The increase in investment returns is also a subtle indicator of policy success. Over the past few years, the Azerbaijani government has taken steps to modernize financial regulations and encourage long-term savings. Tax incentives, digital infrastructure upgrades, and the expansion of regulatory oversight by the Central Bank and the Financial Markets Supervisory Authority have laid the groundwork for more dynamic financial intermediation. The rise in investment income by insurers is one of the first real dividends of these reforms.
Day: May 15, 2025
Georgian Dream Parliament on May 14 passed, in an expedited manner, amendments to the Law on Diplomatic Service, with 87 votes in favor. The passage happened just 10 days after the changes were introduced.
The amendments establish a legal basis for the early termination of diplomatic postings for officials who violate ethical standards or act against the government’s officially declared foreign policy. The changes also allow for extending rotation periods for diplomatic and administrative staff by up to one year. Additionally, the law now mandates performance evaluations for these employees at least twice a year, replacing the previous requirement of one annual review.
The changes were widely decried as they were perceived to target the employees who signed the joint statement in support of the European and Euro-Atlantic course and condemned the GD’s U-turn on the European membership process. The statement said the GD decision contradicts the requirements of Article 78 of the Constitution of Georgia.
The legislative changes come amid an ongoing reorganization at the Foreign Ministry, which is expected to result in the dismissal of hundreds of employees and structural changes within the institution.
In a separate controversial development on the diplomatic front, the Georgian government said on May 14 that it has withdrawn its support for Zurab Pololikashvili’s bid for a third term as secretary-general of the United Nations World Tourism Organization. Pololikashvili, who has held the post since 2018, was preparing to run again this year. The government announced on May 14 that it will instead back the candidate nominated by the United Arab Emirates. Officials claimed the decision to withdraw Pololikashvili’s candidacy was made at his own request.
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The photo is preserved in the National Archives of Georgia.” #GeorgianPhotography 3/3
— Notes from Georgia/South Caucasus (Hälbig, Ralph) (@SouthCaucasus) May 15, 2025
It is noteworthy that the writer writes in a “Small Note” published in the “Public Page” in 1912 that he was born on May 15, 1862 (May 27 in the new style) and requests that the incorrect date (July 14) be corrected in his biography. 2/3
— Notes from Georgia/South Caucasus (Hälbig, Ralph) (@SouthCaucasus) May 15, 2025
New single by Sherekilebi “Kartan Modga Shemodgoma” via Nicka Tseretely
https://t.co/EkWWg274dM via @YouTube— Notes from Georgia/South Caucasus (Hälbig, Ralph) (@SouthCaucasus) May 15, 2025
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a crucial meeting ahead of the Russia–Ukraine peace summit scheduled for tomorrow in Istanbul. He met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the Presidential Complex. The discussions covered Turkiye–NATO relations, developments in the Russia–Ukraine war, and broader regional and global issues.
We are waiting for you at 17:00, don’t be late, the exhibition will open with a performance.
State Silk Museum | G. Tsabadze Street #6
7/7#GeorgianArt pic.twitter.com/4aOmdGMk4r
— Notes from Georgia/South Caucasus (Hälbig, Ralph) (@SouthCaucasus) May 15, 2025
Many thanks to the women of Adjara and all those people who supported me in the preservation of cultural heritage and the development of the project!
Special thanks to Eclipse Winery • მეღვინეობა ეკლიპსე • Eclipse Winery Shalva Khetsuriani6/7
— Notes from Georgia/South Caucasus (Hälbig, Ralph) (@SouthCaucasus) May 15, 2025
At the opening, we will offer you a performance with the participation of extraordinary dancers Nina Gogua, Natia Bunturi and Tea Darchia.
5/7
— Notes from Georgia/South Caucasus (Hälbig, Ralph) (@SouthCaucasus) May 15, 2025