Day: June 28, 2024

The Georgian National Platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum (EaP CSF GNP) welcomes EU’s decision to start the accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. The Platform congratulates to the people of Ukraine and Moldova for their “historic achievement” and stepping onto the new step on EU integration.

At the same time, the Platform notes: “We hope that Georgia will soon join their ranks. First of all, it is necessary for the Georgian Parliament to repeal the recently adopted law “On Transparency of Foreign Influence”, which is the main obstacle on the path of European integration, and to direct all efforts to the implementation of the reforms defined by the European Commission in nine steps.”

Also Read:

• 16/05/2024 – Key CSO Network Revokes Memorandum with Parliament over “Russian Law”
• 16/05/2024 – 120 CSOs Call for “Unconditional Withdrawal” of Agents Law

Georgia’s estimated real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate amounted to 9.2% for May 2024 compared to the corresponding period of the previous year, according to the rapid estimates released by the National Statistics Office of Georgia on June 28.

According to Geostat, the following activities contributed significantly to growth: information and communication; professional, scientific and technical activities; financial and insurance activities; construction; transportation; and storage.

Source: Geostat

According to Geostat, the average real GDP growth for January-May 2024 equaled 9.3%.

Also Read:

• 19/06/2024 – Georgia’s GDP Up by 8.4% in Q1’24
• 31/05/2024 – Georgia’s GDP Up by 11.8% in April 2024
• 30/04/2024 – Georgia’s GDP Up by 8.2% in March 2024
• 29/03/2024 – Georgia’s GDP Up by 9.5% in February 2024

On June 27, the European Council adopted conclusions on Ukraine, Middle East, security and defense, competitiveness, migration, foreign policy, hybrid threats, and the next institutional cycle. Among other things, the European Council expresses its “serious concern” about developments in Georgia and it “calls on Georgian authorities to clarify their intentions by reversing the current course of actions which jeopardizes Georgia’s EU path, de facto leading to a halt of accession process.”

The conclusions regarding Georgia were drawn in light of Georgia’s adoption of the highly controversial foreign agents law.

The European Council addresses recent increasing reports of intimidation, threats and physical assaults agains civil society representatives, political leaders, civil activists and journalists, and calls for an end of such cases. “It recalls that respect for the values and principles upon which the European Union is founded is essential for any country aspiring to become a member,” the European Council says.

The European Council pledges to continue to monitor the situation “closely” in the run-up to the parliamentary elections calls on the Georgian authorities to ensure that the elections are free and fair, and encourages “substantial” long-term and short-term election observation by partners.

Added to this, the European Council reaffirms its “unwavering support” for the territorial integrity of Georgia. “It reiterates its steadfast solidarity with the Georgia people and its readiness to continue supporting Georgians on their path towards a European future,” the European Council says.

Also Read:

• 2024 | Chronicle of Repression
• 24/06/2024 – HR/VP Borrell Says Georgian Government is Taking Georgia Away From EU, Announces Initial EU Response
• 24/06/2024 – HR/VP Borrell Warns EU Door Will Close for Georgia if Government Continues its Course
• 22/03/2024 – European Council Encourages Georgia to Advance on Priority Reforms

The parliamentary majority passed in the first reading an anti-LGBT legislative package consisting of a core bill “On Protection of Family Values and Minors” and 18 related amendments to various laws of Georgia. The package passed with 78 votes in favor and none against. Most opposition MPs did not attend the plenary session as they are boycotting parliamentary work after adopting the foreign agents’ law.

Parliament overrode the President’s veto on controversial amendments to the rules of procedure of the Central Election Commission (CEC), which provides that if a decision of the CEC requiring the support of at least two-thirds of its full members cannot be adopted at a meeting of the CEC, it shall be subject to a new vote at the same meeting and shall be deemed adopted if it receives the support of a majority of the full members of the CEC.

Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted a resolution on “Challenges to Democracy in Georgia” with 66 votes in favor and 4 against. Among other issues, the resolution says that the Foreign Agents Law “is bound to have an adverse effect” on the conduct of the October parliamentary, calling for its repeal “in its eternity without any delay.” The PACE resolution also criticizes the excessive use of force against demonstrators and journalists, calling for transparent investigations and accountability. 

The ruling Georgian Dream party has passed yet another controversial legislation that stokes fears about the citizens’ pensions of hundreds of millions of GEL. The amendments to the “Law on Funded Pension” were passed in its third and final reading today, June 27, with 75 votes in favor and none against. Most opposition parties did not participate in the ballot, as they were boycotting parliamentary work after the passage of the foreign agents’ law.

The UN Child Rights Committee found Georgia guilty of violating its child rights obligations by failing to take immediate action to address the frequent physical and psychological abuse of children living in a closed orphanage run by the Georgian Orthodox Church. The Committee urged Georgia to pay compensation to the victims in these cases, to issue a public apology, and to investigate the perpetrators.

The Parliament of Georgia approved the appointment of three new judges to the Supreme Court. Judges Badri Shonia and Gocha Jeiranashvili were appointed with 78 votes and their lifelong mandate will take effect from October 18 this year. Gizo Ubilova was appointed with 80 votes and his mandate will start immediately. In its statement, the judicial watchdog, Georgian Court Watch, said “With this decision, “Georgian Dream” effectively completes the process of staffing the Supreme Court with the lifetime judges it wants.“

Jeyhun Bayramov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, is visiting Georgia, where he has already met with Georgian counterpart Ilia Darchiashvili and Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili. Another meeting is scheduled with Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. According to Foreign Minister Darchiashvili, the sides discussed regional developments, economic cooperation, and the situation in the occupied territories of Georgia.

Parliament abolished fines imposed between June 23, 2021, and July 3, 2023, for violations of COVID-19 isolation, quarantine or face masks. Amendments to the law on exemption from administrative fines were fast-tracked and passed in the third reading today with 79 votes in favor and none against. The amount of fines totaled GEL 5.5 million (about USD 1.95 million).

On June 27, the Georgian Parliament approved with 77 votes the parliamentary credentials of Archil Gorduladze, a new deputy from the ruling Georgian Dream party list. Archil Gorduladze was elected as an MP to replace Giorgi Tsagareishvili, who was earlier appointed as the new Deputy Health Minister on June 19. Yesterday, June 26, the latter’s parliamentary credentials were suspended.