Why Georgia Should Be Worried About Marine Le Pen FOCUS
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Issue no: 929 • MARCH 17 - 20, 2017 • PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50 In this week’s issue... Get Energetic with Radio NRJ Georgia NEWS PAGE 2 Putin Approves “Military Deal” with Georgia’s Breakaway South Ossetia POLITICS PAGE 5 VESTUS: First Georgian-Made FOCUS Nanotechnology Product on ON THE PENAL SYSTEM the Market COE report names Georgia among BUSINESS PAGE 7 countries with highest incarceration rates PAGE 10 Tskhinvali Region Source: washingtontimes.com Is Not Alania: Regional Problems in Tskhinvali Why Georgia Should be SOCIETY PAGE 11 Jamiroquai to Perform at Black Worried about Marine Le Pen Sea Jazz Festival 2017 CULTURE PAGE 13 BY MARIAM TABATADZE AND JOSEPH LARSEN Zaza Pachulia on the hile European Union member states are preoccupied with EuroBasket countering Russian propa- ganda and the related rise of and Georgian domestic right-wing populist Basketball Wmovements, Georgia is steadily working toward integration with the EU and NATO. The Coun- SPORTS PAGE 15 cil of the European Union approved visa-free travel for Georgian passport holders, a measure likely to go into effect in late March. While visa liberalization is a clear positive, complicated domestic situations in several EU member countries threaten to derail further advances on the integration path. The obstacles put up by domestic politics in EU and NATO disappointments in proper context. she emerges victorious, she could squash Geor- member states tend to be poorly understood in France is a prime example of the connection gia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations. Georgian society, largely due to the lack cover- between domestic politics and Euro-Atlantic Le Pen is supported by notable Russian prop- age by local media. Many Georgians are left in integration. There, charismatic populist Marine agandists, including Marina Katsonova, who the dark about EU member states and how their Le Pen of the right-wing nationalist National commented this year that Le Pen is “a Euroskep- societies view and approach relevant issues. Front (FN) is a leading contender in the French tic, she supports Russia and she’s just the best Taking a closer look helps put the country’s presidential election scheduled for April. Le Pen candidate … It’s hard not to love her.” Euro-Atlantic aspirations, achievements, and is a fi erce critic of both the EU and NATO. If Continued on page 5 GEORGIA TODAY 2 NEWS MARCH 17 - 20, 2017 Ombudsman: Toys on Georgian Market Pose Threat to Children’s Health The Public Defender was informed that the NGO Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG) had purchased dolls of ten different brands at Georgian shops and sent them to Germany to check their safety in an accredited laboratory. Accord- ing to the results received from Germany, a large amount of harmful substances was found in nine of the ten dolls. Get Energetic with Radio NRJ Georgia The statement of the Ombudsman reads that, unfortunately, it is planned to bring that, in order to develop the Georgian national experience, and direct links BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI the Georgian legislation closer to the radio market, it was necessary for an with Europe’s top performers,” Shar- new EU Toy Safety Directive only in international brand to enter. ashidze told marketer.ge. “Radio NRG 2019. “The European standard radio station is for anyone who loves good music, Nanuashvili believes that, given the nternational music station Radio will change the existing situation radi- follows modern tendencies and lives results of the examination carried out NRJ started to broadcast on March cally for the better,” he said. “Apart from an active, energetic life.” by the CSRDG, it is necessary for the 14 from its Tbilisi studio in the modern international hits, a one-hour The Georgian station will notably government to take effective measures new Radio Café (2 Dolidze Str.), slot will be dedicated to Georgian artists benefi t from all the infl uence of the NRJ immediately and implement the EU Toy a space uniting a café and radio who will also be invited to talk to us live brand around the world in terms of Safety Directive before September 1, Istudio, which gives its guests a chance in the studio. The unique location of the proximity with international artists, BY THEA MORRISON 2019, in order to protect the best inter- to see live broadcasts and to actually Radio Café brings a chance for music capacity to organize exclusive events ests, health and safety of minors. take part in the radio shows. lovers not only to listen to the music live and innovation force on air and on “The Public Defender addressed the Radio NRJ’s entering the Georgian on air, but also to take part in the show digital platforms. eorgia’s Public Defender Georgian government with a recom- market is seen as an opportunity for the itself,” Sharashidze added. Richard Mazeret, CEO NRJ Interna- (Ombudsman) Ucha Nan- mendation to respond to the results of development of the radio sector and a Although the station’s format is pri- tional: “We see a fantastic potential for uashvili says that many the examination carried out by the platform for the promotion of both marily for music and entertainment, our brand in Georgia and we know that toys on the Georgian mar- CSRDG, to plan measures for regulation Georgian and international brands. the show hosts will discuss ongoing NRJ will bring something new, dynamic ket are dangerous for chil- of legislative and institutional frame- Music lovers can listen to the station current events in the country in the dif- and powerful to the audience in the Gdren’s health. works under the Toy Safety Directive at 104.7 FM in Tbilisi City, Tbilisi region, ferent show formats, but keeping it country.We are very excited to start this Nanuashvili applied to the Parliament obligations before 2019, and to take effec- and in Gudauri. within the entertainment and music new adventure with our partners in of Georgia with the request they take tive steps for supervising the market in In an interview with marketer.ge, niche. Georgia. We are confi dent that our part- proper measures to ensure the safety of order to protect minors’ rights to life George Sharashidze, founder of Radio “The advantage of Radio NRJ, along- ner will leverage the unique assets of toys on the Georgian market and protect and health,” the statement of the Public NRJ Georgia, says that the idea of coop- side its being a non-standard studio, is our brand to write a new page of the the health of minors. Defender reads. erating with NRJ came after realizing the strength of the existing brand, inter- NRJ success story.” GEORGIA TODAY MARCH 17 - 20, 2017 NEWS 3 NATO Sec Gen’s Annual Report Includes Georgia how NATO is adapting to the new secu- “NATO’s door remains open to those ment of a Joint Training and Evaluation “The Partnership Interoperability Ini- rity environment by strengthening its countries that want to join and that meet Center, a Defense Institution Building tiative also offers specific partners collective defense and projecting stabil- the criteria of membership. Work con- School, and a Logistics Facility. It also enhanced opportunities for deeper coop- ity beyond its borders. tinues with other countries that aspire provides expert advice in the areas of eration. Five partners (Australia, Finland, BY THEA MORRISON The report says that Georgia is an aspir- to join the Alliance – Bosnia and Herze- acquisition, strategic and operational Georgia, Jordan and Sweden) currently ant country and one of the main partners govina, Georgia and the former Yugoslav plans, Special Operations Forces, mili- have access to enhanced cooperation, of the Alliance, greatly contributing to Republic of Macedonia – to help them tary police, cyber defense, maritime which includes tailored consultation on orth Atlantic Treaty NATO peacekeeping missions. prepare for NATO membership. NATO security, aviation, air defense and stra- security matters and close participation Organization (NATO) Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has a strong program of cooperation tegic communications. The package also in exercises. All fi ve Enhanced Oppor- Secretary General Jens (MFA) released a statement in response, with each aspiring member state to help covers support and contributions to tunities Partners participated at the Stoltenberg has released noting that the NATO Secretary General it carry out the reforms necessary for NATO exercises in Georgia, which are NATO Summit in Warsaw,” the report an annual report for 2016 mentions Georgia in the context of the membership,” the report reads. open to partners,” the report reads. reads. Nwhich claims Georgia is one of the most NATO Open Door Policy. According to The report also reviews the implemen- Stoltenberg also says that at the War- The document also underlines Georgia’s valuable partners of the Alliance. Stoltenberg, NATO’s Open Door Policy tation of the Substantial NATO-Georgia saw Summit in 2016, NATO leaders agreed signifi cant contribution to providing The report was published on March 13 is a founding principle of the Washington Package, saying the defense capacity on additional practical ways to intensify international security, saying Georgia is and aims to show how in 2016 NATO Treaty and one of the Alliance’s greatest building for Georgia is provided through capacity-building support to Georgia, the biggest contributor among the non- “took further steps to keep our almost successes. Since its foundation in 1949, this package. including supporting Georgia’s crisis member countries, having 870 military one billion citizens safe” and highlights NATO has grown from 12 members to 28. “The package includes the establish- management capabilities. servicemen involved in the mission. President Holds Consultations over Surveillance Bill Inspector as key players, needed to be report of its activities annually to the PM.