Issue no: 985 • SEPT. 29 - OCT. 2, 2017 • PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50 In this week’s issue... President Calls for Consultations over Constitutional Changes NEWS PAGE 2 On the Catalan Referendum & Independent States POLITICS PAGE 6 FOCUS In Need of ON GEORGIAN Dictatorship SONG IN SPACE POLITICS PAGE 8 The anniversary of the 1977 launch of Voyager was celebrated in Tbilisi Energy in the Taste: A this week with the visit of some top NASA personnel PAGE 11 New Wine from Georgian Mountains BUSINESS PAGE 10 Service above Self: The Georgia Adopts Anti-Corruption Partnership to Save lives SOCIETY PAGE 12 Strategy & Action Plan Edward Curtis & the North BY THEA MORRISON American Indian eorgia’s Ministry of Justice (MoJ) reports that the government has con- fi rmed an Anti-Corruption Strategy CULTURE PAGE 13 and Action Plan for 2017-2018. “As a result of anti-corruption reforms, GGeorgia has achieved the greatest success among Eastern European countries in combating corrup- tion and has one of the lowest levels of corruption among European countries, a fact confi rmed by many international studies and by the recent suc- cess when Georgia became Chair of the Open Gov- ernment Partnership,” the Ministry reports. The statement reads that the complex policies and bold steps of the government in Georgia have been successful and productive in creating a trans- parent and accountable public governance system and a free environment in the country. Continued on page 2 GEORGIA TODAY 2 NEWS SEPTEMBER 29 - OCTOBER 2, 2017 President Calls for Consultations over Constitutional Changes BY THEA MORRISON he President of Georgia, Giorgi Margvelashvili, has offered the ruling Georgian Dream and opposition par- Georgia Adopts Anti- ties to start consultations Tover the constitutional changes, which will be made to the country’s main leg- islative document, adopted only a few Corruption Strategy days ago. The offer was voiced by the President’s Press Speaker, Eka Mishveladze, on Wednesday. She said the consultations & Action Plan will launch at 16:00 on Thursday. Mishveladze explained that the new Constitution adopted by Parliament on Continued from page 1 of corruption in the sphere of sports, September 25 needs some changes, add- in infrastructural projects, and in munic- ing that even the majority has expressed The Parliament of Georgia approved As for the presidential elections, “The Government of Georgia under- ipalities, are absolutely new in Georgia such a wish. the constitution draft by 117 votes on according to the new Constitution, the stands that the fi ght against corruption and their aim is to involve more sectors “We have focused on the errors many Tuesday. The amendments, which will President will be elected indirectly, by cannot be a one-time reform or time- in unifi ed anti-corruption policies,” the times. Not only the President but the come into force after the 2018 presiden- special electoral boards composed of limited process. Fighting and prevent- ministry stated. whole opposition has stressed the prob- tial election, envisage moving to a clas- 150 MPs, all members of the Supreme ing corruption is a continuous process The statement reads that the main lems together with NGOs and the Ven- sical parliamentary model. Council of the Autonomous Republics and is actively underway even now,” goals of the new strategy are: the estab- ice Commission. The governmental The changes also imply introduction and voters named by the parties accord- the MoJ said. lishment of a fair salary system in pub- team also demands changes to the of a fully proportional electoral system ing to the results of the recent local The Ministry underlines that their aim lic service, elaboration of a communi- newly-adopted constitution. As the from 2024, while the next 2020 elections self-government elections. is to increase access to information and cation strategy about corruption issues President always aimed to adopt the will still be held under the existing However, in 2018, direct presidential the involvement of citizens, improve with the public, establishment of a Constitution jointly, he offers consulta- mixed electoral system and with a one- elections will be held in order to elect the prevention mechanisms of corrup- transparent salary and bonus system tions to all,” the press speaker stated. time 3% election barrier. the president for a 6-year term. tion, utilize technologies and innova- for prosecutors, refi ning articles refer- tions in the state governance of public ring to ethics and interest confl icts in service and involve municipalities in relation to judges and prosecutors, the implementation process of the anti- implementation of an electronic pro- corruption program. gram of judicial disciplinary proceed- Japanese Tea in the Botanical Gardens The new anti-corruption strategy and ings and solving the issues of salary impending downpour could sour: with Georgia, saw Japanese Tea specialist Mit- BY MATE FOLDI action plan were elaborated by the supplements and bonuses for judges, the Japanese Quarter of the Botanical chiko Ucino host a traditional “Chanoi”, Interagency Coordinative Council with adoption of a law on freedom of infor- Gardens packed to the brim with eager demonstrating the intricate and eloquent the involvement of 38 state bodies, 14 mation, refi ning of an administrative spectators, the Ambassador Extraordi- rituals involved in the authentic Japanese Non-Governmental Organizations and mechanism to make state-covered health s the rain clouds gathered nary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to method of preparing green tea. The idea three business representatives. programs more transparent, empower- and the heavens prepared Georgia, Tadahar Uehara, opened a was to share this knowledge with attend- The new Anti-Corruption Action Plan ment of Civil Advisers’ Councils in to open over Tbilisi on unique, Japanese Tea Party in the early ees and to celebrate the unique and rich has 16 priorities, more than 60 events municipalities, improvement of control Wednesday, there was at afternoon of September 27. cultural tapestry and rituals that form and over 200 activities. mechanisms for infrastructural projects, least one spot of sunshine The event held by the Embassy of Japan Japanese identity and which have been “Three of these priorities; prevention and more. Ain the capital whose spirit not even the and the National Botanical Garden of so important to their history. International Music Festival 2017 to Open in Telavi House Museum in Tsinandali. stasia Virsaladze's classical concert post- BY THEA MORRISON This year is the 55th anniversary of the ers, dated 1940-1950. concert career of famous Georgian musi- Master classes will be also held during cian, founder and art director of the the festival by Eliso Virsaladze, Khatuna he International Music Fes- festival, Eliso Virsaladze. Kokochashvili, Giorgi Kobulashvili and tival will be opened in The 100th anniversary of the Tbilisi Daniel Austrich. Telavi, Kakheti region, on State Conservatoire is also to be cele- The festival is held by the Ministry of October 7 and will last until brated within the festival. Culture and Monument Protection of October 15. In parallel with the concerts, an exhi- Georgia, organized by Center for Protec- TOf the six concerts in the schedule, 5 will bition of posters of Eliso Virsaladze's tion, Development and Promotion of be held in the Telavi State Drama Theater concerts will be exhibited in the Telavi Classical Music. and one in the Alexander Chavchavadze theater foyer, among which will be Ana- Continued on page 4 GEORGIA TODAY SEPTEMBER 29 - OCTOBER 2, 2017 NEWS 3 Georgia Gets Ready to Report on Climate Change BY KATIE RUTH DAVIES epresentatives of the Geor- gian government, civil soci- Tbilisi to Host Digital ety and academic institu- tions attended a working meeting on September 26 Rto discuss Georgia’s regular reports to Marketing Conference the United Nations Framework Conven- tion on Climate Change (UNFCC). Eka Grigalava, Deputy Minister of igital marketing agency in digital marketing, as it is to provide Environment and Natural Resources Elliot Webber is to organ- useful information on how to make the Protection of Georgia, and Shombi ize a conference on digital fi rst steps in the sphere, or evaluate Sharp, Deputy Head of UNDP in Geor- marketing, ‘Digital Reality’ already existing digital marketing cam- gia, opened the working meeting. tion about the environmental challenges various areas. Georgia plans to uncon- to be held in Tbilisi on paigns and plan successful marketing “Georgia’s strategic response to cli- faced by the country as well as sustain- ditionally reduce Greenhouse Gas emis- DOctober 17, at Tbilisi Marriott Hotel. strategies. All conference participants mate change includes a focus on tran- able development in general in economy, sions by 15 percent below the 'business Elliot Webber’s partner agency is RBBi will receive certifi cates of attendance sitioning towards low-carbon, green infrastructure, agriculture and urban as usual' scenario. (Red Blue Blur Ideas), which is said to when the event is over. development, which will in turn bring development. Georgia’s Fourth National Communica- be one of the leading marketing agencies “For us, it’s vitally important to organ- signifi cant benefi ts to people across the The UN Framework Convention on tion and the Second Biennial Report to in the Middle East, with a successful ize this conference as the interest in country. Yet, to transform this defi ning Climate Change (UNFCC) and the Paris the Convention will be prepared with portfolio of working with such clients digital marketing is growing in Georgia developmental challenge into an oppor- Agreement are the largest international assistance from UNDP and the Global as Toyota, Qatar Airways, Honda, Mar- and there are not many such events hap- tunity, comprehensive and accurate treaties to frame the world’s response Environment Facility (GEF), in close coop- riott, Emaar, Atlantis the Palm, and Hertz, pening.