Opposition United National Movement Party Enters Georgian Parliament

“Impartial, Informative, Insightful” GEL 3.00

#104 (4908) TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 2021 www.messenger.com.ge

Opposition United National Movement party enters Georgian Parliament

By Veronika Malinboym numerous occasions that the reason why political agreement, which is the basis for many priorities. This is important work the party refuses to sign the agreement consensus for ending the political crisis.” that needs the responsible participation of eorgia’s major opposition United proposed by the President of the Euro- Meanwhile, the US and EU ambassa- all of Georgia’s elected leaders. By signing G National Movement party will enter pean Council Charles Michel is because dors to Georgia expressed strong regret this agreement the UNM would demon- the parliament after a six-month boycott, of the amnesty that it extended upon the overy the UNM’s refusal to sign the EU- strate its commitment to carry out these chairman of the party, Nika Melia has party’s leader Nika Melia, stating that mediated agreement: fundamental objectives in the interest of announced. Melia added that despite its amnesty implies some sort of guilt, while "However, we strongly regret that the Georgia, its citizens, EU-Georgia relations decision, the United National Movement Nika Melia was just a political prisoner. United National Movement did not seize and Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic future," read party will still refrain from signing the The ruling Georgian Dream party the opportunity today to join the other par- the official statement reads. EU-brokered agreement between the also commented on the United National ties in signing the 19 April agreement. The The United National Movement’s ruling party and the opposition. Melia Movement’s move. On its official Twitter UNM shares the responsibility with the decision marks an end to the opposition also noted that the party will be joining account the party posted: other elected parties to engage construc- bloc’s boycott of the parliament mandates, the parliament because of its unwavering “Radical United National Movement, tively in Parliament to address perceptions which began shortly after the results of efforts to put an end to the oligarchy of having effectively admitted defeat of of politicized justice, adopt and scrutinise the October 2020 Parliamentary Elections the former leader of the ruling Georgian their destructive political agenda, takes the implementation of ambitious electoral have been announced. The opposition Dream party, Bidzina Ivanishvili. up seats in Georgian Parliament. UNM, and judicial reform and participate in claimed that the elections were rigged and Members of the UNM have stated on however, refuses to sign the EU-mediated power-sharing within Parliament, among called on the new ones to be held.

ECONOMICS / POLITICS ECONOMICS / POLITICS ECONOMICS / POLITICS

Georgia celebrates Georgia reports positive coronavirus Government raises 2021 economic Police Day cases among fully vaccinated persons, growth forecast to 6.5% traveling rules to change

FULL STORY ON Page 2 FULL STORY ON Page 2-3 FULL STORY ON Page 3 P2 | ECONOMICS | POLITICS TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 2021 Georgia celebrates Police Day

By Khatia Bzhalava trying to discredit the police and police officers, which is absolute- ly unacceptable,” adding that eorgia marked Police Day “the state will not tolerate any on May 31. Georgian high- G such attempt.” The PM claims rank officials congratulated the Georgian police force is a policemen on the day, praising politically neutral institution. their efforts to ensure public Noting that many police- safety. The solemn event dedi- men have sacrificed their lives cated to the professional day of to this heroic job, Garibashvili the police was held in front of expressed his gratitude to the the administrative building of deceased police officers and their the Ministry of Internal Affairs families. in Tbilisi. President of Georgia Salome The event was attended by Zourabichvili awarded three fe- President of Georgia Salome male police officers with Medals Zurabishvili, Prime Minister of Honor at the Solemn event. Irakli Garibashvili, members The Award was handed over to of the government, and parlia- Eka Butskiridze, Ani Natsar- ment, as well as representatives ashvili and Gvantsa Gogava, of the diplomatic corps accred- police officers involved in com- ited in Georgia. bating domestic violence against Georgian Interior Minister women and children. Vakhtang Gomelauri congratu- Units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs performed solemn marching at the event dedicated to the professional day of the police. lated police officers and stressed that Georgian police are ‘apoliti- Coast Guard Agency has been cal’ and ‘citizen-oriented. During enhanced. He also underscored his speech, Gomelauri under- that according to the resolution scored that the effectiveness of of the European Parliament, the police during the pandemic the activities of the Ministry of “has been of great importance Internal Affairs of Georgia in for the protection of public order, terms of fighting against crime human health and life.” and human rights protection On behalf of Georgian police, were positively assessed. As the Interior Minister expressed Gomelauri said, the support gratitude to the international from Georgia's strategic part- partners for their contribution ners, the European Union and to the capacity building of the the United States, is essential Ministry. Gomelauri noted in the ongoing reform process that for the successful imple- at the Ministry. mentation of visa-free travel As PM Irakli Garibashvili with the EU, the cooperation stated at the event, “Certain with the European Border and anti-state forces are constantly President Salome Zurabishvili awarded three female police officers for their efforts to fight against domestic violence. Georgia reports positive coronavirus cases among fully vaccinated persons, traveling rules to change

By Khatia Bzhalava a milder form, almost without any need for hospitalization or ead of the National Center intensive medical care. H for Disease Control Ami- Until now citizens of all coun- ran Gamkrelidze announced at tries could enter Georgia if a briefing on Monday that cases they presented a confirmation of coronavirus infection among of being fully vaccinated at individuals vaccinated against border checkpoints of Georgia. the coronavirus have been re- However, at the briefing Gam- ported in Georgia. According krelidze announced that per to him, 0.8% of those who were the new decree, fully vaccinated vaccinated once and 0.2-0.3% of individuals who want to enter those who were vaccinated twice Georgia will now be required to have tested positive for corona- present a negative PCR test from virus. Gamkrelidze stressed that the past 72 hours. all of them had the disease in Georgian National Center for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC) is currently Tuesday June 1 studying the first suspected case of the South African coronavirus Day Sunny variant. As the head of NCDC noted, the genetic analysis of High: 29°C the virus is underway and the Night Clear sky As the Head of the National Center for Disease Control Amiran Gamkrelidze noted, depending on the epidemiological situation use of masks might be mandatory only at large gatherings after June. Continued to page 3 Low: 16°C

Wednesday June 2 Nino Metreveli Day Sunny Commercial Director Mariam Mchedlidze High: 27°C Editor-in-Chief Natalia Kochiashvili Night Clear sky Executive Editor Nino Kavelashvili Low: 14°C Design and Layout TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 2021 ECONOMICS | POLITICS | P3

By Natalia Kochiashvili also makes a positive contribution," said Gogita Todradze. he National Statistics Of- Prime Minister Irakli Ghari- T fice of Georgia (Geostat) bashvili responded to the Geo- published the preliminary es- stat economic growth rate say- timates for economic growth ing that the average growth in in April 2021. According to the January-April is higher than report, compared to the same the rate of decline of the Geor- period of the previous year, gian economy in April last year, real GDP growth was 44.8%, which is understandable. while the average for the first 4 During the government ses- months of 2021 is 8.1%. Record sion, it was decided to update high economic growth is mainly the 2021 budget. According to due to the so-called 'base effect' the Minister of Finance Lasha caused by the reduced economy Khutsishvili, the reason for the last year - due to the lockdown budget adjustment is the above- in the country in April 2020 it mentioned faster recovery rate of shrank by 16.6%. the economy. Adjustments due to this factor will be included Geostat data shows that in in the macroeconomic forecasts April 2021, compared to the of the budget and instead of same period of the previous year, 4.5% the target for 2021 is set at growth was observed in the fol- 6.5%. According to the Minister lowing sectors: manufacturing, of Finance, due to the relatively construction, trade, transport high growth of the economy, the and warehousing, hotels and budget deficit will be adjusted, restaurants, financial and insur- which will be reduced to 7.1%. ance activities, real estate activi- The previous forecast was 7.6%. ties, professional, scientific and "April's economic growth is the result of the right policy of the government, there are very positive attitudes and expectations in busi- ness,” PM said. Khutsishvili also said that in an technical activities. A declining optimistic scenario, economic trend was observed in the min- growth in 2021 is projected at ing industry. 10.2%. He underscored that the According to Geostat, the 44.8% growth in April exceeds turnover of VAT refineries in not only the 2020 rate but also April amounted to ₾8.44 billion, the size of the 2019 economy. The which is 93% higher than the minister stated that the 44.8% same period in 2020, which is growth in April exceeds not only also due to the 'baseline effect.' the 2020 rate but also the size of Exports, which have grown by the 2019 economy. The Minis- 19.6% this year, have had a ter also reiterated that with the positive impact on the economy exception of the 'base effect', the as well. size of the Georgian economy has Executive Director of Geostat increased by 21% compared to emphasized that compared to April 2019 this year. the previous year, there was "The updated figures are an upward trend in all respects much more positive, namely ex- - “There was growth in construc- ports increased by 70% in April, tion, metallurgy was activated, remittances increased by 144%, the production of construction and the dynamics of budget materials and cement has in- revenues are very convincing. creased, the output of the finan- We expect a rapid recovery of cial and insurance sectors also tourism and the opening of land increased (51%), trade became borders from tomorrow, which more active, Auto imports have will be an incentive for economic grew by 86% compared to the recovery. The role of political previous year, and re-exports stability must be mentioned as have increased 6 times, which The updated forecast will improve the current account deficit and the dynamics of government debt reduction will be faster. well," PM explained.

Georgia reports positive coronavirus cases among fully vaccinated persons, traveling rules to change

from page 2 since the start of the pandemic. As of Monday, Georgia re- answer will be known shortly. ported 360 coronavirus cases, Yesterday, Georgian Ukraini- 1,195 recoveries, and 16 deaths. an and Moldovan PMs have sent The highest number of 200 a joint letter to the President of Covid-19 cases was recorded in the European Commission Ur- the Georgian capital Tbilisi fol- sula von der Leyen, requesting lowed by the Adjara region with the EU’s assistance in acquir- 43 cases and the Samegrelo- ing coronavirus vaccines. The Zemo Svaneti region with 24 prime ministers asked the EU cases. The daily rate of new cases to include the Eastern Partner- stands at 2,95%, while 3,41% in ship states in its vaccine sharing the past 14 days. Georgia has mechanism as it will help the reported a total of 343 963 cases, countries fill their vaccine stocks among them, 327 618 people promptly. The PMs underlined recovered and 4 773 died. As of the EU’s immediate assistance May 31, 138 914 people got the provided to partner countries coronavirus vaccine. As of Monday, Georgia reported 360 coronavirus cases, 1,195 recoveries, and 16 deaths.