broadband inter- other public agencies. P4 Culture & Lifestyle The Messenger FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 The 2020 Caucasus Music Awards Phoenix prize was given to the winning group from Turkey “Marsis” on April 7. “Marsis” is famous for singing in multiple languages, include Georgian and Laz. Due to the pandemic related restrictions, only the soloist of the group Korhan Ozyildiz arrived to attend the ceremony organized by Turkish Embassy. The prize was awarded by Lado Burduli, founder of “Phoenix”and H.E. Fatma Ceren Yazgan, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Georgia. Yunus Emre Turkish Cultural Center helped contacting the group regarding their visit to Tbilisi for March Award Ceremony, but since pandemic restricted musicians from traveling, the Culture Center received the prize on their behalf.