Menendez’s Trial Is a Lengthy Assignment for a New Jersey Reporter The New York Times
Day: May 14, 2024
Medical insurance for Georgia
Starting from June 1st, anyone planning to travel to Georgia for vacation or business must have medical insurance. The insurance policy should be in Georgian, English, or Russian. Failure to have insurance could result in a fine of 300 lari [approximately $111]. Armenian media outlets are reporting this news, as many Armenians spend their summer holidays on the Georgian coast of the Black Sea.
It is also reported that during the first three months of 2024, more than 191,000 people traveled from Armenia to Georgia. This is significant considering that Georgian destinations are not typically very popular during this period. During the latest meeting of the intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation between Armenia and Georgia, it was mentioned that around one million Armenian tourists visited the neighboring country in 2023.
- “Culinary diplomacy”: festival of Armenian and Georgian cuisine
- More than 2 million tourists visited Armenia for the first time
- Georgian Black Sea coast after Kakhovka – what fate awaits the sea, tourism and economy
The decision on insurance was made by the Georgian parliament in 2023
The requirement for mandatory medical insurance is stipulated in the updated ‘Tourism and Resorts’ law, which the Georgian Parliament passed at the end of 2023.
The insurance must cover at least $5,000 or €5,000 for outpatient care and $30,000 or €30,000 for inpatient care.
Tourists without insurance will be fined. If they fail to pay the fine within a month, the amount will increase to 900 lari [approximately $333].
Armenian insurance companies report that the cost of a 10-day tourist insurance policy will range from 3,700 to 4,500 drams [$9.6-11.7].
Visitor statistics
According to the National Tourism Administration of Georgia, in the first quarter of 2024, Georgia was visited by 938,644 tourists.
The leading countries in terms of tourist numbers were:
- Turkey – 254,577,
- Russia – 215,468,
- Armenia – 191,830,
- Azerbaijan – 51,466,
- Israel – 46,789 people.
The tourist flow significantly increases during the summer months. For example, in the summer of 2023, Georgia was visited by over 700,000 people from Armenia alone. The top five leaders looked as follows:
- Russia – 1,149,053,
- Turkey – 1,081,419,
- Armenia – 736,086,
- Israel – 182,651,
- Azerbaijan – 147,195 people.
“Tavush for the Homeland” rallies, led by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, continue to grow as opposition parties in parliament formulate a strategy to win a no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
Tavush for the Homeland rally, May 12, 2024 (Photo: David Ghahramanyan)
During a May 12th rally, which attracted thousands, several public figures, religious leaders and activists addressed the attendees to deliver an update on the movement while encouraging everyone to contribute to its growth.
Archbishop Galstanyan announced during the rally, “I met with independent MP Ishkhan Zakaryan to get his opinion, and he did not refuse to join the process. So, for the first time, we can say that the opposition factions have overcome the first stage, which is important to note…but two extremely important issues remain to be solved – the issue of the prime ministerial candidate and the support of the missing 18 MPs. In the coming days, we must solve these issues together.”
The opposition “Armenia” and “I Have Honor” blocs announced when marchers from Tavush reached the capital that they would bring a no-confidence vote to the National Assembly. They control 35 seats in the 107-member National Assembly, just one vote short of the requirement to formally introduce a motion of censure.
The two factions would also have to secure at least 18 more votes from deputies representing Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party. Meanwhile, Radio Free Liberty is reporting that Civil Contract lawmakers have “expressed confidence that none of their pro-government colleagues will break ranks to vote against Pashinyan” and have declared their loyalty to Pashinyan on social media. However, the Civil Contract Party has also reportedly resorted to orchestrated manipulation on social media to discredit the movement and tarnish the reputation of its main leaders, and sponsored posts in the last week have become very common among pro-government news outlets and social media pages.
Archbishop Galstanyan indicated that he will use more street protests to increase pressure on the ruling party’s parliamentary group.
Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan addressing the crowd at the Tavush for the Homeland rally, May 12, 2024 (Photo: David Ghahramanyan)
“Gradually, with patience, perseverance and faith, we will achieve the victory of truth. I want to tell you honestly, very honestly, I have been open and transparent on this stage, some have criticized me, it doesn’t matter. Yes, I am speaking very sincerely, I am ready to take any responsibility with the blessing of the Armenian Patriarch, by the will of God and by the will of our people. A candidate for prime minister cannot be a member of any party or group,” said Archbishop Galstanyan.
During the rally, Archbishop Bagrat was informed that the road to Bagratashen was closed as a sign of support for the “Tavush for the Homeland” movement.
The date for his next major rally is not yet set; it will be announced when there is more clarity on the motion of censure as well as the key question of who should replace Pashinyan as prime minister. Under the Armenian constitution, in order to trigger a no-confidence vote, parliamentary factions must simultaneously nominate a prime ministerial candidate. Galstanyan added that he will discuss potential candidates with the parliamentary opposition and supporters of the movement.
At the end of each day, movement participants gather in the courtyard of St. Anna Church to review the day’s progress. Archbishop Galstanyan then outlines the tasks for the following day.
The “Tavush for the Homeland” movement reached Yerevan for a massive rally on May 9 following a five-day march that began in Kirants, one of the villages in the northern Tavush province adjacent to the border areas that Pashinyan’s government wants to surrender to Azerbaijan. Galstanyan, for the first time, demanded Pashinian’s resignation during that rally.
Currently, the country’s main opposition forces have shown support for the Tavush protests, and it is clear that while they may not be leading the campaign, their involvement and endorsement lend significant weight to the movement. Additionally, diaspora organizations from around the world have shown their support for the movement. Cities across the globe, especially in the U.S., have organized numerous rallies to express their support and solidarity with the movement.
The post Opposition rallies continue ahead of Pashinyan no-confidence vote appeared first on The Armenian Weekly.
Categories
NPR News: 05-14-2024 5PM EDT
Clergy-Led Demonstrations Raise Concerns over Separation of Church and State in Armenia – Jamestown The Jamestown Foundation
The clergy and the opposition political forces were unable to achieve the resignation of the Prime Minister. They demanded Nikol #Pashinyan‘s resignation at a rally attended by 31,000 people 7 days ago. However, as of now, they are incapable of even starting the legal process of… pic.twitter.com/7Kb4zqaApj
— Robert Ananyan (@robananyan) May 14, 2024