Day: March 18, 2024
On March 14, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg released his annual report titled “Adapting to a Critical Time.” Georgia is featured in several parts of the report including those about the Alliance’s efforts at boosting partners’ training and capacity building, the Building Integrity initiative, the NATO’s Open Door Policy, bilateral and regional partnerships, NATO’s Engagement in the South Caucasus, and Women, Peace, and Security and Human Security agendas.
The report details the Alliance’s work and achievements in 2023. The central place in the report is occupied by the ongoing Russian invasion in Ukraine , as well as the war in the Middle East and “the “greater competition from authoritarian states, including China.” The document reports on the gamut of measures taken to strengthen the Alliance’s defenses and readiness. It welcomes Finland accession as the 31st Ally, notes the Vilnius Summit results, “where the Alliance strengthened its collective defence and brought Ukraine closer to NATO”, and notes the deepening cooperation with partners.
According to the report Georgia, “one of NATO’s closest partners” and “aspiring member of the Alliance” was “significantly affected” by “the deteriorating security environment resulting from Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine”. The report says that the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package, which is the Alliance’s “main tool for practical cooperation with Georgia”, was further enhanced in 2023 in line with the Madrid Summit 2022 decisions to provide Tailored Support to Georgia.
Apart from the existing package and its 18 initiatives, the report notes that the NATO defense ministers endorsed two new initiatives in February, focusing on training facilities and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense.
As for the Alliance’s Defense and Related Security Capacity Building Initiative, the Secretary General’s report notes that it has become more relevant after Russia’s war in Ukraine, and the Alliance enhanced its Defense Capacity Building packages for Georgia as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina, with these steps further strengthening partners’ resilience against “Russian malign interference”.
The report’s sup-chapter on Open Door Policy says that the Policy has been a historic success, hailing in this context Finland’s accession and noting that at the most recent NATO Summit in Vilnius “Allies stated that Ukraine’s future is in NATO and that the Alliance will support Ukraine on its path toward future membership.” As for Georgia the report reads: “The Vilnius Summit Communique also reaffirmed that Allies remain committed to supporting the eventual NATO membership of Georgia” without explicitly mentioning the Bucharest Summit decision that Georgia will eventually become a NATO member, unlike the Secretary General’s 2022 report.
In the new subchapter titled NATO’s Engagement in South Caucasus, the report notes that NATO continued “active engagement” with the governments and civil society of the three countries through the Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, Javier Colomina. “NATO expressed support for the territorial integrity, political independence and sovereignty of each of these three partners.”
As for NATO’s bilateral and regional partnerships, the report notes that the Allies are actively engaged with 17 partner countries in the Euro-Atlantic area, and developed “specific structures” for relations with two of these partners, namely Georgia and Ukraine.
The report outlines the launch of the Peer Review process for Georgia in the framework of the NATO Building Integrity initiative, after it had submitted the Self-Assessment Questionnaire in 2022.
And finally, discussing the Alliance’s record on the Women, Peace and Security and Human Security agendas, the report notes the visit of his Special Representative for Women, Peace, and Security to Georgia in 2023.
Also Read:
The international tender for the design and construction of the marine infrastructure of the Anaklia port has been announced, the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia reported on March 18.
According to the Ministry’s press release, the tender documents have been sent to the so-called Big Four dredging companies which have extensive experience in designing and constructing marine works.: Boskalis, DEME, Jan De Nul and Van Oord.
The Ministry also said that the decision to send documents to the “Big Four” companies (which own 80 percent of the global dredging fleet) was made after consultations with the international consulting firm HAEDES B.V. This company was hired by the state-funded ‘Anaklia Seaport’ LLC “to ensure the timely, reliable, and high-quality execution of works”, as well as the preparation of technical tasks, and the selection and evaluation of submitted proposals.
The companies will be required to submit technical and financial documents, on the basis of which the winning company will be selected. The companies will have 45 days to submit the documents.
The documents will be evaluated by the special tender commission created by the “Anaklia Seaport” LLC, together with the international consultants.
“The implementation of the Anaklia Port Project will contribute to the creation of thousands of jobs, the improvement of the socio-economic situation of the local population, the increase of the competitiveness of the corridor passing through Georgia, the attraction of new cargo flows through the territory of Georgia, as well as the development of production and logistics services in the vicinity of the port,” the press release says.
Also Read:
- 22/09/2023 – Chinese-Singaporean and Swiss-Luxembourg Consortia Finalists in Anaklia Port Partnership Competition
For more background, follow our tag on Anaklia port
On March 14, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) called on Georgia to rejoin the Anti-Corruption Action Plan (IAP) peer review program, following Georgia’s decision to withdraw from the 5th round of monitoring last year. Under the program, the OECD publishes reports to assess efforts of the South Caucasus and Black Sea countries – Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, and (formerly Georgia) – to advance anti-corruption reforms and identify areas for strengthening the fight against corruption.
The Anti-Corruption Action Plan (IAP) peer review program report assesses anti-corruption reforms in the following areas: national anti-corruption policy, judicial independence, prosecutorial independence, response to corruption crimes, specialized anti-corruption institutions, business integrity, public procurement, whistleblower protection, conflicts of interest, and asset declarations.
“The 5th round of monitoring of the IAP allows countries to benchmark their progress against peers in the region and helps promote anti-corruption reforms that support European integration. Georgia, once a regional leader in anti-corruption reforms, withdrew its participation from the 5th round of monitoring. The OECD calls upon Georgia to reconsider this decision and re-join the peer review program to pursue its fight against corruption,” – OECD statement reads.
In a joint statement made on March 18, Georgian civil society organizations emphasize that Georgia is the only country that, for the first time in 20 years, didn’t participate in the fifth round of monitoring. They note that in 2021, the Georgian government made the first attempt to obstruct the OECD/ACN monitoring, and due to the criticism of anti-corruption reforms in the report, in particular the independent judiciary and prosecution component, resisted its publication.
CSOs note that the establishment of the Anti-Corruption Bureau raised hopes that Georgia would return to the peer review program, but the Bureau has failed to take responsibility. In addition, “Georgia does not have a national anti-corruption strategy and action plan for the fourth year, which directly indicates that the fight against corruption at the national level has effectively stopped,” – reads the statement.
CSOs point out that the European Commission has also asked Georgia to rejoin the program in the enlargement report, containing the nine priorities that need to be implemented to achieve EU integration, published on November 2023. “The EU has requested Georgia to repeal the decision of February 2023 to withdraw from the OECD anti-corruption monitoring network for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (OECD/ACN),” – stresses the report.
“The undersigned organizations once again urge the Government of Georgia to follow the European Commission’s recommendation to return to the OECD/ACN process and not to hinder the country’s European integration process,” – note CSOs.
Signatory organizations: Transparency International Georgia; Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA); Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI); Governance Monitoring Center (GMC).
Also Read:
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is on a visit to Georgia on March 18, in the framework of his three-day visit to the South Caucasus states.
The Secretary General Stoltenberg arrived to Tbilisi from Azerbaijan. He met with Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili and Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.
Meeting with Georgian Prime Minister
According to the Georgian Government’s press release, the meeting between PM Kobakhidze and Jens Stoltenberg focused on Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration, and the agenda of NATO-Georgia relations, as well as the future prospects of cooperation. The discussions also focused on the Black Sea security, its importance and its stability “for ensuring common Euro-Atlantic security.”
Prime Minister Kobakhidze thanked the NATO Secretary General for his support and personal commitment to Georgia’s integration into the Alliance, as well as for his support of Georgia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and policy of non-recognition.
“Glad to host Jens Stoltenberg, a good friend of Georgia in Tbilisi. As an aspirant nation, Georgia has consistently demonstrated its commitment as a reliable and capable partner of NATO, enhancing shared Euro-Atlantic security. Grateful for the Secretary General’s personal support and dedication in moving forward Georgia’s NATO integration process,” PM Kobakhidze tweeted after the meeting.
Glad to host @jensstoltenberg, a good friend of
in Tbilisi. As an aspirant nation, Georgia has consistently demonstrated its commitment as a reliable and capable partner of NATO, enhancing shared Euro-Atlantic security. Grateful for the Secretary General’s personal support and… pic.twitter.com/kAhVtFiEPs
— Irakli Kobakhidze (@PM_Kobakhidze) March 18, 2024
Joint Press Point
After the meeting, the sides made statements for press at a joint press point.
PM Kobakhidze thanked Secretary General Stoltenberg for his support of Georgia and its aspirations. “NATO remains the main guarantor of security in the world,” he emphasized. He also thanked the Secretary General and NATO for supporting Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
“Georgia is one of the Alliance’s loyal partners,” said PM Kobakhidze. Referring to Georgia’s participation in NATO-led operations, PM Kobakhidze stressed that the country “has made an important contribution to the strengthening of common Euro-Atlantic security.” He added: “NATO, for its part, has played and continues to play an important role in the development of Georgia’s defense capabilities.”
PM Kobakhidze spoke about the changing security environment in Europe and noted that “in this difficult environment, the international community must demonstrate unity and strong loyalty to the principles of international law.”
PM Kobakhidze once again thanked the NATO Secretary General for his visit to Georgia, saying that it was another very strong confirmation of his support for Georgia.
“Georgia is one of NATO’s closest partners,” Stoltenberg said, adding: “We greatly appreciate your substantial contributions to NATO nations and operations.” He also reiterated NATO’s full support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. “South Ossetia and Abkhazia are part of Georgia,” he said.
The Secretary General condemned the fact that Russia’s recent presidential elections were held in the occupied territories of Georgia and Ukraine, calling them “completely illegal.” He added: “Russia’s presidential elections was clearly neither free nor fair.”
Jens Stoltenberg emphasized that “Georgia faces complex security challenges” in the face of Russia’s “imperial ambitions” and Ukraine’s “difficult situation” on the battlefield. “So, it is vital that we continue to step up our support,” he said, stressing that “NATO allies provide 99 percent of all military aid to Ukraine,” adding that the NATO partners also play a “key role.”
The Secretary General welcomed Georgia’s contribution in hosting Ukrainian refugees and providing “crucial” humanitarian and financial assistance.
The NATO chief also said that during the meeting with the Georgian Prime Minister, the sides discussed the security of the Black Sea, “which matters for both, Georgian and for NATO.” He also stressed that the risks posed by Russia threaten the world’s food supply. Meanwhile, he noted that Ukraine, with NATO support, has pushed back and succeeded, leading to the resumption of grain exports.
“NATO’s partnership with Georgia is already strong,” the Secretary General said, noting that the meeting discussed ways to further strengthen it. He welcomed the progress made in various areas, mentioning in particular crisis management, cybersecurity and military technology.
“NATO stands by your side as you continue your path towards stronger democracy and full Euro-Atlantic integration, including the 2008 Bucharest decision that Georgia will become the member of the NATO alliance,” Stoltenberg said.
The NATO chief also stressed the importance of granting Georgia EU candidate status, saying: “What you do to move toward EU membership goes hand in hand with efforts to become a NATO Ally.”
Finally, he underscored the importance for Georgia to strengthen domestic reforms, democratic values and the rule of law, “including through free and fair parliamentary elections in October this year,” he said.
Meeting with Georgian President
Following the meeting with PM Kobakhidze, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met with Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili.
According to the press release of the President’s administration, the parties discussed the process of Georgia’s integration into the European and Euro-Atlantic structures and the country’s progress on this path.
The discussions focused on the war in Ukraine, Russia’s aggression and the importance and necessity of the international community’s solidarity with Ukraine. Against the background of the war in Ukraine and Russia’s aggression, the sides stressed the importance of the security of the Black Sea.
The NATO chief reiterated his unwavering support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
During the meeting they also discussed the Russian elections in the occupied territories of Georgia. President Zurabishvili emphasized that this was a “flagrant violation of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and a complete contradiction of international norms.”
President Zurabishvili emphasized the situation in the occupied territories, focusing on the issues of transfer of Bichvinta land to Russia, Russia’s plan to open a permanent military naval base in Ochamchire and Sokhumi airport.
Also Read:
On March 14, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg released his annual report titled “Adapting to a Critical Time.” Georgia is featured in several parts of the report including those about the Alliance’s efforts at boosting partners’ training and capacity building, the Building Integrity initiative, the NATO’s Open Door Policy, bilateral and regional partnerships, NATO’s Engagement in the South Caucasus, and Women, Peace, and Security and Human Security agendas.
The report details the Alliance’s work and achievements in 2023. The central place in the report is occupied by the ongoing Russian invasion in Ukraine , as well as the war in the Middle East and “the “greater competition from authoritarian states, including China.” The document reports on the gamut of measures taken to strengthen the Alliance’s defenses and readiness. It welcomes Finland accession as the 31st Ally, notes the Vilnius Summit results, “where the Alliance strengthened its collective defence and brought Ukraine closer to NATO”, and notes the deepening cooperation with partners.
According to the report Georgia, “one of NATO’s closest partners” and “aspiring member of the Alliance” was “significantly affected” by “the deteriorating security environment resulting from Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine”. The report says that the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package, which is the Alliance’s “main tool for practical cooperation with Georgia”, was further enhanced in 2023 in line with the Madrid Summit 2022 decisions to provide Tailored Support to Georgia.
Apart from the existing package and its 18 initiatives, the report notes that the NATO defense ministers endorsed two new initiatives in February, focusing on training facilities and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense.
As for the Alliance’s Defense and Related Security Capacity Building Initiative, the Secretary General’s report notes that it has become more relevant after Russia’s war in Ukraine, and the Alliance enhanced its Defense Capacity Building packages for Georgia as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina, with these steps further strengthening partners’ resilience against “Russian malign interference”.
The report’s sup-chapter on Open Door Policy says that the Policy has been a historic success, hailing in this context Finland’s accession and noting that at the most recent NATO Summit in Vilnius “Allies stated that Ukraine’s future is in NATO and that the Alliance will support Ukraine on its path toward future membership.” As for Georgia the report reads: “The Vilnius Summit Communique also reaffirmed that Allies remain committed to supporting the eventual NATO membership of Georgia” without explicitly mentioning the Bucharest Summit decision that Georgia will eventually become a NATO member, unlike the Secretary General’s 2022 report.
In the new subchapter titled NATO’s Engagement in South Caucasus, the report notes that NATO continued “active engagement” with the governments and civil society of the three countries through the Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, Javier Colomina. “NATO expressed support for the territorial integrity, political independence and sovereignty of each of these three partners.”
As for NATO’s bilateral and regional partnerships, the report notes that the Allies are actively engaged with 17 partner countries in the Euro-Atlantic area, and developed “specific structures” for relations with two of these partners, namely Georgia and Ukraine.
The report outlines the launch of the Peer Review process for Georgia in the framework of the NATO Building Integrity initiative, after it had submitted the Self-Assessment Questionnaire in 2022.
And finally, discussing the Alliance’s record on the Women, Peace and Security and Human Security agendas, the report notes the visit of his Special Representative for Women, Peace, and Security to Georgia in 2023.
Also Read:
The international tender for the design and construction of the marine infrastructure of the Anaklia port has been announced, the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia reported on March 18.
According to the Ministry’s press release, the tender documents have been sent to the so-called Big Four dredging companies which have extensive experience in designing and constructing marine works.: Boskalis, DEME, Jan De Nul and Van Oord.
The Ministry also said that the decision to send documents to the “Big Four” companies (which own 80 percent of the global dredging fleet) was made after consultations with the international consulting firm HAEDES B.V. This company was hired by the state-funded ‘Anaklia Seaport’ LLC “to ensure the timely, reliable, and high-quality execution of works”, as well as the preparation of technical tasks, and the selection and evaluation of submitted proposals.
The companies will be required to submit technical and financial documents, on the basis of which the winning company will be selected. The companies will have 45 days to submit the documents.
The documents will be evaluated by the special tender commission created by the “Anaklia Seaport” LLC, together with the international consultants.
“The implementation of the Anaklia Port Project will contribute to the creation of thousands of jobs, the improvement of the socio-economic situation of the local population, the increase of the competitiveness of the corridor passing through Georgia, the attraction of new cargo flows through the territory of Georgia, as well as the development of production and logistics services in the vicinity of the port,” the press release says.
Also Read:
- 22/09/2023 – Chinese-Singaporean and Swiss-Luxembourg Consortia Finalists in Anaklia Port Partnership Competition
For more background, follow our tag on Anaklia port
On March 14, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) called on Georgia to rejoin the Anti-Corruption Action Plan (IAP) peer review program, following Georgia’s decision to withdraw from the 5th round of monitoring last year. Under the program, the OECD publishes reports to assess efforts of the South Caucasus and Black Sea countries – Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, and (formerly Georgia) – to advance anti-corruption reforms and identify areas for strengthening the fight against corruption.
The Anti-Corruption Action Plan (IAP) peer review program report assesses anti-corruption reforms in the following areas: national anti-corruption policy, judicial independence, prosecutorial independence, response to corruption crimes, specialized anti-corruption institutions, business integrity, public procurement, whistleblower protection, conflicts of interest, and asset declarations.
“The 5th round of monitoring of the IAP allows countries to benchmark their progress against peers in the region and helps promote anti-corruption reforms that support European integration. Georgia, once a regional leader in anti-corruption reforms, withdrew its participation from the 5th round of monitoring. The OECD calls upon Georgia to reconsider this decision and re-join the peer review program to pursue its fight against corruption,” – OECD statement reads.
In a joint statement made on March 18, Georgian civil society organizations emphasize that Georgia is the only country that, for the first time in 20 years, didn’t participate in the fifth round of monitoring. They note that in 2021, the Georgian government made the first attempt to obstruct the OECD/ACN monitoring, and due to the criticism of anti-corruption reforms in the report, in particular the independent judiciary and prosecution component, resisted its publication.
CSOs note that the establishment of the Anti-Corruption Bureau raised hopes that Georgia would return to the peer review program, but the Bureau has failed to take responsibility. In addition, “Georgia does not have a national anti-corruption strategy and action plan for the fourth year, which directly indicates that the fight against corruption at the national level has effectively stopped,” – reads the statement.
CSOs point out that the European Commission has also asked Georgia to rejoin the program in the enlargement report, containing the nine priorities that need to be implemented to achieve EU integration, published on November 2023. “The EU has requested Georgia to repeal the decision of February 2023 to withdraw from the OECD anti-corruption monitoring network for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (OECD/ACN),” – stresses the report.
“The undersigned organizations once again urge the Government of Georgia to follow the European Commission’s recommendation to return to the OECD/ACN process and not to hinder the country’s European integration process,” – note CSOs.
Signatory organizations: Transparency International Georgia; Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA); Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI); Governance Monitoring Center (GMC).
Also Read:
Categories
NATO Chief Visits Georgia
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is on a visit to Georgia on March 18, in the framework of his three-day visit to the South Caucasus states.
The Secretary General Stoltenberg arrived to Tbilisi from Azerbaijan. He met with Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili and Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.
Meeting with Georgian Prime Minister
According to the Georgian Government’s press release, the meeting between PM Kobakhidze and Jens Stoltenberg focused on Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration, and the agenda of NATO-Georgia relations, as well as the future prospects of cooperation. The discussions also focused on the Black Sea security, its importance and its stability “for ensuring common Euro-Atlantic security.”
Prime Minister Kobakhidze thanked the NATO Secretary General for his support and personal commitment to Georgia’s integration into the Alliance, as well as for his support of Georgia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and policy of non-recognition.
“Glad to host Jens Stoltenberg, a good friend of Georgia in Tbilisi. As an aspirant nation, Georgia has consistently demonstrated its commitment as a reliable and capable partner of NATO, enhancing shared Euro-Atlantic security. Grateful for the Secretary General’s personal support and dedication in moving forward Georgia’s NATO integration process,” PM Kobakhidze tweeted after the meeting.
Glad to host @jensstoltenberg, a good friend of
— Irakli Kobakhidze (@PM_Kobakhidze) March 18, 2024
Joint Press Point
After the meeting, the sides made statements for press at a joint press point.
PM Kobakhidze thanked Secretary General Stoltenberg for his support of Georgia and its aspirations. “NATO remains the main guarantor of security in the world,” he emphasized. He also thanked the Secretary General and NATO for supporting Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
“Georgia is one of the Alliance’s loyal partners,” said PM Kobakhidze. Referring to Georgia’s participation in NATO-led operations, PM Kobakhidze stressed that the country “has made an important contribution to the strengthening of common Euro-Atlantic security.” He added: “NATO, for its part, has played and continues to play an important role in the development of Georgia’s defense capabilities.”
PM Kobakhidze spoke about the changing security environment in Europe and noted that “in this difficult environment, the international community must demonstrate unity and strong loyalty to the principles of international law.”
PM Kobakhidze once again thanked the NATO Secretary General for his visit to Georgia, saying that it was another very strong confirmation of his support for Georgia.
“Georgia is one of NATO’s closest partners,” Stoltenberg said, adding: “We greatly appreciate your substantial contributions to NATO nations and operations.” He also reiterated NATO’s full support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. “South Ossetia and Abkhazia are part of Georgia,” he said.
The Secretary General condemned the fact that Russia’s recent presidential elections were held in the occupied territories of Georgia and Ukraine, calling them “completely illegal.” He added: “Russia’s presidential elections was clearly neither free nor fair.”
Jens Stoltenberg emphasized that “Georgia faces complex security challenges” in the face of Russia’s “imperial ambitions” and Ukraine’s “difficult situation” on the battlefield. “So, it is vital that we continue to step up our support,” he said, stressing that “NATO allies provide 99 percent of all military aid to Ukraine,” adding that the NATO partners also play a “key role.”
The Secretary General welcomed Georgia’s contribution in hosting Ukrainian refugees and providing “crucial” humanitarian and financial assistance.
The NATO chief also said that during the meeting with the Georgian Prime Minister, the sides discussed the security of the Black Sea, “which matters for both, Georgian and for NATO.” He also stressed that the risks posed by Russia threaten the world’s food supply. Meanwhile, he noted that Ukraine, with NATO support, has pushed back and succeeded, leading to the resumption of grain exports.
“NATO’s partnership with Georgia is already strong,” the Secretary General said, noting that the meeting discussed ways to further strengthen it. He welcomed the progress made in various areas, mentioning in particular crisis management, cybersecurity and military technology.
“NATO stands by your side as you continue your path towards stronger democracy and full Euro-Atlantic integration, including the 2008 Bucharest decision that Georgia will become the member of the NATO alliance,” Stoltenberg said.
The NATO chief also stressed the importance of granting Georgia EU candidate status, saying: “What you do to move toward EU membership goes hand in hand with efforts to become a NATO Ally.”
Finally, he underscored the importance for Georgia to strengthen domestic reforms, democratic values and the rule of law, “including through free and fair parliamentary elections in October this year,” he said.
Meeting with Georgian President
Following the meeting with PM Kobakhidze, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met with Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili.
According to the press release of the President’s administration, the parties discussed the process of Georgia’s integration into the European and Euro-Atlantic structures and the country’s progress on this path.
The discussions focused on the war in Ukraine, Russia’s aggression and the importance and necessity of the international community’s solidarity with Ukraine. Against the background of the war in Ukraine and Russia’s aggression, the sides stressed the importance of the security of the Black Sea.
The NATO chief reiterated his unwavering support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
During the meeting they also discussed the Russian elections in the occupied territories of Georgia. President Zurabishvili emphasized that this was a “flagrant violation of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and a complete contradiction of international norms.”
President Zurabishvili emphasized the situation in the occupied territories, focusing on the issues of transfer of Bichvinta land to Russia, Russia’s plan to open a permanent military naval base in Ochamchire and Sokhumi airport.
Also Read: