TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021 The Messenger P3

“Impartial, Informative, Insightful” GEL 3.00 The #031 (4835) MessengerTUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021 WWW.MESSENGER.COM.GE Politics UK Minister for European

Georgia-made products Neighborhood and the Americas pays containing Turkish inputs st to be exported to the EU 1 official visit to under FTA

FULL STORY ON Page 2

Economics

Negotiations regarding construction at Vake Park at a standstill between City Hall and Budapest investors

Schools reopen, vaccination to begin by the end of February

FULL STORY ON Page 3 UK Minister for European Neighbourhood and the Americas Wendy Morton and Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani.

BY KHATIA BZHALAVA Prime Minister . closer ties can be established and stressed Black Sea security was emphasized as The meeting with FM Zalkaliani paid the importance of intensifying the politi- well. As MFA reports, the parties focused esterday, the UK Minister for Euro- special attention to the importance of the cal and trade relations between the two on the security environment and ongo- Ypean Neighbourhood and the Ameri- UK-Georgia Strategic Partnership and countries. ing processes in the region. cas at the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Cooperation Agreement, which came into According to the Georgian Foreign British guest stated on her Twitter Development Office Wendy Morton paid force on January 1st, 2021. According to Ministry (MFA), the sides underscored account that the UK would support the her first official visit to Georgia. During Morton, this agreement creates the ba- the existing cooperation in the areas of country to introduce reforms during a her stay, Morton met with Georgian high- sis for a long-term relationship and un- defense and security and outlined the di- difficult time following the recent Parlia- ranking officials, including Georgian derlines the significance of the UK’s mension of cybersecurity. The impor- mentary elections. Morton noted that she Parliament Speaker Archil Talakvadze, strong ties with Georgia. The Minister tance of Georgia’s engagement in strate- talked to the Georgian Foreign Minister Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani, and noted that there are multiple fields where gic discussions regarding the issue of about the need for all parties to reach a compromise. “I am delighted to be here today with the Georgian Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs David Zalkaliani to reaffirm the strong relation- ship between our two countries. We pro- nounce our unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, as well as for the stability and resilience of the wider region,” Morton told the reporters after meeting Georgian FM. At a meeting with Georgian PM, re- gional development, Georgia’s role in a wider Black Sea region, and occupation- related issues were discussed. Gakharia briefed the British guest on the harsh humanitarian situation occurring in the occupied regions of Georgia. The PM dis- cussed ‘provocative actions’ demonstrated by the occupying power, including the detention of locals by the Russian-con- trolled occupying forces. The illegal de- tention of Zaza Gakheladze, a citizen of Georgia by occupation forces, and his un- lawful sentencing by the de-facto court of Tskhinvali was underlined in this regard. According to the press office of the gov- ernment, the sides positively assessed the cooperation of Georgia and the UK in fields such as cybersecurity and the fight against hybrid threats. The focus was

British Minister Morton and Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia. CONTINUED FROM Page 2 P2 Politics The Messenger TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021 Georgia-made products containing Turkish inputs to be exported to the EU under FTA fication from Georgia and Turkey. Once Cumulation allows importing these prod- the agreement enters into force, Georgia- ucts directly to the EU within the Free made products that include Turkish raw Trade Regime, which, according to the inputs will be exported to the EU under minister, will be much more profitable the Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The for local producers in Georgia. Diagonal ministry notes that along with other sec- Cumulation will support the further de- tors, this agreement is particularly im- velopment of such sectors like the pro- portant for the further development of the duction of furniture, construction prod- textile industry in Georgia and for at- ucts, plastic products, steel products, and tracting new foreign investments in this paper and cardboard products, however, sector. the agreement will not apply to the agri- As Turnava stated, in 2020, $75 mil- cultural products, as the customs union lion worth of textile products were im- between the EU and Turkey does not ported to Turkey and most of that textile cover agricultural products. was later exported to the EU. Diagonal

Agreement on Diagonal Cumulation was signed between Georgia, EU, and Turkey on March 20, 2018, and will be entering into force soon.

BY KHATIA BZHALAVA industrial raw materials imported from Turkey to Georgia will be exported to the n February 10, 2021, the Turkish EU in a wider range and volume. The OGrand National Assembly decided minister stressed that the agreement on the ratification of the Agreement on would also encourage investments from Diagonal Cumulation between Georgia Turkey in the Georgian economy, pro- and Turkey. The agreement was signed mote the establishment of joint projects, between Georgia, the EU, and Turkey on and creation of new jobs. March 20, 2018. Natia Turnava, Minis- According to the Ministry of Economy, ter of Economy and Sustainable Develop- the diagonal cumulation between Geor- ment has welcomed the decision and gia, the EU, and Turkey will be fully ac- stated that the agreement would contrib- tivated after the relevant information is Diagonal Cumulation will support the further development of such ute to the growth of the exports from published in the official journal of the sectors as the production of furniture, construction products, plastic Georgia and, in particular, products from European Commission based on the noti- products, steel products, and paper and cardboard products. UK Minister for European Neighborhood and the Americas pays 1st official visit to Georgia

CONTINUED FROM Page 1 contributes to global security. Morton toured Georgia’s Na- also made on the pandemic re- tional Crisis Management Cen- lated challenges. The Prime tre, which was built with UK Minister of Georgia highlighted support, and met with Georgian the role of the UK in ensuring Education Minister Mikheil the global accessibility to the vac- Chkhenkeli. Within the frame- cines. work of meeting with the Brit- The minister also met with ish minister, a cooperation agree- Parliament Speaker Talakvadze. ment was signed with the Min- As the press office states, the istry of Education, Science, Cul- speaker informed the British ture and Sport of Georgia, the Minister about the foreign pri- British Council, and the Na- orities of Georgia stipulated un- tional Center for Teacher Profes- der the Resolution and the Par- sional Development. Based on liamentary agenda. According to the agreement, an online plat- Morton, they “agreed that a form will be created to provide strong Parliament is the corner- teachers with a variety of re- stone of a thriving democracy.” sources for continuing profes- It was also noted that Georgia is sional growth. a reliable partner and highly Following the agenda, Morton also visited the village of Odzisi, located near the occupation line. Weather She announced on the site that the UK condemns the effective Tuesday, February 16 control and destabilization exer- cised by Russia over the occupied Minister Morton at the meeting with the Chairperson of the territories of Georgia. Archil Talakvadze. Day Light Rain High: 7°C published by Nino Metreveli Night Light Rain The Messenger welcomes your therefore, the opinions Commercial Director contributions. If you are expressed in some articles do Low: 3°C The Messenger 43, Chovelidze st., , interested in submitting an not necessarily coincide with Mariam Mchedlidze article or news item please those of the newspaper. We Wednesday, February 17 0108, Georgia Editor-in-Chief Founded by Prof. contact. take no responsibility for any Zaza Gachechiladze All contributions should be claims made in advertisments. Day Light Rain Natalia Kochiashvili Tamar Gachechiladze submitted by e-mail. Executive Editor High: 5°C Publisher The Messenger Georgia’s The Messenger preserves the Night Rain / Snow Mob.:+995 599 565621; +995 577 760000 English language daily is an style of a source written in E-mail:[email protected] Khatuna Gogichaishvili independent newspaper, and, English where possible. Low: -1°C http://www.messenger.com.ge/ Layout Designer, Photographer TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021 The Messenger Economics / Politics P3 Exchange Rates: US Dollar - 3.2898; Euro - 3.9912; GBP - 4.5758; 100 Russian Ruble - 4.4865; Swiss Franc - 3.6935 Negotiations regarding construction at Vake Park at a standstill between City Hall and Budapest investors coming years, as City Hall has been protesting against the is- suggested, explaining that the suance of a construction permit amount of money will be put in for the Budapest Hotel in Vake next year’s budget. He also Park for years. Construction was added that no new places for re- halted following public demands. location were suggested at the Two years ago, on January 25, meeting. 2019, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha The multi-year litigation Kaladze said, “Vake Park has ended with the investor winning won and nothing will be built on in 2019, although he does not this particular site.” According have a construction permit un- to the then statement of the der the 2015 ordinance. Tbilisi Mayor, an agreement On July 24, 2013, by the de- was reached with the investor. cree of the Mayor of Tbilisi, Gigi He said they agreed on the relo- Ugulava, on I. Chavchavadze cation issue. Ave. the land plot # 68, in the One year after this announce- territory of Vake Park, the ur- ment, investors in the construc- ban development parameters tion of the Budapest Hotel said have been increased and a spe- that the state did not want to cial (zonal) agreement has been exchange or buy the territory. He approved for the location of the said if the City Hall does not re- hotel. The same year, the Archi- spond adequately, they will start tecture Service of Tbilisi City construction works on the land. Hall issued a construction per- Tbilisi City Hall has started mit. However, the construction complete rehabilitation-renova- permit expired on September 21, tion of the Vake Park area. 2016. Kaladze explained that Vake Representatives of non-gov- Park will be renovated but will “A hotel cannot be built in Vake Park as we could not agree on anything at the meet- ernmental organizations, activ- preserve the cultural heritage ing,” said Tbilisi Vice-Mayor. ists, and the population have sites located there.

BY NATALIA KOCHIASHVILI According to him, the inves- tor was once again offered an he meeting between the alternative place, but it was re- TVice-Mayor and the inves- jected and the meeting ended tor in the Vake Park in Tbilisi without finding common City Hall ended in vain - the City ground. He emphasized that the Hall maintains the position that reason investors didn’t agree to no hotel will be built in the rec- the relocation is that they hope reation area and refuses the to build a hotel in the Park. proposition to build a restaurant “Sooner or later, we will get of the same size as well. to the point where they are con- According to the Vice-Mayor vinced that they can not build a of Tbilisi, Irakli Khmaladze, the hotel in Vake Park by any ac- optimal way to solve the issue is tion,” he said, referring to the for the owner to accept the offer fact that on the morning of Feb- of the municipality regarding ruary 15, the investor brought the relocation of the land. heavy equipment to Vake Park. “This is unacceptable for us,” The works were stopped for a Khmaladze told the media, recall- short time at the request of the ing that two years ago when ne- City Hall. gotiations started, talks referred Giorgi Zakaidze, the owner of to the restoration of the restau- the area, says that the City Hall rant Budapest, which stood for agrees to pay him 20 million, decades in Vake Park, and “not but in the future. According to the placement of some huge build- him, a refund is acceptable only Hotel Budapest investor George Zakaidze said that the company is ready to build the ing with hotel settings.” if it is given soon and not in up- restaurant instead of the hotel in the park, but City Hall has refused it as well.

countries as well as from vaccine manu- Schools reopen, vaccination to begin facturers. Gabunia noted that the first batch of Pfizer vaccines are expected to arrive by late February and will be pro- by the end of February vided to health workers first. Earlier last month, representatives of the thirteen BY VERONIKA MALINBOYM states of the EU called for the creation of a support mechanism for the Eastern ccording to the statement made by Partnership countries to ensure that they ADeputy Minister of Health Tamar receive a vaccine against the COVID-19 Gabunia, the vaccination program is ex- as soon as possible. pected to begin at the end of the month. A number of healthcare-related restric- Gabunia noted the relevant staff is al- tions have been removed in Georgia to- ready undergoing the necessary training. day. Schools have reopened in Tbilisi, The Deputy Minister stated that Geor- Rustavi, and Kutaisi; food facilities are gia will receive 400,000 doses of vaccines now permitted to offer their services in via the COVID-19 Global Access Facility the outdoor spaces. The government-im- (Covax) platform. posed curfew lasting from 21.00 to 05.00 “The first quarter is the hardest as the remains in place until the 1st of March, volumes of vaccine manufacture will soon and public transport, food facilities ( ex- increase gradually and it will be easier cept for delivery services), and open mar- to acquire vaccines directly from the kets are prohibited over weekends. manufacturers in the third and fourth As of the last 24 hours, 165 new cases quarters. The Covax platform can only of coronavirus have been reported, as well offer about 400,000 doses; the remaining as 639 recoveries and 11 deaths. 3, 601 2,5 million should be acquired elsewhere.” individuals remain infected. The total The minister explained that the coun- number of COVID-19 cases confirmed try will gain the remaining 2,5 million since February last year has reached doses through negotiations with the EU 265,722.