The Asian Development Bank’s outlook for Central and West Asia remains very positive, Evgeniy Zhukov, Director General of the ADB Regional Department for Central and Western Asia, said during a briefing in Tbilisi, Report informs.
Day: May 4, 2024
On May 1, the ruling Georgian Dream party passed the Foreign Agents Law in its second reading amid ongoing mass protests and heavy criticism from Georgia’s good old partners. All 83 Georgian Dream MPs voted in favor of the controversial law and 23 against it, sparking mass demonstrations outside the parliament, and clashes between protesters and police.
Passage of the Law in the second hearing was followed by the tumultuous nights of protests marked by excessive police violence against peaceful demonstrators. The Interior Ministry reported the arrest of 63 people during the protest near the parliament. During the long tense night, many protesters were injured, as riot police used tear gas, water cannons, and pepper spray against citizens.
Levan Khabeishvili, Chair of the leading opposition United National Movement (UNM) party, was severely beaten by police during the April 30 – May 1 protests against the Foreign Agents Law. The next day, as Parliament continued its second reading of the infamous foreign agent’s law, Khabeishvili arrived in parliament in a wheelchair, despite strong recommendations that he be hospitalized. GD lawmakers regretted the violence but said that Khabeishvili provoked the incident.
Public Defender as well as two leading watchdogs Transparency International-Georgia and Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association issued statements regarding the violent dispersal of peaceful demonstrators, qualifying the use of force against the demonstrators by the law enforcers as “disproportionate.” The CSOs also condemned April 30-May 1 crackdown on protesters, saying that the dispersal was “unlawful” and “disproportionate.”
The violent dispersal of demonstrators by police sparked an even larger wave of protests, which brought tens of thousands of citizens onto the streets the next day. As protesters tried to block the side entrances of the parliament police started using water cannons, tear gas, and pepper spray, followed by the use of force and arrests.
Despite the Easter holidays, thousands of people equipped with gas masks continue to gather every evening near the parliament, marching through the capital, and blocking various streets, including the surroundings of Heroes’ Square and the right bank of river Mtkvari where the justice ministry and the Georgian Dream headquarters are located.
In a statement issued on May 2, US Ambassador Robin Dunnigan revealed that the US side recently “invited senior members of the Georgian Government to engage directly with the most senior leaders in the United States to discuss our strategic partnership and any concerns with US assistance “ but, she noted, “unfortunately, the Georgian side chose not to accept this invitation.” U.S. Ambassador expressed “deep concern” over decisions made in recent weeks by the Georgian government that have “moved the country away from its Euro-Atlantic future.”
In response to Dunnigan’s statement, the foreign ministry stated that the invitation to discuss the strategic partnership extended by the U.S. leaders was made by the U.S. “on the condition that the Georgian Parliament suspending the process debate on the “Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence” prior to the visit” and thus “not in conformity with the spirit of partnership” between the two countries.
In a very Russian manner, the foreign ministry also rebuked French criticism, saying it “lacked objectivity” and reminded that Tbilisi refrained from “making critical statements about France, even when in Paris the law enforcers confronted the protesters with brutal methods, contrary to the universal human rights standards.”
Further cementing the government’s anti-Western stance, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze lashed out at the May 2 statement by the US State Department Counselor Derek Challet which urged the Georgian government to recommit the country to the Euro-Atlantic future, by explicitly accusing the US of “two revolutionary attempts” in 2020-2023 “supported by former US Ambassador.” He further claimed that had these attempts been successful “the second front line would have been opened in Georgia.”
On May 3, President Salome Zurabishvili vetoed recently passed controversial amendments to the tax code that would make it easier to bring offshore assets into Georgia. The amendments, passed by the ruling Georgian Dream party under a fast-track procedure on April 19, offer a wide range of tax benefits to companies and individuals who decide to move their assets from tax havens to Georgia.
Categories
The Daily Beat: 3 May
On May 1, the ruling Georgian Dream party passed the Foreign Agents Law in its second reading amid ongoing mass protests and heavy criticism from Georgia’s good old partners. All 83 Georgian Dream MPs voted in favor of the controversial law and 23 against it, sparking mass demonstrations outside the parliament, and clashes between protesters and police.
Passage of the Law in the second hearing was followed by the tumultuous nights of protests marked by excessive police violence against peaceful demonstrators. The Interior Ministry reported the arrest of 63 people during the protest near the parliament. During the long tense night, many protesters were injured, as riot police used tear gas, water cannons, and pepper spray against citizens.
Levan Khabeishvili, Chair of the leading opposition United National Movement (UNM) party, was severely beaten by police during the April 30 – May 1 protests against the Foreign Agents Law. The next day, as Parliament continued its second reading of the infamous foreign agent’s law, Khabeishvili arrived in parliament in a wheelchair, despite strong recommendations that he be hospitalized. GD lawmakers regretted the violence but said that Khabeishvili provoked the incident.
Public Defender as well as two leading watchdogs Transparency International-Georgia and Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association issued statements regarding the violent dispersal of peaceful demonstrators, qualifying the use of force against the demonstrators by the law enforcers as “disproportionate.” The CSOs also condemned April 30-May 1 crackdown on protesters, saying that the dispersal was “unlawful” and “disproportionate.”
The violent dispersal of demonstrators by police sparked an even larger wave of protests, which brought tens of thousands of citizens onto the streets the next day. As protesters tried to block the side entrances of the parliament police started using water cannons, tear gas, and pepper spray, followed by the use of force and arrests.
Despite the Easter holidays, thousands of people equipped with gas masks continue to gather every evening near the parliament, marching through the capital, and blocking various streets, including the surroundings of Heroes’ Square and the right bank of river Mtkvari where the justice ministry and the Georgian Dream headquarters are located.
In a statement issued on May 2, US Ambassador Robin Dunnigan revealed that the US side recently “invited senior members of the Georgian Government to engage directly with the most senior leaders in the United States to discuss our strategic partnership and any concerns with US assistance “ but, she noted, “unfortunately, the Georgian side chose not to accept this invitation.” U.S. Ambassador expressed “deep concern” over decisions made in recent weeks by the Georgian government that have “moved the country away from its Euro-Atlantic future.”
In response to Dunnigan’s statement, the foreign ministry stated that the invitation to discuss the strategic partnership extended by the U.S. leaders was made by the U.S. “on the condition that the Georgian Parliament suspending the process debate on the “Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence” prior to the visit” and thus “not in conformity with the spirit of partnership” between the two countries.
In a very Russian manner, the foreign ministry also rebuked French criticism, saying it “lacked objectivity” and reminded that Tbilisi refrained from “making critical statements about France, even when in Paris the law enforcers confronted the protesters with brutal methods, contrary to the universal human rights standards.”
Further cementing the government’s anti-Western stance, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze lashed out at the May 2 statement by the US State Department Counselor Derek Challet which urged the Georgian government to recommit the country to the Euro-Atlantic future, by explicitly accusing the US of “two revolutionary attempts” in 2020-2023 “supported by former US Ambassador.” He further claimed that had these attempts been successful “the second front line would have been opened in Georgia.”
On May 3, President Salome Zurabishvili vetoed recently passed controversial amendments to the tax code that would make it easier to bring offshore assets into Georgia. The amendments, passed by the ruling Georgian Dream party under a fast-track procedure on April 19, offer a wide range of tax benefits to companies and individuals who decide to move their assets from tax havens to Georgia.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree on the establishment of the Khankendi City Prosecutor’s Office, according to Azerbaijan in Focus, reporting Trend.
According to the decree, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan, in connection with the establishment of the Khankendi City Prosecutor’s Office, should take the necessary measures to solve the issues of providing this structure with a building, equipment, communication, transportation means, and other material and technical means, as well as other issues arising from this decree.
The post Azerbaijan establishes prosecutor’s office in Khankendi city appeared first on Azerbaijan In Focus.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed the law “On Approval of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Türkiye on the Abolition of Double Taxation in Respect of Taxes on Income and Prevention of Tax Evasion”, according to Azerbaijan in Focus, reporting Trend.
According to the document, the “Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Türkiye on the Abolition of Double Taxation in Respect of Taxes on Income and Prevention of Tax Evasion” signed on February 19, 2024, in Ankara was approved.
Besides, the head of state signed the law “On Approval of Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Türkiye on cooperation in the field of veterinary medicine”.
The document approves the “Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Türkiye on cooperation in the field of veterinary medicine” signed on February 19, 2024, in Ankara.
The post President Ilham Aliyev approves agreements signed with Türkiye appeared first on Azerbaijan In Focus.
As part of the visit to Azerbaijan’s Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur regions, the delegation of Norwegian “Vagaclub” organization consisting of 30 international travelers observed the process of mine neutralization in Jojug Marjanli village of Jabrayil district, according to Azerbaijan in Focus, reporting AzerTac.
They were informed about the contamination of Azerbaijani territories with mines by Armenia, as well as the process of clearing mines and other ordnance.
The travelers’ attention was drawn to the fact that Jabrayil district is considered one of the most polluted areas with mines and unexploded military ammunition.
Then, the international travelers observed the demining process in the area.
During the three-day trip, the delegation visited Fuzuli, Khojavand, Shusha, Aghdam, Kalbajar, Lachin, Zangilan and Jabrayil districts of Azerbaijan.
Over the past four years, the large delegations of the major international travel networks, such as ETIC, MTP, TCC, NomadMania and the Turkish Travel Club, as well as Turkish travelers club, British “Piki Reels”, Swedish “Club 100” have visited Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur nine times.
The post International travelers observe demining process in Azerbaijan’s Jabrayil district appeared first on Azerbaijan In Focus.
The Organizing Committee of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change held its third meeting on May 4, according to Azerbaijan in Focus, reporting AzerTac.
Samir Nuriyev, Head of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Chairman of the Organizing Committee, outlined the progress made in preparation for COP29 since the first meeting and also explained the Action Plan for COP29.
Nuriyev announced that the logo and slogan for COP29 had been determined. The slogan chosen is “Let’s Unite for a Green World.” The Chairman also noted that COP29 and the Leaders’ Summit will take place at the Baku Olympic Stadium, where design and preparation work is already underway. Samir Nuriyev mentioned that letters of invitation regarding the event by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev were conveyed to the heads of state and government of the countries that are parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Samir Nuriyev said that the President of Azerbaijan highlighted the key directions reflecting the position of the country on COP29 and climate change issues at the international forum themed “COP29 and Green Vision for Azerbaijan”, Petersburg Climate Dialogue and 6th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue.
The Chairman of the Organizing Committee underscored that Azerbaijan had actively participated in important international events in the field of climate change, including the World Bank’s Spring Session in Washington and the Petersburg Climate Dialogue, stressing the importance of serious preparations for the Bonn climate change conference scheduled to be held in June.
Highlighting the Azerbaijan’s priorities during COP29, Samir Nuriyev pointed out that the preparation of the COP29 Chairmanship Action Agenda is in the final stage.
The Chairman of the Organizing Committee underlined the official website of COP29 had been launched, adding that the COP29 process is widely covered in the local media, with active work done with foreign media, and interviews of the COP29 team published in prestigious international publications.
Samir Nuriyev also highlighted the work carried out the in the country regarding the “Green World Solidarity Year.”
Then, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, President-Designate of COP29, Mukhtar Babayev spoke about the preparatory process of Azerbaijan’s COP Presidency, the visits of the COP29 team to foreign countries and their meetings.
Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Anar Alakbarov provided insight into the organizational and logistic arrangements in preparations for COP29.
Minister of Health Teymur Musayev said that the preliminary list of public and private health institutions to be involved as providers of medical services during COP29 had been determined, adding that health volunteers will be also involved in the activities of health facilities and emergency medical service Call Center.
Member of the Milli Majlis Sevinj Fataliyeva provided information about the works accomplished at the parliamentary level regarding COP29, including the active cooperation between the Milli Majlis and the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
Deputy Head of the Department of Foreign Policy Affairs of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Head of the COP29 Organizing Committee Secretariat Habib Mikayilli highlighted the activities of the Secretariat, coordination of the work of state bodies, institutional support provided to the COP29 Presidency team, and communication issues.
Deputy Minister of Energy, Chief Executive Officer of COP29 Azerbaijan Elnur Sultanov shed light on Azerbaijan’s Nationally Determined Contributions, as well as the work carried out with the private sector and youth.
Founder of the “SmartNation” platform Shabnam Mammadova touched upon the role of innovation and smart technologies in the fight against climate change.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, COP29 Lead Negotiator Yalchin Rafiyev provided insight into the initiatives included in the Action Agenda of the COP29 Presidency, deliberations with various countries and negotiation groups, and preparations for the negotiation process.
Chairman of the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ulvi Mehdiyev spoke about the facilitation of visa procedures for those who will attend the COP29.
Chairperson of the Board of the “EkoSfera” Socio-Ecological Center Firuza Sultanzade mentioned the role of civil society at COP29 and the participation of environmental NGOs in the event.
At the conclusion of the meeting, tasks were assigned for the implementation of the Action Plan and other pertinent matters concerning the organization and hosting of COP29.
The post Organizing Committee regarding COP29 convenes third meeting appeared first on Azerbaijan In Focus.