Issue no: 965 • JULY 21 - 24, 2017 • PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50

In this week’s issue... Noble Partner 2017 to Be Launched Late July NEWS PAGE 2 United Efforts & Division at Home

POLITICS PAGE 6 FOCUS Georgia's NATO Membership: ON THE NEED A Defi nitive Decision Has (Yet) FOR TREES to Come A look at Tbilisi's (lack of) green POLITICS PAGE 8 spaces and the ongoing construction works PAGE 12-13 Insurance in Georgia

Enguri Arch Dam Territory to Be SOCIETY PAGE 9 Squeezing Out Our Air: A Transformed for Tourists Suburban Drama The project strategy has been made with lead- BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI ing European companies and experts, and a SOCIETY PAGE 13 tender for the touristic zone planning has been announced. German he new concept of transforming “In about fi ve years’ time, we will have the the territory near Enguri Arch highest-level infrastructure and an outstanding Ambassador Dam into a major tourist attrac- example of public-private partnership,” the PM tion was introduced on Wednesday, noted, emphasizing the importance of the new on Georgia- presented by Giorgi Kvirikashvili, tourist zone for the region and for Georgia’s PrimeT Minister of Georgia. The Enguri tourist economic development. German zone is expected to serve 400,000 tourists annu- “Today, standing here so close to Abkhazia, I ally and negotiations with potential investors would like to express the greatest respect and Relations have already begun. The investment volume of love I have for our Abkhaz brothers, I want eve- construction works is expected to be around ryone to know that we care about those living CULTURE PAGE 15 GEL 50 million. in Sukhumi, Gagra, Tkvarcheli and Ochamchire. The planning of the tourist zone, to which GEL We’re reaching out a hand of friendship. For 2 million has been allocated, will continue for a twenty-fi ve years we’ve been moving in a closed further year, after which construction works will PM Kvirikashvili Presenting the new Enguri tourist circle. It’s time to end this painful heritage, not be launched. complex project to leave it for our future generations,” Kvirikash- “We’re starting a very important project, which preserve the country’s industrial heritage by vili said. “Georgia’s position on the Enguri Hydro only has one analogue in the world: the tourist transforming it into a landmark site. Electric Plant serving Abkhazia with the elec- complex of California’s Hoover Dam in the USA,” “The new tourist zone at Enguri Arch Dam, tricity it produces has always been fi rm. A lot is the PM said. “Georgia is to welcome a massive, which is the second highest in the world, will said with this gesture, and it’s a message to our new, multi-functional touristic zone, and I believe, have an open air conference venue, museum, Abkhaz brothers. The Enguri plant may serve due to its uniqueness, it will become a top attrac- panorama spots, a cable railway, a scientifi c and as an example of how relations torn by war can tion”. discovery center, an open air venue for concerts, be changed by cooperation united around a He added that protecting and preserving mon- maritime infrastructure, the highest existing lift mutual interest… we have to open the way to uments of industrial heritage is of great impor- to a dam (280 meters) and a number of attrac- constructive dialogue and cooperation,” the PM tance today and this project gives the chance to tions for extreme-lovers”. concluded. GEORGIA TODAY 2 NEWS JULY 21 - 24, 2017 Noble Partner 2017 to Be Launched Late July

New Municipal Auto Park Opens in Tbilisi

that MAN buses are to operate on the BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI following routes from July 20: N24 (Gldani district - Digomi Massive - Marshal Gelovani Ave. - Jvania Sq. - Photo source: AP omprising an area of six Vaja Pshavela Ave. - Kavtaradze Str, hectares, the city of Tbilisi TSU 10th building); Spain, Romania, Slovenia, Armenia, lished in 2015 as a bilateral effort focused BY THEA MORRISON has a new Auto Park, which N88 (Nutsubidze 2/4 micro districts, Azerbaijan and Ukraine will join forces on enhancing US and Georgian NATO opened on July 17 in Didi Kavtaradze Str, Tamarashvili Str, Vake, for the training. Response Force interoperability in the Digomi. An administrative Rustaveli Ave - Baratashvili Str),Route The exercise is aimed at strengthen- context of military-to-military rela- Cbuilding, panoramic bridge, service number 33 (Gldani-Sanzona, Tsereteli ATO-backed Noble Part- ing Georgia’s defense capability, improv- tions. center, car wash and refi lling stations avenue, David Agmashenebli avenue, ner-2017 multinational ing interoperability between NATO Exercise Noble Partner will include all form part of the new facility. Rose Square, Rustaveli avenue- Baratash- drills are to launch on allies and partner nations at all levels, approximately 600 Georgian and US The new Auto Park project, with a vili Street); July 30 in Georgia with building multinational, regional, com- service members, and will incorporate budget of 19 million GEL, has the capac- N140 (Baratashvili Str - Rustaveli Ave, European and regional bined and joint partnership capacity, as a full range of equipment, including the ity of 377 buses in total. Construction Tamarashvili Str, Vake, Vaja Pshavela Npartners and troops from 11 countries. well as improving logistical and opera- US Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle of the new municipal auto park began Ave., Kavtaradze Str - Politkovskaya “Strength through Partnership” is the tive planning and execution aspects. and several wheeled-support vehicles. in 2016, with EBRD providing a loan of Str); main message of the multinational exer- During the training, the Georgian mil- Last year's drills involved around 1,300 EUR 27 million and an EU funded E5P N150 (Baratashvili Str. - Rustaveli Ave, cise Noble Partner, to be held in Geor- itary will conduct various live-fi re exer- service members, including 650 US, 500 grant of EUR 7 million. Kostava Str.- Saburtalo - Vaja Pshavela gia for the third time. cises together with foreign partners. Georgian and 150 UK personnel at the Tbilisi Municipality has also announced Ave, TSU 10th building (Maglivi). Georgia, USA, UK, Germany, Turkey, Exercise Noble Partner was estab- Vaziani training ground. GEORGIA TODAY JULY 21 - 24, 2017 NEWS 3 Russia’s Kalashnikov Says State Duma Members to Visit Georgia

The pro-Russian APG party, which gained six mandates in Georgia’s 150-seat parliament during the October 2016 elec- tions, claimed from the very beginning that dialogue with Russia was necessary to solve Georgia’s territorial problems. On July 12, APG MPs, Giorgi Lomia, Ada Marshania and Nato Chkheidze arrived in Moscow and met Leonid Kalashnikov, Kazbek Taisayev from the Communist Party and Artyom Kavinov from Putin’s Yedinaya Rossiya, which is the ruling party in Russia. Despite their previous claims, the Geor- gian opposition MPs did not raise the occupation issue at the meeting with the UAE Foreign Minister good that this initiative is bilateral," Russian parliamentarians, and the main BY THEA MORRISON Kalashvnikov told the newspaper. topics were restoration of diplomatic The article says that through the efforts ties and the initiative of abolition of of the MPs of both countries, the parlia- Georgia’s Law on Occupation, according Visits Georgia ne of the leaders of the mentary channel of cooperation has been to which entry to the occupied territo- Russian Communist Party restored. ries by foreign citizens and stateless and the head of the Rus- The exact date and other details of the persons from any other direction shall At the end of the meeting, the sides BY THEA MORRISON sian State Duma Commit- Russian parliamentarians’ visit to Tbilisi be prohibited and be punishable under signed two documents: an Agreement tee on CIS Affairs and are as yet unknown. the Criminal Code of Georgia. for the Reciprocal Promotion and Pro- EurasianO Integration, Leonid Kalashnikov, Irakli Sesiashvili, Chairman of the Par- Georgian media reports that the sides tection of Investments and a Visa Waiver says that members of Russia’s State Duma liamentary Defense and Security Com- agreed to establish an informal working he Minister of Foreign Agreement for Holders of Diplomatic/ plan to visit Tbilisi at the invitation of mittee of Georgia commented on Kalash- group which will gather every month to Affairs and International Service Passports. the opposition Alliance of Patriots of nikov’s statement. discuss the normalization process Cooperation of the United Within the framework of his visit, the Georgia (APG). “Georgia does not support the estab- between Russia and Georgia. Arab Emirates (UAE), Minister of Foreign Affairs and Interna- The information was released by the lishment of any offi cial ties with Moscow, Georgian and Russian lawmakers Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed tional Cooperation of the UAE also met Russian news Agency, Izvestia, which except internationally recognized for- request this group be offi cially recog- Tbin Sultan Al Nahyan, paid an offi cial with Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili says that during the recent visit to Mos- mats of negotiation,” Sesiashvili said, nized by Russia’s Duma and the Parlia- visit to Georgia on July 17-18. with whom he talked over prospects of cow, the APG members invited their stressing that the government and the ment of Georgia. At the meeting with his Georgian coun- mutual cooperation in agriculture, eco- Russian colleagues to Georgia. majority hold a negative view towards This attempt from the APG to restore terpart, Mikheil Janelidze, he discussed nomics and trade. "We will defi nitely go to Tbilisi. Rus- the steps taken by the APG. diplomatic ties with Russia, which were important issues on the agenda of bilateral At the meeting with Georgian Presi- sian parliamentarians have not been in “Our government is not going to estab- cut after the 2008 Georgia-Russia August and multilateral co-operation with a focus dent, Giorgi Margvelashvili, the conver- Georgia for at least ten years. Such con- lish any offi cial relationship with Russia war, was harshly criticized by Georgia’s on the possibilities of developing relations sation touched on the situation in the tacts are needed to solve a number of while its embassies remain in occupied ruling Georgian Dream (GD) and par- in the areas of trade, economy, education occupied regions of Georgia, recurring issues. At the meetings, we will discuss Abkhazia and South Ossetia and until liamentary opposition parties, The and culture. It was underlined that the cases of human rights violations and the diplomatic relations and economics and we see that Russia is ready to de-occupy United National Movement and Euro- United Arab Emirates is one of Georgia’s non-recognition policy of the occupied will also try to solve the visa issue. It is Georgian territories,” he added. pean Georgia. key partners in terms of investments. territories. GEORGIA TODAY 4 POLITICS JULY 21 - 24, 2017 Has the Russian Occupation of Georgia Been Chalked off the Western Agenda?

INTERVIEW BY VAZHA TAVBERIDZE

t fi nally happened this month: the presidents of the United States and Russian Federation meet face to face for the fi rst time. Just a day before that, however, Trump traveled to The concentrated use Warsaw where he quite nonchalantly berated IRussia in his strongest terms yet, calling on the of soft power and a Kremlin to “stop destructive activities in Ukraine and elsewhere”. Elsewhere being a rather broad swing of the pendulum term, surely encompassing Georgia as well, right? Yet, the South Caucasus defi nitely wasn’t mentioned in Russia might just and it’s not for a lack of destructive actions on Rus- sia’s part: the aptly named “creeping occupation” continues here, as does the “borderization” process, bring about the and despite Georgia’s successes on its European Source: ERR News path, Abkhazia and South Ossetia seem to be in no the agenda. But then again, quite soon it will be country that is nearly ten times bigger than Geor- moment that Georgia rush to ever consider foregoing their “independent visited by Vice-President Pence, and that’s quite a gia. So, I’m not optimistic at the moment. status”. That is, if you don’t count Tskhinvali’s strong message. But still, I think there is a danger, will be able to get recent modus operandi to hold a referendum on as Georgia’s recent problems seem to be more DOES THAT IMPLY THAT GEORGIA joining Russia – a move that the Kremlin is appar- internal than external. The outside world isn’t that HAS CEASED TO BE A LEVERAGE back together ently hesitant to sanction. So, from being a trade much interested in confl icts revolving around local IN RELATIONS BETWEEN THE chip in negotiations between the mighty of this presidency, government, constitution and so on. STATES AND RUSSIA? WITH TRUMP idea that we should talk with Russia on the terms world (in itself not exactly a thrilling prospect), They have bigger things to worry about. DECLARING THAT SANCTIONS WILL it dictates. We should be deterring Russia with has Georgia been demoted to being just “elsewhere”? STAY UNLESS THE SITUATION IN other means: we have tremendous assets on our This was our prime talking point with Edward IS THERE A RED LINE TO DETERMINE UKRAINE IS SOLVED, WHERE DOES side, particularly our fi nancial system, which the Lucas, Senior Editor of The Economist Magazine, WHETHER IT’S ON OR OFF THE AGENDA? GEORGIA COME INTO PLAY? Russians seem to be very fond of. Sanctions are who sat down for an interview with GEORGIA I’d not call it a red line- it’s more of a slope and I think Georgia, because of its geographic position, defi nitely a step in this direction. We should be TODAY and Panorama TV at the Warsaw Euro- Georgia is moving down that slope. It has been always will have some leverage. As long as it has looking at the assets of the top thousand people in Atlantic Summer Academy program, where he was ever since the elections in 2012. In my view, Rus- pipelines going across it, there will be big, serious Russia, maybe at visas of the top ten thousand peo- one of the lead speakers. sia’s actions continue to be totally unacceptable Western energy companies interested in its secu- ple, because these people, almost without excep- and we, the West, should be taking a very strong rity. But that geographical position is both an advan- tion, invest their money in the West; they go on THERE ARE CONCERNS THAT GEORGIA stance on these issues in favor of Georgia’s sover- tage and a disadvantage: it’s in a diffi cult neighbor- holiday to the West, they educate their children in HAS BEEN CHALKED OFF THE AGENDA eignty, particularly on this issue of borderization hood going through diffi cult times. I think Georgia the West, they get medical treatment in the West OF IMPORTANT ISSUES THAT THE and the behavior of Russia’s so-called “peacekeep- should be very clear and realistic about this, about and so on. We should be saying to them: look, if WEST HAS TO NEGOTIATE WITH ers”. We’re already late on this. But the problem is what it can achieve. I’m hopeful in the long run as you preach this anti-Western doctrine in Russia, RUSSIA. WHAT’S YOUR TAKE? that we also have a lot going on here as it is, and some good things are happening: take the visa-free, don’t expect a warm welcome here. And your chil- I’d say that there is a danger of Georgia falling off it’s hard enough to keep Ukraine on the agenda, a for example. It’s very, very important – it came late, dren can’t fi nish their education at Cambridge, but it got done. These are things that make the dif- Sorbonne and so on either. And you can’t expect ference in the long-run. I’d be very interested to to come here for medical treatment and you cer- see whether the new Franco-German leadership tainly can’t expect to use our fi nancial system to in the European Union will have a more active invest the money that you stole from the people of Eastern policy than it had in the past. I’m reason- Russia. I like Russian people, I speak Russian, I like ably optimistic about that: I think neither Merkel Russian literature and think that Russia is basically or Macron like the way Russia is behaving and I a European country – I’m all for as much contact hope the South Caucasus will be one of the places with Russian people as possible, I don’t have a where they can show that the EU can have a reac- problem with 99 % of them, I have a problem with tive policy towards Russia. the decision makers. And then there should be a second layer of that: we should have a second layer REGARDING SHOWING RUSSIA AND of sanctions and we should say to Russians, well, PUTIN WHAT’S WHAT, YOU RECENTLY if you attack the Baltic States, attack Georgia, or PUBLISHED AN ARTICLE IN WHICH go on attacking Ukraine, in 24 hours we will seize YOU ARGUE THAT THE WEST HAS your assets here, which will really hurt you. I’m TO FIND POLITICAL, NOT MILITARY, talking about the big State-end companies: Rosneft, MEANS TO COUNTER RUSSIA Gazprom, VTB bank and so on, which are basically I think the real problem here is that the West isn’t part of the Russian state. And they will really suf- properly scared of Russia yet; too many people still fer for it. The western shareholders might suffer, think that Russia is a manageable problem. I talk too, but that’s maybe why they should start think- to senior British military offi cers and they love to ing about selling their shares. In short, we should talk about what a mess the Russian military is in, make Russians think that there is a very powerful how money is running out and that we shouldn’t deterrent which we will not hesitate to use against overestimate Russia’s military might. Partially, I them if they do any of the abovementioned. think, they are right; Russia really has a lot of prob- lems. I don’t want to demonize Russia and make it CAN THAT KIND OF RESPONSE bigger than it is, but then again, we should also be EXPECTED IF TSKHINVALI GOES ON aware that Russia is infl icting most of its damage TO HOLD A QUASI-REFERENDUM to us not through military means, but through FOR JOINING RUSSIA AND THE hybrid warfare. As for what means we should KREMLIN SANCTIONS IT? employ against Russia, I’m very much against the Referendums are serious business, so let’s not dig- nify this piece of political theater with the word ‘referendum’. It’s naught but a political stunt and as you quite rightly said, the Kremlin will decide what the result and outcome would be. If it hap- pens, it will be a kind of mini-Crimea. And I would like to think that there would be a strong response from the West. My suspicion is that Russia will Neither Merkel or choose to use this as a threat, rather than actually go and implement it. It’s a way of turning up the Macron like the way heat a bit and maybe extracting some concessions from the government in Tbilisi. The hard truth is Russia is behaving and that Tskhinvali is already a de-facto part of Russia and has been since the early 90s. They can change the label on the jar, but that’s just about it. I’m afraid FIRST BRAND HOTEL IN KUTAISI UNDER BEST WESTERN INTERNATIONAL I hope the South that with both South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Geor- Within the framework of the Georgian Hotels’ Regional Three mobile conference halls are available with a total gia will have to wait a long time, some 15-20 years, Network Development Project “12 hotels in 12 regions” by capacity of about 100 persons. Caucasus will be one GHYHORSPHQWFRPSDQ\³6LPHWULD´WKH¿UVWEUDQGKRWHOKDV and it will certainly need a change of regime in been opened in Kutaisi under the Best Western International (XURSHDQFXLVLQHFDQEHHQMR\HGLQWKHJURXQGÀRRUFDIp Moscow. And when that happens, Georgia should brand. and a grill-bar menu in the roof top restaurant of the places where already be a prosperous, strong, attractive country, with panoramic views over the city. so that the sensible people in these self-declared The hotel accommodates 45 guest rooms, including 40 standard rooms and 5 suites. The hotel was designed taking The International Hotels Management Company “T3 they can show that the republics say that the folly is over and this is our into consideration special conditions and safety for guests Hospitality Management,” providing the hotel management, chance to get back. The concentrated use of soft with disabilities. has 20 years’ experience in hotel management in different EU can have a power and a swing of the pendulum in Russia might countries globally. just bring about the moment that Georgia will be Address: 11 Grishashvili Str., 4600, Kutaisi, Georgia reactive policy towards able to get back together again, and I think on a 20 TEL 219 71 00 something year timescale, the odds are actually [email protected] Russia quite good for it.

GEORGIA TODAY 6 POLITICS JULY 21 - 24, 2017 United Efforts & Division at Home

ics to intelligence and diplomacy. Moreover, from BY EMIL AVDALIANI a strategic point of view, since the two countries have access to the Black Sea, one could envisage intensifi ed naval cooperation to counter, for instance, n July 17, Ukraine’s president, Petro Russia’s ambitions since the takeover of Crimea in Poroshenko, began his visit to Geor- 2014. US or NATO military capabilities, along with gia, the fi rst such occasion since his constant naval exercises, could help the countries election as the head of Ukraine. develop this direction. Poroshenko held meetings with his However, there are numerous constraints put on OGeorgian counterpart, the PM and other high offi - both countries and it comes down to the availabil- cials. Although throughout recent years the coun- ity of military and economic resources. While both tries have had minor disagreements regarding the countries’ geographic location is certainly an advan- participation of former Georgian president Mikhail tage, Ukraine and Georgia have limited military Saakashvili and his team in Ukraine’s political life, capabilities in comparison with Russia. For instance, Kiev and Tbilisi now face similar geopolitical chal- there is almost no military side to Georgia’s Black lenges and share common foreign policy goals. Sea navy. And while Ukraine makes certain pro- As an expression of this, the presidents agreed gress in developing naval capabilities, it is still not to coordinate their efforts toward integration into enough to challenge Russia-controlled Crimean the European Union, although no elaboration was bases. This makes any meaningful cooperation given on how this would happen in practice. A between the countries very unlikely in terms of declaration of strategic partnership was also the overall regional military strategy. announced and the Georgian president, Giorgi Margvelashvili, told reporters after the talks that FOUNDING A BRAND NEW “STATE” the declaration "refl ects the real mood of the two While Poroshenko was in Georgia an interesting nations." He also added that the two countries announcement was made by the head of the Donetsk’s “agreed to intensify efforts in terms of integration self-proclaimed republic, Alexander Zakharchenko, into the European space". From his side, Poroshenko on the establishment of a new “state”: Malorossiya said that Georgia and Ukraine "have to defend [our] – Little Russia. Zakharchenko said that the new sovereignty, territorial integrity, and democracy entity would also include the breakaway region of together." Luhansk and would, at the same time, serve as a Indeed, the two states face similar challenges as historic successor to the failed Ukrainian state with within the Russia-West standoff over the former the ultimate goal of incorporating other parts of Soviet space, Moscow projects its military power modern Ukraine. into east Ukraine and Georgia’s breakaway terri- No clear reason was given for Zakharchenko’s deci- tories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia (Samachablo) sion. Perhaps it was done to complicate the upcom- to limit the countries’ bid for NATO membership. ing Minsk Group negotiations focusing on the east Both Georgia and Ukraine see the need to cooper- Ukraine confl ict. Perhaps it is part of the struggle for ate in various spheres, from military and econom- resources between the two east Ukraine breakaway territories. Zakharchenko, by proclaiming Donetsk the capital of ‘Malorossiya,’ essentially wants to get hold of Luhansk’s resources and become a primary political actor in the rebellious region. Indeed, as a sign of resistance, the head of Luhansk breakaway territory, Igor Plotnitsky, was quick to announce that his entity “was established as an expression of the Poroshenko’s visit people’s will” and that he has no right to take such steps without the people’s opinion. stressed the idea that Yet another reason behind the proclamation could be ideological reasoning, as Zakharchenko essen- while Georgia and tially wants to highjack the idea of one Ukraine and build a new state. Ukraine face similar Of course, rhetoric is one thing but the reality on the ground is different. The announcement drew challenges and share immediate international criticism, with both the US and the EU expressing concerns. Moreover, some- common political what surprisingly, even the Russians were quick to distance themselves from the initiative. Comment- ing on it, Russia’s chief negotiator in the Contact goals, Ukraine also Group for Settlement of the Crisis in Eastern Ukraine, Boris Gryzlov, said it should not be taken as mani- has an ideological festation of Russia’s stance on the issue. The lack of support from Moscow makes it highly front through which its unrealistic that the idea of ‘Malorossiya’ will be implemented in any meaningful way. However, the breakaway territories announcement showed that although Poroshenko’s visit stressed the idea that Georgia and Ukraine face want to highjack the similar challenges and share common political goals, Ukraine also has an ideological front through which idea of Ukraine as a its breakaway territories want to highjack the idea state of Ukraine as a state.

GEORGIA TODAY 8 POLITICS JULY 21 - 24, 2017 Georgia's NATO Membership: A Defi nitive Decision Has (Yet) to Come

diate aftermath of the fall of the Soviet consideration that was taken into account OP-ED BY VICTOR KIPIANI Empire, which vanished into oblivion, was neither the sustainability of the can seem logical, some of the Alliance’s Montenegrin democracy nor its well- decisions pose serious questions in terms being, nor indeed its potential military Source: Tiki-Toki he break-up of the Soviet of consistency of action when it comes contribution to the Alliance; rather, it Union marked the dissolu- to pursuing a set of values entrenched was a cold geographical calculation of and no nationwide enquiries were made. that the spiralling pace of destructive tion of the Warsaw Pact, in the North Atlantic Treaty. Moreover, Montenegro’s proximity to the Adriatic (The sole attempt in 2006 to hold a refer- actions such as the ongoing creeping whose members embarked in my view, some of these decisions have and a thrust to eliminate the remnants endum on the question of NATO was annexation and militarization of various upon integration with caused noticeable confusion—particu- of Russian infl uence in what was once unsuccessful, although admittedly the parts of Georgia risks soon forcing us to TNATO. An intrinsic consequence of the larly regarding NATO’s ability to formu- "Russia's backyard" in the Balkans (with situation may now be quite different due face a dilemma about the viability of its Pact’s disappearance, however, was that late and follow a "grand strategy" along the exception of Serbia, of course). to the ongoing confl ict in the Donbas statehood. NATO membership would of NATO, and the United States in particu- its Eastern European and Southern- region and the occupation of Crimea). course not cure all the ills which have lar, found itself in disarray, incapable of Eastern European fl anks. This confusion GEORGIA: A LITMUS TEST And even if Montenegro’s membership sprung from the country’s post-Soviet organizing the Alliance’s expansion in a is further aggravated by ever-increasing FOR NATO STANDARDS is mainly about geography, Georgia also legacy and which it is struggling to defeat, cohesive way, and having lost the means Russian resistance as a result of Mos- There are of course quite a few challenges presents an interesting sui generis geo- but membership would certainly serve to leverage its foreign policy. During this cow’s attempt to maintain a degree of and concerns which continue to impede graphical case in terms of NATO’s south- as a reason not to give in to existential new search in the aftermath of the "big- "strategic geographical depth" in the Georgia’s uphill struggle to join NATO— ern fl ank, Russia’s aggressive moves in threats and to continue to develop Geor- gest geopolitical catastrophe," the United name of pre-empting aggression. from the country’s immediate vicinity to the region and the situation in the nearby gia’s state identity and employ all the States was forced to revert to the prag- Regarding the lack of consistency of the world’s greatest revisionist power to Middle East. Added to this factor is the potential of its national spirit. matic, case-by-case approach the coun- the NATO policy following the Istanbul the illegitimate presence of foreign mili- country's exemplary contribution to And besides, Georgia's appeal to stake- try had been pursuing prior to the Sec- Summit, Montenegro's case presents a tary forces on its territory, with a plethora global security, a contribution which holders in its quest for security and sov- ond World War. noticeable example of the volatility of of other headaches in between. Regard- sometimes goes beyond Tbilisi’s means, ereignty is not that it should simply be NATO’s expansion into Eastern Europe the Alliance’s decision-making. To begin less of that, the country still performs but the most important elements are no absorbed into the Alliance “by default”, was marked by various important mile- with, no referendum was held on the fairly well in terms of the resilience of its doubt Georgia’s potential as a vivid through some sort of automatic, geo- stones, such as the reunifi cation of Ger- question (although, we must note that fl edgling democracy, the palatable foun- advocate in the region for the desirabil- graphically-based vacuum-cleaning pro- many, the addition of the Visegrad Group no referendums were held for the Slo- dations of its economic system, and its ity of pursuing truly Western and liberal cess, but that its membership should (Poland, Hungary and the Czech Repub- venia and Spain NATO memberships generally well-praised efforts to guaran- values, its commitment and dedication instead be based upon the strong set of lic) at the 1999 Washington Summit, the either), despite the country having a tee fundamental human rights. Moreover, to reforms, and its determination to values which it shares with its Western admission of seven other countries of population of barely 700,000 (and a as a "beacon of democracy", the hope maintain the pace of its efforts to partners. If this were not the case, the Central and Eastern Europe (Bulgaria, military budget of only around EUR 60 continues to be that the Georgian exam- strengthen political institutions, civil lingering question of “How much pain Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slo- million). Some (admittedly controver- ple will show neighboring countries that society and the economy regardless of is Georgia supposed to go on bearing to vakia and Slovenia) just prior to the 2005 sial) sources also estimate that fewer true progress should ultimately prevail internal shocks and external pressures. prove it deserves membership?” would Istanbul Summit, new members Albania than 35 percent of Montenegrins are in and that reforms are indeed rewarding, turn into an obsession with dramatic and Croatia in April 2009 before the favour of NATO membership. Opposing that the once hideously corrupt and pater- A PRICE TAG FOR DELAY and very real consequences. Strasbourg-Kehl summit, and the arrival such membership, the prevailing politi- nalistic "former" republic may become Undoubtedly, any delay or uncertainty of the Alliance’s most recent member, cal inclination has been one of military proof of the viability of democracy. on the path to joining the Alliance’s A DECISION MUST BE MADE Montenegro, which formally joined NATO neutrality complemented by a policy of It is also noteworthy that, unlike Mon- security arrangements risks resulting in It is true that Georgians are a nation of on 5 June 2017. In addition to these mem- “keeping the door open” to economic tenegro, a plebiscite (an advisory referen- unrecoverable losses. We fully realize believers. It is also true that they fi rmly bership milestones, Bosnia and Herzego- co-operation with both the West and dum) was indeed held in Georgia on 5 that making decisions within such a large believe in the veracity of their choices. vina, Georgia and Macedonia have also with Russia and the rest of "Eurasia". January 2017, during which 75 percent of political and military institution is all But it is equally undeniable that in order been recognized as aspiring members— All this leads us to believe that the case people questioned voted in favour of the about respecting due process and pro- to keep hope alive, the other partner in with each country facing its own hurdles for Montenegro’s NATO membership is country's integration with NATO. This cedures (we must point out that mem- this process must make a clear and and challenges to further progress on not to realize the long-held aspiration result, unparalleled by any other polling bership through MAP was introduced defi nitive choice. Only by making these their path to NATO membership. of the country’s citizens to embrace the of public mood or inclination, was evi- in 1999 only and even since then this two ends meet can we all remain on the values shared by their Western neigh- dently an explicit demonstration of the transitional step has been skipped over progressive side of modern history and DEDICATED POLICY OR (IR) bors, but is instead a strategic move by will of the people. Georgia’s plebiscite on a number of occasions), about keep- witness the real results of the enormous RATIONAL CALCULUS? THE the Alliance to ensure greater access to bears an even higher mark of credibility ing the right balance and not undermin- sacrifi ces we have made. This choice is CASE OF MONTENEGRO the Adriatic and to undermine Russia's than the very recent vote in Ukraine, where ing stability in a given country and not essentially about warplanes or boots Whilst NATO’s expansion in the imme- position in the region. All in all, the sole only the national legislature was consulted beyond. But we should all bear in mind on the ground but is a civilizational one. Who Started the Fire(s)? Dream took over the government. From OP-ED BY ZAZA JGARKAVA that day on as many as eleven markets Fires have often been used as a have been damaged by fi re and not once weapon in political and business has investigation revealed the reasons. disputes and Georgian history can nother fi re was recently The vendors claim that the markets were serve up plenty of evidence of such. added to the increasing set on fi re deliberately by those who Photo source: nathanmagnuson.com number of fi res in Georgian want to take ownership. markets- that of Poti, the Political expert and former ideologist main port city of the coun- of the Georgian Dream, Gia Khukhash- Atry, where 2000 sq.m. with 50 shops and vili, does not agree directly with the idea, 144 stands was destroyed, leaving 450 but thinks that each such event, be the people unemployed and, most impor- reason for it neglect or something else, tantly, impoverished. The cause of the is still quite politically important for the fi rst market fi re has yet to be investigated government. “Aside from everything else, and already another one has burned. these fi res are a heavy burden on the This obviously increases the suspicion country’s budget because the loss needs that the fi res are being set on purpose. to be compensated. The issue is not Fires have often been used as a weapon regulated as the objects are not insured. in political and business disputes and Since the Children’s World fi re, this issue Georgian history can serve up plenty of has been on the radar. evidence of such. For example, we can Each fi re triggers doubts in society. A recall the fi re of 1973, when the Tbilisi market was destroyed and something Opera House was caught up in fl ames else is constructed on its place, which and destroyed, as well as the “Maud- further enhances suspicion that the fi re Kamvoli” factory and a number of other was deliberate. There is another case textile enterprises that followed. The when the distribution of shares can be method was used by President Saakash- gian Dream who are interested in seizing obviously won’t vote for this govern- political motives behind these fi res are seen as a motive,” he said. vili, who quickly connected the rich these markets. The business of markets ment. Somebody from the government still discussed and often linked with the Fire is often a natural disaster and people close to the Union of Citizens of is not considered big business in Geor- would have to have quite an original idea that the fi res were aimed at discred- somebody might not think to look for Georgia party with the Prosecutor’s gia today, however, the territories where mindset to cut the branch he is sitting iting the newly appointed First Secretary anything political in the recent events, Offi ce and handed the “orphaned” busi- these markets operate are valuable and on. Therefore, this version is logically of the CEC, Eduard Shvardnadze. But but, as they say, the devil is in the details. nesses to new owners, of course to those land has become quite pricey… unacceptable,” Aladashvili declares. against who or what are the current fi res And details often speak of the opposite. who were close to the National Move- Chairman of the Center of Public Con- Who is setting the markets on fi re? Per- set today when neither the Central Com- “Business disputes and the new distri- ment. Bidzina Ivanishvili also has his trol over the Activity of the Special Ser- haps nobody, and it is something the inves- mittee nor the First Secretary or the bution of property ownership is normal,” signature method. Reality suggests that vices, Besik Aladashvili, excludes the tigation has no answer to yet. However, as Soviet government exists anymore? The says Khukhashvili. “Especially with the today we are witnessing the re-distribu- business interests of Bidzina Ivanishvili they say, there is no smoke without fi re question might sound banal, as almost changing of political power”. tion of ownership on these oft-suffering in the markets: “I doubt Ivanishvili has and we can suppose that the process that half a century has passed since those This was the case under President market properties. business interests that require him to began in November 2012 is approaching events and while the methods of battle Shevardnadze when property ‘gained’ By this, I do not want to say that the set things on fi re. The theme of Ivanish- its fi nale. Before the investigation fi nds and revenge should have become more via gangster means by the ‘Mkhedrioni’ Poti, Senaki, Zestaponi or the Tbilisi vili’s interests seems often artifi cially the modern Herostratus, we recall the refi ned, apparently nothing has changed. gang was seized by his government and markets fell under the target of billion- brought up by the opposition. Who would Russian writer Bulgakov and his The Mas- The new season of fi res offi cially opened the Mkhedrioni “businessmen” evicted aire Ivanishvili. But it seems that there benefi t from it? The local elections are ter and Margarita, where the characters on November 15, 2012, when Georgian from the country. A completely different are some among the supporters of Geor- approaching and an upset population walk around setting objects on fi re. GEORGIA TODAY JULY 21 - 24, 2017 SOCIETY 9 Insurance in Georgia

In the western world, people grow with Insurance has not yet become a matter lusions are practically excluded, although arranged– the desire to look and act OP-ED BY NUGZAR B. RUHADZE the notion of insurance ingrained in of wide public consideration- when not totally unheard of. western is not enough; the western style them. You cannot drive a car if you are something bad happens, like fl oods, snow, I have to admit that in Georgia, we are and way of life need to be inculcated, not insured, or purchase a house without drought, fi res or landslides, the victims learning the insurance business little by not just by words but by deeds. If you hat is insurance? it being insured against the elements or make long lines in front of governmen- little, but the public reluctance for insur- want to keep your business safe, go and Where does it come other unexpected misfortunes. People tal offi ces and petition for help and com- ance is still persistent. People do not insure it. Understandably, the owners of from and why has it pay serious amounts of money to insure pensation. Can this happen in the West? want to recognize that bad things are most of those businesses are short of taken such deep and their health, and life in general, which Yes, western governments are always almost guaranteed to take place in our money, and they come to their senses fi rm roots in our lives? gives a chance for our closest and most ready to help if the law allows, but in lives and we need to be protected against only after the oil is on fi re. Well, the WUmpteen years ago, in America, I took beloved relatives to enjoy comfortable most cases the losses are covered by them. For instance, fi res have lately well-regulated insurance business is part a long and complicated course in the annuities in case of our accidental death. insurance companies. Some of them even become very commonplace incidents in of well-regulated life in general, but it insurance business. I even ventured to And this is all a norm of life there. Nobody go bankrupt if the suffered losses go Georgia, especially in marketplaces. As is also the case that the runners of small take an examination but failed it, having is against this common law. Everyone in beyond their fi nancial means. This kind a consequence, rumors fl y that those businesses are unprepared to spend gotten only seven points short of the the West is insured for this or that. The of a thing happens, but the insurance fi res are deliberate attacks of arson, yet, money on insurance even if they have passable bound, but I defi nitely learned culture of insurance is deeply instilled companies are also protected by the regardless of cause, the victims of prop- enough of it. My personal feeling is that something from that American academic in a westerner’s life: that is just the way government when necessary. In the insur- erty loss or damage are unable to com- they are either too tight-fi sted or their experience. they live. ance business, everything is intercon- pensate their loss, hence the marches to sense of future is not animal enough to Insurance, as offi cially defi ned, is a So, what is happening in Georgia in nected and based on fi rm fi nancial logic. government with hands out. recognize the potential danger ahead. It means of protection from fi nancial loss this regard? Something! Just something! Lying here is almost impossible and col- Life in this country needs to be better is also true that the insurance culture and constitutes a form of risk manage- needs time to be nursed in our people. ment, primarily used to hedge against We are all the remains of soviet ruins, the risk of a contingent, uncertain loss. where everything was paid for us by the I have my own interpretation for the State. phenomenon called insurance: a huge Somebody has invented a business, money-generating business, based on known as insurance, to make money out our animal fear for possible disastrous of nothing –from our fear that something happenings and accidental unfortunate bad might happen to us - but the world occurrences in our lives- better to pay has gone for it. This nation will have to some money and sleep peacefully than do the same someday; we will all be get completely bankrupt if something insured, be it liability or comprehensive unlikely happens! insurance. Georgia can no longer be different from the rest of the world except in details like Satsivi, Tamada and Khachapuri.

Insurance has not yet become a matter of wide public consideration- when something bad happens, like fl oods, snow, drought, fi res or landslides, the victims make long lines in front of governmental offi ces and petition for help and compensation

Tel: (995 32) 2 45 08 08 10 Galaktion Street E-mail: [email protected] GEORGIA TODAY 10 SOCIETY JULY 21 - 24, 2017 Believe’s Annual Charity Gala Raises the Bar

he Charity Gala Dinner has special thank you to INDICO Company been a crowning achieve- who singlehandedly made the auction a ment of the Believe Foun- huge success. dation for the past four In addition to the auction, the gala years, this year raising the event included a raffl e drawing with Trecord amount of GEL 123,159.74. prizes sponsored by: Georgia Palace Believe Foundation is a non-profi t, Hotel and Spa, Sheraton Batumi, Hilton non-political independent organization Batumi, ICC Georgia, Marriot Tbilisi, founded on the principle of providing Courtyard Marriott, Radisson Blu Batumi, western Georgia with charitable, cultural Social Enterprise IKORTA, Janini, L4L and educational activities. Believe is Concept Store, Castello Mare Hotel and committed to bring positive changes, Wellness Resort, Nail Stuido Poti, Geor- improvements and progress to the lives gian Heritage Crafts Association, Hotel of socially vulnerable children, the elderly, Prime, Gallery Qissa, Retail Group Geor- youth and individuals with disabilities. gia and Tako Dvalishvili. With the support of donors and volun- Charity Auction artworks, jewelry and teers, they strive to protect the rights of sports memorabilia were donated by benefi ciaries; facilitate their integration Irakli Chikovani, Tutu Kiladze, Social into society; meet their specifi c health Enterprise EthnoDesign, Irina Saridi, needs; fi ght to overcome hunger and Michael Kviraia, Tornike Matitaishvili, poverty; help them to fulfi ll their poten- Natia Arabuli-Bekauri, Levan Budjiash- tial, and to enhance their professional vili, Andria Natsvlishvili, Maka Ldokoneni, skills and educational foundation. Dimitri Basilaia, Anastasia Logvinenko, On July 15, over 200 guests from Geor- Grigol Ghvania, Taras Bibilashvili, Erekle gian and international companies came Tsuladze, Natia Akhalaia, Buba Arabuli, together to support Believe Foundation’s Bacho Tsamelashvili, and Nino fourth annual Charity Gala event, rais- Chakvetadze. ing a record amount. The gala is the Believe Foundation thanks and proudly primary fundraiser for Believe Founda- acknowledges its major sponsors and tion, and this year Hilton Batumi Hotel supporters: generously accommodated guests and Gold Sponsors: Bank of Georgia, PACE the special one-night gala event. Georgia, Crystal Microfi nance Organi- The evening featured a spectacular zation, SOCAR Kulevi Oil Terminal, BDO, Women Business Council in Geor- musical performance by Tbilisi Big Band Channel Energy and PRIME Concrete gia, IKAMEDI POTI, Christina Lindell, Soloist, Maia Baratashvili and her jazz Poti Apartments. Ramaz Shulaia, Mamuka Ochigava Pho- band. Auctioneer-extraordinaire Mr. Silver Sponsors: Wilhelmsen Ships tography Cliff Isaak, Honorary Consul of Canada Service and Mediterranean Shipping Media Support: Radio Fortuna, Busi- in Georgia, orchestrated another suc- Company ness Media Georgia, 9th Wave, Adjara cessful auction with pieces from artists Bronze Sponsors: ICEBERG POTI TV, Georgia Today with collections all over the world. A Partners of the event: ICC Georgia, Wine Sponsor: Vaziani Company GEORGIA TODAY JULY 21 - 24, 2017 SOCIETY 11 Scenar Clinic, New Medical-Rehabilitation Center Opens in Tbilisi

rehabilitation program also involves energo-neuro information regulator BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI regular sessions with speech therapists which generates neuron-type impulses; and psychologists. these short impulses are bi-polar and For adults, Scenar Clinic offers treat- changeable, meaning the human organ- new medical-rehabilitation ment of various neurological and other ism does not get used to them. Notably, center opened in Tbilisi diseases, as well as post-trauma and the Scenar device doesn’t damage the this month. Scenar Clinic post-stroke rehabilitation. tissue when applied. The impulses are offers patients Scenar ther- “Scenar Therapy is used for cosmo- sent from the device to skin and from apy treatment, an innova- nauts who have been in space for long skin to human brain, as the Scenar device Ative method which, according to the periods of time where they experience discovers the exact zones that need to Head of Operation MD there, Dr. Badri muscle atrophy. The Scenar device helps be cured in the organism and treats them Jalagonia, the new clinic is the fi rst to to reduce pain, having a strongest algo- locally, stimulating the organism to treat use in Georgia. rithm for pain relief. It is also used by and cure itself,” Jalagonia explained. Scenar Therapy as a bio-energy treat- the military to treat shocking pain,” Dr. “[Aside from use in the abovementioned ment was invented in the 1980s. The Jalagonia tells GEORGIA TODAY. directions], Scenar therapy has very good device, a self-controlled energo-neuro He goes on to tell us about his fi rst results in treating bone fractures, myalgia adaptive regulator, is said to establish a meeting with leading specialists in Sce- and hematomas; it can be applied for the “two-way communication with the human nar Therapy, Josef Semikatov and widest spectrum of medication, treatment nervous system, encouraging it to redi- Vladimir Lopatka, back in the days when and rehabilitation purposes,” he added. rect its activity towards areas of weak- Jalagonia studied and then worked in “The treatment program we offer is ness in the body”. Scenar Therapy as a Ekaterinburg, Russia, as an onco-surgeon. complex, consisting of Meridian diag- method has been known in Georgia since The idea of introducing and implement- nostics, therapy, exercise, massage and 2015, while it is regularly utilized in the ing the Scenar Therapy concept in Geor- syncretic oxygen put together, and we’re UK, US, Russia, Spain, China, Bulgaria, gia came up two years ago, resulting in already seeing amazing results, especially Ukraine and other countries around the opening the clinic in Tbilisi alongside in patients with cerebral paralysis,” world. founder and owner, Marika Ugrekhelidze. Jalagonia says. The Scenar Clinic in Tbilisi provides “We’re aiming to help socially deprived “We plan to maximally support fami- Scenar Therapy treatment for children families to get a diagnosis free of charge lies in need, refugees and socially deprived with Down’s Syndrome, cerebral palsy in our clinic; as we develop, we hope to groups. That is why we wanted the prices and autism spectrum disorders. The full be able to help many socially vulnerable in our medical-rehabilitation center to course of treatment entails a program families,” Tengiz Kuchukhidze, the Direc- be affordable. Helping those in need of exercise and special massage, paired tor of Scenar Clinic, told us. will always be our priority,” Kuchukhidze with syncretic oxygen treatment. The “The Scenar device is a self-controlling told us. GEORGIA TODAY 12 SOCIETY JULY 21 - 24, 2017 To Nino's House: Cappadocia

BY TONY HANMER

he locals over there know: but do we know, in Geor- gia? Do we know exactly where St. Nino, who broughtT Christianity to Georgia in the 4th century from Cappadocia in Ana- tolia, was born or came from? Online sources name the place as the Greek town of Kolastra, or maybe Colostra or a similar variation. Our Turkish tour guide told us that she was born in what is now Ortahisar (Turkish for "Middle Castle"), in the Nevsehir region of Cappadocia, and kindly detailed the rough location of a small church connected with her there. We went by taxi, in great excitement, trying not to hope too much: would we fi nd it, fi nd anything? Our Azeri friend interpreted for us as we asked around, near the great castle for which the town is famous. Eventually, passing two large chained up dogs, one friendly, the other fi erce, we found a small domed rock structure inside a stone wall, gated and locked but not impenetrable. The area around was poorly kept, nothing special. A sign read in Turkish, "Nino was born here". Entering the open door, we were greeted by frescoes including a rela- tively undamaged main one of Christ. So, we found... something. What? I’m no expert on dates of architecture or frescoes. I’ve been unable to fi nd online the modern name or ancient location of Kolastra, or Colastri, or any similar var- rington's Atlas of the Greek and Roman what Ortahisar was called, or even if it The only things remaining to say are... go more concrete information or sources, iant; not even in the best source, Bar- World. Nor have I been able to discover existed as long ago as the 4th century. and see for yourself; and, if you have any please let me know: [email protected]

In the Soviet period, Tbilisi took 15th place among 16 capitals with 12 m2 green space per citizen. On Tbilisi’s Green Spaces The European standard is 25m2. The population of the city then was about 800,000. Today, the and city wildlife. Trees house micro population is about 1,300,000. Source: Wikiwand INTERVIEW BY DAVID MONGAZON fauna and are a refuge for small animals like squirrels and birds. Trees are sym- bols of nature and life in harsh city envi- bilisi was once green, when ronments with their bare concrete build- it was founded as the cap- ings. Trees also have an informative, ital of Georgia more than educational and symbolic function, 15 centuries ago. However, especially for children. through the vicissitudes ofT history, most of the forests covering HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN the emplacement of the city have been THE LACK OF INTEREST IN burned or cut down. Many gardens and GREEN SPACES IN CITIES parks developed by Georgian kings and SUCH AS TBILISI? noblemen in the 18th century were It isn’t a lack of interest from City Hall, destroyed by invasions and though, in but more an issue of corruptive interests. the soviet era, many parks were laid, In the last 2-3 years, about 70 live Black most of them nowadays face threats Pine trees have been cut down in the from the city’s urban development and center of the city (Saburtalo). Half of the mushrooming of multi-story blocks. them near the old hippodrome and More generally, the parks that exist another half on Kazbegi Str.24. The chop- nowadays are old ones, and there seems ping down of a beautiful Deodar Ceder to be no will from the City Council to tree, aged about 50-60 years old, was develop new parks simultaneously with fi lmed and shared online. All these trees about 800,000. Today, the population is ence climate characteristics, and to ARE THE RECENT PARK urbanization. Added to this that Tbi- were cut for the construction of new about 1,300,000 and the green spaces achieve such condition they need at least DEVELOPMENTS IN TBILISI, lisi’s population is on the up, with the multi-story buildings. remain the same. If we take this fact into 30-40 years. In the last 20 years, many SUCH AS THE RIKE AND result that green space in Tbilisi equals The former hippodrome was moved to consideration, we can see that green multi-story buildings have been built on DEDAENA PARKS, STEPS IN about 12 square meters per citizen, half a new place and a number of develop- spaces today are too few. If they were park territories- in Vake Park, in the THE RIGHT DIRECTION? the European standard, the issues of ment companies, supported by infl uential enough in the 18th and 19th centuries, lower section of April 9 Park, and else- Dedaena Park is an old park. Rike Park pollution and lack of recreational space people, were eager to build multi-story after urbanization they clearly can’t sat- where. The construction of a new hotel can be developed, but it takes time for becomes apparent. buildings in its place. But after strong isfy the demands of today. three years ago on the Vake Park terri- the trees to grow. Besides, this park is We met with Tamaz Patarkalashvili, a protest from Tbilisians and some NGOs, A solution could be to plan the devel- tory was stopped due to a strong protest located outside the city center, the most Doctor at the Center for the Study of these projects were stopped. Since then, opment of green spaces alongside Tbi- from “Guerilla Gardening” activists and polluted part, and so has little infl uence Productive Forces and Natural Resources nothing has happened and the future of lisi’s architectural transformation. The other NGOs. on it. The infl uence of trees and green of Georgia at the Technical University. the territory is suspended but I’m sure majority of buildings in the city center spaces is effective within 100m. All pos- He recently published a work on green that those developers are just waiting for are one-two story and need emergency DOES THIS PREFERENCE sible construction activities in the exist- spaces and the ecological problems of the moment to strike again. It’s the per- repair works or demolishing. In the pro- TOWARDS THE DEVELOPMENT ing parks and green spaces of the city Tbilisi, and gladly answered our ques- fect location for a beautiful nature park, cess of rebuilding, green spaces must OF GREEN SPACES OVER must be banned and the removal of live tions on the matter. if only City Council wills it. also be envisaged and planned for as MORE BUILDING NEED TO trees within city borders must be consid- only this will help to improve the eco- BE ACCOMPANIED WITH ered a crime and punished accordingly. HOW DO TREES IMPACT WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT logical condition of the city center. ALTERNATIVE POLICIES TO ON THE URBAN SPACE? THE TRANSFORMATION PREVENT POLLUTION? DO YOU SEE GROWING The goals and services that urban forests OF TBILISI? HOW LONG WOULD IT TAKE The alternative policy to prevent air AWARENESS ABOUT THESE and green spaces provide are impressive. Tbilisi has changed more in its architec- TO GET RESULTS REGARDING pollution and improve the atmosphere ISSUES AMONG CIVIL SOCIETY? Trees and green spaces help to keep cit- tural view. As to green spaces, I can’t say GREEN SPACES IF CITY HALL of the city, along with the creation of Unfortunately, the green awareness of our ies cool, they act like natural fi lters and anything positive. In the Soviet period, CHANGED ITS POLICY TODAY? new green spaces, is banning old cars civil society today is low. It must be taught moderate city air temperature and mois- Tbilisi took 15th place among 16 capitals I don’t believe that City Hall will change in the city which are considered today from early school age. The best example ture; they muffl e the noise caused by of former Soviet Republics with 12 m2 its attitude towards its city green space the main air pollutants. The majority is China, where elementary knowledge city traffi c, especially at rush hour; they green space per citizen. The European policy, but if we imagine it happening, of these cars were manufactured before about forestry and ecology is taught at purify city air by intercepting pollutants; standard of green space per citizen is then it would take two or three decades 1999. The European standards for city school. Moreover, China plans to plant 26 they improve the quality of city natural 25m2, i.e. two times more than in our to improve the situation a little, because vehicles must be introduced by city billion trees in the next decade- that’s two resources, such as soil, water, vegetation city. The population of the city then was only big trees with large foliage can infl u- authorities. trees for every Chinese citizen per year. GEORGIA TODAY JULY 21 - 24, 2017 SOCIETY 13 Squeezing Out Our Air: A Suburban Drama

no longer private garden. OP-ED BY MAKA LOMADZE There was a period when private set- tlements, so lovely and beautiful, diverse in color and style, reminded us of the nce upon a time, there was European and American suburbs. But an ecologically clean sub- once the constructors move in, these are urb called Didi Dighomi… often marred by the multi-story concrete Didi Dighomi is a suburb mushrooms springing up around and of Georgia’s capital city within. Even those enjoying air and view Tbilisi.O It is said to be an air corridor for in said blocks fi nd their joys squeezed the city and while it is ferociously windy out: where M., living on the 10th fl oor, in winter, it is pleasantly cool in summer, has been extremely lucky to keep a nice with temperatures 2-3 degrees lower unobstructed view of Sameba (Trinity) than in the center. Cathedral (which was meant to be seen Today, with an increasing number of from all corners of Tbilisi), S., who lives ecological problems related to the cut- on the 5th fl oor, will have no such pleas- ting of trees in the city, which many ure from now on. consider as already “out of control,” as Urbanization- both a necessity and a well as a lot of construction work and curse. Villagers fl ood from the regions the resulting dust, suburbs are often the to Tbilisi in search of education and desirable places to live. The only con- work, the fl ow having been especially solation of the local population who strong in the early years of this century choose to live there, after the 30-minute- following closure of the soviet factories. to-hour-long commute through ever- However, unfortunately, some of these increasing traffi c jams, is that, at the end villagers simply abandoned their land, of the day, they can fi ll their lungs with being reluctant to work in the fi elds and struction works around him, he struggles urbs, there is not a single park in the the point of so many apartments if we fresh air. preferring to try their luck in trade- not to breathe, let alone produce fruit and whole of Didi Dighomi to replace this have no air to breathe? Such was the disposition of N. when realizing well that the economy and veg worth eating. loss. All those mentioned in this piece chose she, enjoying both good salary and liv- strength of the country is based on strong N. and Z. are neighbors. Together with I tried to speak to the new owners of to stay incognito as some of them are ing conditions, decided to follow the villages. Thanks to mortgages, buying the others of their community, including said green land, which was apparently employed in public organizations. How- western tendency, sold her fl at in the an apartment has become much more the dwellers of the neighboring blocks sold to him unlawfully years past. He ever, they have one great concern in prestigious central Vake district and affordable than before; the city popula- of apartments, they share one valley refused to go into detail, merely men- common. According to the Interim Head moved to Didi Dighomi to live in the tion grows, the demand increases and unoffi cially used as a stadium from time tioning that “his” territory covers 13,000 of Service of Architecture under Tbilisi fresh air. Having done so, she enthusi- ever more blocks are built to accommo- to time by football players, a real para- square kilometers. If this is then sold on City Hall, Zura Tsiklauri, the permission astically set to creatively styling her date…at the sacrifi ce of the good fresh dise on summer evenings, seeing numer- to construction companies, we can bid to build on that 13,000 sq.m. was given new private house, which included air. ous locals enjoying an evening stroll farewell to the fresh air here, too. during the rule of Saakashvili’s govern- installing a swimming pool in the gar- Let’s get back to still-airy Didi Dighomi. there. Rumors are now circulating that Didi Dighomi represents not only an ment and is just now being fi nalized. It den. When her second summer there Z., in his 50s, desperately fell in love with this space is being sold to developers. ecological suburb, but is unoffi cially is hard (and sad) to believe when, like arrived, she eagerly slipped into her the idea of having a private garden. Sev- Neighbors collected signatures to protest known as the air corridor of the capital mushrooms after the rain, more and swimming costume and stretched out eral years ago, he purchased a house and the move and sent them to Tbilisi City city. Where will Tbilisi be fed with air more new blocks of apartments emerge beside said pool to enjoy the sun on her settled down in Didi Dighomi together Hall. However, the only consolation they from in the near future? Does anyone in throughout the city at the expense of chaise-longue, feeling blessed. Then with his wife. He was happy to have the received in reply was that the undisclosed charge ask this question in the long-run trees and air... she caught sight of two young men look- chance to grow his own organic fruit new owners of the land will not build when planning the construction of more Once upon a time, there was an eco- ing down from the neighboring block and vegetables. He now says that with anything until 2018. The local dwellers and more blocks of apartments which logically clean suburb called Didi Dig- of apartments. Bang went the joy of her the passing of years and constant con- rightly point out that, unlike other sub- are based on short-term goals? What is homi… GEORGIA TODAY 14 CULTURE JULY 21 - 24, 2017

WHAT’S ON IN TBILISI THEATER Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama THE BUILDER AND NEW VERNISSAGE GALLERY Line Up: Language: Russian EXHIBITS OF THE MEDIEVAL Address: 49 Leselidze Str. EVOL WAVEZ, JUSTIN MYLO, MARTIN GARRIX, SPACE SHALIKASHVILI THEATER Start time: 16:15, 19:00, 22:10 TREASURY Resident DJs, COBERT, ANDREY Address: 37 Rustaveli Ave. Ticket: 10-14 GEL July 15-25 PUSHKAREV, TINI, BILL PATRICK Telephone: 595 50 02 03 September 27 (2016) – Tamuna Melikishvili’s Exhibition SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING September 22 (2017) DAGNY’S CAUCASIAN Start time: 09:00 Ticket: 100 GEL July 23 Directed by Jon Watts EXHIBITION STONE AGE GEORGIA HOLIDAYS Cast: Tom Holland, Chris Evans, THE KNIGHT IN THE July 23 Robert Downey Jr. May 18- November 18 MUSIC PANTHER'S SKIN DENNIS FERRER, Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi EXHIBITION Shota Rustaveli AERA, AUTUMN TREE, Language: Russian GEORGIAN COSTUME AND MTATSMINDA PARK Directed by Amiran Shalikashvili COBERT, DASHA REDKINA, Start time: 13:15, 22:15 Venue: Mtatsminda park Start time: 20:00 WEAPONRY OF 18TH-20TH GACHA BAKRADZE, GEORGE Ticket: 12 GEL Ticket: 9-14 GEL CENTURIES ADI, GIO SHENGELIA, Jully 22 GRAMOPHONEDZIE, MIKE GABRIADZE THEATER RUSTAVELI CINEMA MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS EZO FESTIVAL STEVA, PEZN, TVERA Address: 13 Shavtelis St. Address: 5 Rustaveli Ave. Address: 1 Gudiashvili Str. eZo Live offers live concerts of the Start time: 09:00 Telephone: 2 98 65 93 Telephone: 2 55 50 00 Telephone: 299 99 09 Georgian alternative music scene. www.kinoafi sha.ge Line up: July 24 July 22 March 6 – August 30 GAMOUVALI MDGOMAREOBA ARTSAVES, AUTUMN TREE, Every Wednesday ticket: 5 GEL MARSHAL DE FANTIE’S EXHIBITION A-RA BLACKSOUL, DARIUM, July 21-27 DIAMOND MASTERPIECES FROM THE Start time: 16:00 DASHA REDKINA, GACHA Rezo Gabriadze MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS Ticket: 15 GEL BAKRADZE, GEORGE ADI, BERLIN SYNDROME Directed by Rezo Gabriadze COLLECTION Kids under 12 - Free GRAMOPHONEDZIE, MIKE Directed by Cate Shortland STEVA, NUJI, PONURA, English Subtitles Cast: Teresa Palmer, Max Riemelt, BLACK SEA JAZZ SPACE Resident DJs, TEGHVED Start time: 20:00 June 29- July 29 Matthias Habich BATUMI 2017 Start time: 09:00 Ticket: 10, 15, 20 GEL EXHIBITION DEDICATED TO Genre: Thriller THE 115TH ANNIVERSARY OF www.tbilisijazz.com Language: Russian FIRST GEORGIAN FEMALE July 25 July 27 AIDA, ALEXKID, DARIUM, KATE Start time: 19:20 SCULPTOR NINO TSERETELI July 27 STALINGRAD ZUBOK, KLAUS, NIKA J, SPACE Ticket: 13-14 GEL CORY HENRY AND THE APOSTLES Rezo Gabriadze Resident DJs, URU Directed by Rezo Gabriadze IOSEB GRISHASHVILI Venue: Club Take 5, Batumi DUNKIRK TBILISI HISTORY MUSEUM Start time: 09:00 English Subtitles Start time: 19:00 (Info Above) - KARVASLA Start time: 20:00 Ticket: 100-1000 GEL BLACK SEA ARENA Start time: 14:00, 17:30, 20:00, 22:35 Address: 8 Sioni St. Ticket: 10, 15, 20 GEL Venue: Club Take 5, Batumi Address: Tsikhidziri, Adjara Ticket: 10-14 GEL Telephone: 2 98 22 81 CINEMA GEM FEST 2017 July 23 July 5 - September 11 SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING KATIE MELUA (Info Above) EXHIBITION OF DAVID July 14 – August 14 AMIRANI CINEMA Classic songs from Katie’s Start time: 19:10, 22:10 SULAKAURI'S ARTWORKS https://gemfestival.com catalogue performed by Address: 36 Kostava Str. Ticket: 8-14 GEL Start time: 9:00 – 12:00 Katie and her studio band from the Telephone: 2 99 99 55 July 11 – August 20 Tickets: UK: www.kinoafi sha.ge MUSEUM EXHIBITION "FIELD OF Opening Pass: 60 GEL, 3-Day Pass: Tim Harries- bass, FLOWERS” 120 GEL, Week Multi Pass: 170 GEL, Mark Edwards - Keyboards, Every Wednesday ticket price: 5 GEL GEORGIAN NATIONAL Multi Pass: 500 GEL, VIP Pass 2000 GEL. Simon Lea- drums, July 21-27 MUSEUM SIMON JANASHIA MUSEUM OF SOVIET GEM Fest is a month-long Paul Sayer- Guitar MUSEUM OCCUPATION electronic music festival. Blazing a Special guests- Gori Women’s DUNKIRK Address: 4 Rustaveli Ave. Address: 4 Rustaveli Ave. new trail within sight of the Black Choir Directed by Christopher Nolan Telephone: 2 99 80 22, 2 93 48 21 Telephone: 2 99 80 22, 2 93 48 21 Sea, some of the world's biggest Start time: 19:00 Cast: Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, www.museum.ge www.museum.ge house, techno and trance DJs make Ticket: From 20 GEL Kenneth Branagh this a stand-out summer party. Genre: Action, Drama, History PERMANENT EXHIBITION: PERMANENT EXHIBITION Now into its third year, GEM Fest ART GENE Language: English GEORGIAN ARCHAEOLOGY will be kick-starting Georgia's 2017 www.artgeni.ge Start time: 19:15 FROM 8TH MILLENNIUM B.C. GALLERY summer dance culture. Language: Russian TO THE 4TH CENTURY A.D More than 500 artists will perform July 17-23 Start time: 16:45, 19:30, 22:00 THE NATIONAL GALLERY on 9 stages and there will be Craft Exhibitions 13:00 – 22:00 Ticket: 10-14 GEL EXHIBITION OF GEORGIAN Address: 11 Rustaveli Ave. more than 100 fun, sports and Start time for Folklore Concert: 20:00 WEAPONRY www.museum.ge entertainment activities. For Final concert: 20:00 WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES Telephone: 215 73 00 Venue: Anaklia Season Ticket: 97 GEL Directed by Matt Reeves NUMISMATIC TREASURY July 21 Cast: Judy Greer, Woody Harrelson, June 8 – September 11 July 21 Folklore Concert: Samegrelo Andy Serkis THE TESTAMENT OF DAVID EXHIBITION CONSTELLATION MARTIN GARRIX Final concert: FRANI Ticket: 22 GEL

July 22 Folklore Concert: Guria, Adjara Final Concert: NINO KATAMADZE & INSIGHT Ticket: 29 GEL

July 23 Folklore Concert: Racha, Samtskhe Javakheti Final Concert: NIAZ DIASAMIDZE & 33A Ticket: 29 GEL

July 24 Folklore Concert Final Concert: SUKHISHVILEBI Ticket: 29 GEL

BLUES FESTIVAL IN LAGODEKHI Address: Lagodekhi, Kakheti

July 22 SOBO Start time: 17:00 Ticket: 20-80 GEL

SPACEHALL Address: 2 A.Tsereteli Ave.

July 26 Muzame #12: Motorama BEQA KUNDALINI Start time: 20:00 Ticket: 20-30 GEL GEORGIA TODAY JULY 21 - 24, 2017 CULTURE 15 German Georgian Wine Exhibition in Ambassador on Bordeaux to Open Late July Georgia-German Relations H.E. Heike Peitsch, the Ambassador of Germany to Georgia: Knowledge about Georgia among BY MAKA LOMADZE Germans is on the up, as is interest towards this beautiful country and culture. This is also refl ected in the rising number of German tourists coming to Georgia. .E. Heike Peitsch is the latest Ambas- sador of Germany to Georgia, though gia – only English and Russian are more popular. it is not her fi rst post in the region as, Before the educational reform, which made English in the early 2000s, she served as num- the fi rst foreign language for Georgian students, ber one diplomat in Armenia, and around 120,000 pupils throughout Georgia studied thenH in Russia, in Moscow and Saint Petersburg. She German. This fi gure fell sharply to approximately arrived in Georgia last September. 57,000 in the academic year 2011/12 and has since Ambassador Peitsch admits that the Georgian been declining. However, the decline has slowed sig- hospitality has made it easy to get used to the coun- nifi cantly in the past two academic years and we’re try, to make friends and to organize meetings with seeing an increased interest in the German language government offi cials. And the fact that 2017 marks among advanced pupils and university students. German-Georgian Year, the 25th anniversary of bilateral relations and 200 years since the fi rst Ger- WHY IS THAT? man colonists arrived, means there is both joy and I think it’s due to the many opportunities that learning much to be done in her fi rst year here. GEORGIA German offers: worldwide, approximately 140 million TODAY went to meet her. people speak German as a fi rst, second or foreign lan- guage. With approximately 100 million native speakers, German is the most widely used native language in The Cité des Civilisations Du Vin in Bordeaux, France, will open its doors for the TELL US WHAT IS PLANNED Georgian wine exhibition on July 31 TO CELEBRATE THE Europe. The countries in which German is spoken as ANNIVERSARIES THIS YEAR a native language represent very strong economies. ister Levan Davitashvili, and Ekaterine Siradze- BY THEA MORRISON We’ve organized a variety of activities both in Germany Studying German thus offers a lot of employment Delaunay, the Georgian Ambassador to France. and here in Georgia. The activities in Germany will opportunities around the world. Additionally, study- Within the Georgian exhibition, a large Qvevri last until 2018, when Georgia will be the Guest of Honor ing in most German universities remains free of charge will be placed at the main entrance of the Wine at the Frankfurt Book Fair, which is the largest book as the German state pays for tuition. German language eorgia’s Minister of Agriculture, Levan Civilization Center. The Qvevri was specially fair in the world. German-Georgian relations are not profi ciency therefore also opens up tremendous edu- Davitashvili, has confi rmed that from designed for the exhibition at the modern Qvevri only a governmental matter but it also rely much on cation possibilities in Germany. I am quite confi dent July 31 to November 5, the center of School of Alaverdi Eparchy. people-to-people relations. We’re giving a lot of atten- that German will consolidate its third place among wine civilization- Cité des Civilisa- Especially for the exhibition, the National Bank tion and resources to encourage civil society to par- the most popular foreign languages in Georgia and tions Du Vin in Bordeaux, France, of Georgia (NBG) issued 5-Lari denomination sil- ticipate in the celebratory activities. will continue to attract many students. Gwill open its doors for the Georgian wine exhibi- ver collector coins on the theme of the Georgian tion. vine in order to promote the country’s rich culture HOW MANY GERMAN COLONISTS GERMANY FULLY SUPPORTS “It is a very important exhibition- Georgia is the and the history of ancient winemaking traditions. HAVE RETURNED TO THEIR HISTORIC GEORGIA’S RETURN TO ITS HISTORICAL fi rst invited country and it is the proof that Georgia The new coin pictures the Georgian vine and the COUNTRY FROM GEORGIA? WHAT IS EUROPEAN FAMILY. WHAT IS is the motherland of wine, the cradle of vinicul- UNESCO heritage listed, large, ancient Georgian THE GENERAL LEVEL OF AWARENESS BEING DONE IN THIS REGARD? ture,” Davitashvili stated at the special press-con- winemaking vessel—the Qvevri—with red wine ABOUT GEORGIA IN GERMANY? We’ve given much to support Georgia’s policy to ference on Wednesday. within. In total, 1500 coins have been made in Japan It’s diffi cult to say exactly how many descendants return to the European family. On the bilateral level, The Minister explained that participation in the Mint. of German colonists returned to Germany from we’ve spent EUR 800 million on programs in the exhibition is a unique platform for popularization The offi cial website of La Cite du Vin (Wine City), Georgia in the past decades. Since 1992, a total of framework of economic cooperation over the last 25 of Georgian wine and culture. world’s largest wine museum, says that the exhibi- around 1700 ethnic Germans from Georgia returned years. Our points of focus are strengthening the rule “I would like to thank the National Museum of tion focuses on four key themes: the roots of Geor- to Germany within a special program of the Federal of law, building democracy and offering the above- Georgia which has prepared a very interesting gian wine culture, wine and royalties, the impor- Government, so-called ‘Late Re-settlers’ but prior mentioned education opportunities as a contribution exposition which will present Georgian wine and tance of wine in religious beliefs and wine in to that, other descendants came back. When Geor- to democracy building. On the multilateral level, culture at the international center for four months,” everyday life. gia was a part of the former Soviet Union, no data Germany, as a member of the EU, is very much pro- Davitashvili added. “Set on the banks of the Black Sea and nestled at was kept. Furthermore, as you know, many German moting Georgia’s further approaching Euro-Atlantic The exhibition will showcase 125 archaeological the foot of the Caucasus Mountains where Europe colonists moved from Georgia to Central Asia and structures. Georgia concluded the Association Agree- and ethnographical exhibits and works of art, as and Asia meet, Georgia has an age-old culture of other regions during the rule of Stalin. Therefore, ment (AA) with the EU which means a very ambi- well as heritage photographs from the Georgian winemaking dating back to the 6th millennium ethnic Germans who resettled in Kazakhstan, for tious implementation agenda for Georgia. Together National Museum collections, all of which illustrate BC,” the webpage reads. instance, sometimes have a Georgian background. with partners in the EU, we’re going to support Geor- the key role which wine and vine play in Georgian In recognition of the importance of the event, the Keeping these things in mind, I think that it’s safe gia in the implementation of the AA, which is an culture. Georgian government has set up a special commis- to assume that several thousand descendants of absolute priority for Georgia on its way to Europe. Numerous events attached to the exhibition will sion, composed of representatives of various gov- those 200 German colonists have come to Germany Georgia has already achieved a lot. For example, the punctuate life at La Cité du Vin throughout the ernment agencies and headed by the Minister of since 1950. Along with them, approximately 24,000 visa-liberalization did not come out of the blue- it exhibition period: a concert, a fi lm, a festive event, Agriculture. Georgians are currently living in Germany. I think was linked with a lot of conditions that needed to be conferences, as well as Georgian wine-tasting and The project is supported by the Georgian National that this provides a good basis for raising awareness met. Now, the AA needs to be implemented. Georgia grape variety discovery workshops. Wine Agency, the Georgian Wine Association and about Georgia, and in fact this is what’s happening. is a part of Europe. However, there is much more to The exhibition is co-organized and fi nanced by the National Intellectual Property Center of Geor- Knowledge about Georgia among Germans is on be done. The Georgian economy is still operating on the Georgian Ministry of Agriculture through Min- gia. the up, as is interest towards this beautiful country a relatively low basis, but the government is well- and culture. This is also refl ected in the rising num- aware of the fact and has recognized the importance ber of German tourists coming to Georgia. of a growth-generating strategy.

GERMANY WAS THE FIRST COUNTRY IN 2018, GEORGIA WILL PARTICIPATE THAT RECOGNIZED THE RESTORATION IN THE FRANKFURT BOOK FAIR OF GEORGIAN INDEPENDENCE Yes. It’s an honor for me as the Ambassador of Ger- IN 1991. WHAT DOES IT MEAN many to Georgia, that my host country will be the IN DIPLOMATIC TERMS? Guest of Honor in 2018 at the Frankfurt Book Fair. We are always proud that we were the fi rst country This status offers Georgia a huge variety of oppor- to recognize Georgian independence in 1991. This tunities. It’s the chance to present Georgia’s rich has a very concrete meaning since recognition of history, culture and literature. Georgian writer Nino independence is the pre-condition of establishing Kharatishvili’s book ‘The 8th Life for Brinka’ has diplomatic relations and opening embassies. become a best-seller. Nino, who lives and writes in Germany, in this book tells the story of a Georgian ONE OF YOUR TARGET GROUPS IN family. A lot of my German friends have read it. With RELATION-BUILDING HAS BEEN YOUTH the support of the Georgian Ministry of Culture, the Currently, approximately 40,000 Georgian students book is now being translated into Georgian. I’m study German as a foreign language throughout the impressed to see how actively Georgia is already country. German thus occupies a strong third place preparing the Frankfurt Book Fair and I’m really among the most popular foreign languages in Geor- looking forward to it.

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