Georgia Fulfills Visa
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Issue no: 1009 • DECEMBER 22 - 25, 2017 • PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50 In this week’s issue... Foreign Minister Janelidze: US is Georgia’s Top Strategic Partner NEWS PAGE 2 Defi ning Saakashvili POLITICS PAGE 4 Much Ado about… the Memorial POLITICS PAGE 6 The Natakhtari Fund BUSINESS PAGE 9 Irakli Kobakhidze’s Visit Brings New Level to Georgia-Israel Relations BUSINESS PAGE 10 FOCUS Regus Unique ON FRENCH-GEORGIAN Services Provide RELATIONS Exclusive: The French Comfortable Work Ambassador to Georgia on Environment wine, war and language PAGE 8 BUSINESS PAGE 11 Safety First: Mestia, Svaneti European Commission: Georgia Fulfi lls Visa- SOCIETY PAGE 12 90th Anniversary of Lib Benchmarks, Improvement Still Needed Georgian-German BY THEA MORRISON Writer Givi Margvelashivili he European Commission has Celebrated in issued a report on visa-liberaliza- tion, saying Georgia continues to Tbilisi fulfi ll the benchmarks, but action CULTURE PAGE 12 is required in a number of specifi c Tareas to preserve their sustainable implemen- tation. The report was released on December 20 and refers to fulfi llment of the visa-liberalization benchmarks by the western Balkan countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia) as well as the Eastern Partnership countries (Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine). The report is the fi rst assessment under the new monitoring mechanism for the eight coun- tries that have concluded visa-liberalization dialogues with the EU. Continued on page 2 Photo: The European Commission reports on implementation of benchmarks for Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership countries. Photo source: euobserver.com GEORGIA TODAY 2 NEWS DECEMBER 22 - 25, 2017 Georgian President & Prime Foreign Minister Janelidze: US is Minister Host New Year Reception Georgia’s Top Strategic Partner BY THEA MORRISON oreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of Georgia Mikheil Janelidze stated that the United States is Georgia’s main strategic partner, adding Fthe government is doing its best to inten- sify relations with the US. Janelidze made the statement at the joint hearing of the Parliament’s Dias- pora, European Integration and Foreign Relations committees on December 20. the other. He went on to talk about the The minister positively assessed the BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI milestones of the country’s development, dynamics of Georgia-US strategic coop- regaining its independence for a short eration, adding Georgia's aim is to ensure period of time in 1918, with 2018 celebrat- bi-party support from the United States eorgian President Giorgi ing the 100-year anniversary of the fi rst towards Georgia’s development, democ- Margvelashvili and Prime Georgian republic. racy consolidation, sovereignty and ter- Minister Giorgi Kvirikash- “Our common goal is our country’s ritorial integrity, and Euro-Atlantic inte- period, much progress had been made Georgia’s breakaway regions, Abkhazia vili hosted representatives development, and ensuring peace in the gration. in mutual relations between Georgia and and South Ossetia, have been occupied of the diplomatic corps, world. There are many challenges on that "Deepening cooperation with the United the US, including the decision to submit by Russia. Ginternational organizations and Georgian path, and the civilized world stands States, our main strategic partner, is a defensive weapons to Georgia; the agree- The legislative act also imposes restric- government offi cials at a New Year recep- together in facing those challenges,” Giorgi highly important issue for the govern- ment on cooperation in secret informa- tions on US funding for any state that tion, along with an exhibition dedicated Kvirikashvili, PM of Georgia said, going ment and Foreign Ministry," Janelidze tion protection; the promotion of Geor- does not recognize Georgia's territorial to 100 years of Georgia’s independence, on to thank the soldiers participating in said. gia's Defense Readiness Program (GDRP); integrity and prohibits US representa- organized at the President’s Administra- international peace missions. The PM The Minister explained that through the deepening of cooperation in terms tives in international fi nancial institu- tion on December 19. then went on to express his gratitude to the active efforts of both parties, unprec- of trade and investment; and the involve- tions from supporting programs that The President noted that 2017 was an the diplomatic corps representatives for edented active steps were quickly made ment of American companies in large violate Georgia's territorial integrity and important year in Georgia’s history. “This their 25-year collaboration with Georgia. with the new US administration and infrastructure projects. sovereignty. year, our country made one more step Summarizing 2017, the PM noted that Congress. He said that the regular visits “The work will continue with regard Janleidze also spoke about the impor- towards major values, European devel- it was an important year for the country, of the Prime Minister, ministers and to the involvement of American compa- tance of Georgia’s joining NATO, saying opment, and towards the strengthening notably on the subject of visa liberaliza- parliamentarians, and meetings with nies in such projects, as well as in raising this will ensure the strengthening of of our democracy,” he said, stressing that tion, which, as he pointed out, was an American colleagues, including his own, the interest of American small and Georgia’s security and the stable devel- 2017 marks 25 years of Georgia being “expression of trust in Georgia from the have taken place within a very short medium businesses towards Georgia. opment of the country. recognized by the UN. “This year, Geor- European Union and an important polit- period. Cooperation with US academic circles, “Joining NATO is a crucial objective gia made one more important step towards ical step with which the European Union Janelidze spoke about the importance NGOs and research organizations and of Georgia's foreign and security policy,” European integration,” he said, empha- welcomed Georgia’s path to European of the visit of US Vice-President Mike media will continue to be active,” Janelidze the Minister said, adding that Georgia sizing that it demonstrates the trust had and Euro-Atlantic integration.” Pence to Georgia this summer, adding announced. will continue its aspirations towards the in the country from its international “The New Year is full of hope, and I it was a “clear demonstration of US The Foreign Minister mentioned the Alliance through implementation of partners on the one hand, and the achieve- would like to wish all of your countries political support towards Georgia.” legislative act signed by US President undertaken obligations and carrying out ment of the Georgian government on peace and stability,” Kvirikashvili said. The Minister said that in the recent Donald Trump in May, which states that of important reforms. European Commission: Georgia Fulfi lls Visa-Lib Benchmarks, Improvement Still Needed Continued from page 1 Georgia several recommendations, ask- ond half of 2016 and mid-2017 the trends organized criminal groups (OCGs) from various OCGs in the EU and outside the The assessment shows that all eight ing it to continue campaigns on the rules for illegal stays and refusal of entry Georgia are still reported as one of the EU, and has been emerging as a transit countries have demonstrated strong of visa-free travel, fi nalize the migration remained stable. most frequently represented non-EU country for laundered criminal proceeds. commitment to meeting the necessary analytical and risk analysis systems, The assessment also states that the nationalities involved in serious and However, the Commission underlined requirements and have undertaken operationalize the Cooperation Agree- fi gures for asylum applications by Geor- organized crime in the EU. that Georgia ensured continuous fulfi ll- important efforts to implement a num- ment concluded with Europol and con- gian nationals in the EU in the given “Georgian OCGs are highly mobile, are ment and demonstrated serious com- ber of far-reaching reforms set out under clude a cooperation agreement with period do not indicate a further increase, mainly involved in organized property mitment in preventing and fi ghting the visa-liberalization process. Eurojust, to fi nalize the reform on intel- adding that refusals of entry decreased crime (particularly organized burglaries organized crime, adding it has stepped The report, which focuses on the areas ligence-led policing, and to further by 39% and illegal stays by 3%, while and thefts) and are especially active in up cooperation at the international level. of irregular migration and readmission, strengthen cross-border law enforcement asylum applications increased by 7.2%. France, Greece, Germany, Italy and Spain,” “While, overall, Georgia has a good fi ght against corruption and money laun- and judicial cooperation. “The number of Georgian citizens the report reads. track record in implementing anti-cor- dering, as well as public order and secu- The Commission also called on Geor- ordered to leave decreased by 12% from The document also stresses that Georgia ruption reforms, particular attention rity, says that Georgia is fulfi lling its gia to adopt amendments to the anti- 6,415 in 2015 to 5,635 in 2016, while the remains a transit country for various illicit should be paid to the effective imple- benchmarks but further improvement discrimination law to ensure