Day: July 21, 2026
Rustaveli Avenue, Tbilisi’s central thoroughfare and the main site of protests in Georgia, will undergo full rehabilitation beginning on July 23, with traffic closed for the duration of the works, which are expected to be completed by the end of November, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze announced on July 21.
According to Kaladze, vehicular traffic will be fully closed on Rustaveli Avenue, as well as the adjacent section of Merab Kostava Street. The rehabilitation will cover the approximately two-kilometer stretch between Tamar Chovelidze Street and Liberty Square.
The start of the works comes amid ongoing anti-government protests on Rustaveli Avenue outside the Parliament building, where demonstrators have rallied daily against the ruling Georgian Dream government since November 28, 2024, when it announced it was suspending the country’s EU accession process until 2028. The daily demonstrations have recently passed 600 days.
Kaladze said the project fulfils one of his pre-election promises, describing Rustaveli Avenue as the capital’s “visiting card” that should become “a modern, safe, and comfortable space.”
“Rustaveli Avenue is our capital’s visiting card, both visually and historically, which has seen a lot of joy, victory, pain, or grief, and it must be well-ordered and modern, so that visitors coming to our country, as well as the local population, can feel a sense of pride,” Kaladze said.
The mayor said previous tenders had failed because no companies submitted bids, but that a contractor has now been selected. According to Business Media Georgia (bm.ge), Tbilisi City Hall earlier this month awarded the GEL 20 million rehabilitation contract to LLC Smart Solutions, the sole bidder in the procurement process.
Kaladze said the project will include replacing water, sewerage, storm drainage, and gas infrastructure, moving overhead utility lines underground, installing underground waste containers, renewing sidewalks and asphalt, upgrading street lighting to LED systems, restoring green spaces, installing pedestrian crossings, road signs and lane markings, and improving accessibility for people with disabilities.
The works, to be carried out by Tbilisi City Hall’s Urban Infrastructure Development Service, are expected to be completed within four months, by the end of November.
The announcement comes as the anti-government demonstrations continue on Rustaveli Avenue, a historic protest site, despite declining participation and a series of legislative changes restricting protest activity. The current rules prohibit not only blocking traffic road but also obstructing the “free movement of people,” extending the offense to pedestrian areas.
Several protesters have been sent administrative detention after courts found them guilty of obstructing pedestrian movement while demonstrating on the sidewalk outside Parliament on Rustaveli Avenue.
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Tourist arrivals in Armenia reach record high
Armenia‘s tourism sector has reported a new record. The country welcomed 1.042 million tourists in the first half of 2026. According to Sona Hovhannisyan, head of the International Cooperation Department, the number of tourists who visited Armenia between January and June was 14.8% higher than during the same period last year.
Although this is the highest figure on record, the Tourism Committee expects to break the record again by the end of the year. Officials expect the number of tourists to surpass last year’s total of 2.2 million visitors.
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Main sources of tourist arrivals
According to the Tourism Committee, visitors from Russia, Georgia and Iran have made up the largest share of tourists travelling to Armenia for many years. As of June this year, that pattern had not changed. The figures are as follows:
- Around 40% of all visitors came from Russia,
- 15% from Georgia,
- 8% from Iran.
Compared with the three leading source markets, visitor numbers from other countries remain relatively low. According to Sona Hovhannisyan, head of the International Cooperation Department, several factors explain why tourists from these countries account for the largest share of arrivals:
“Iran and Georgia are Armenia’s closest neighbours, while Armenia has historical ties with Russia. It is also important that people can travel to Armenia from these countries relatively quickly. The presence of Armenian diaspora communities in these countries also plays a role.”
Hovhannisyan said countries with direct flights to Armenia, as well as those whose citizens benefit from simplified visa rules, have seen growing numbers of visitors. She cited China as an example, saying the sharp increase in Chinese tourists followed the launch of direct flights between Urumqi and Yerevan, along with the introduction of a visa-free regime.
Hovhannisyan also explained what has driven growth from other countries:
“The significant increase in the number of tourists from Italy is due to the expansion of flights between our countries. The same factor has influenced arrivals from Germany, where visitor numbers had previously declined. The launch of a direct flight from Kazakhstan has also boosted tourist flows.”
Armenia has also recently become a more popular destination for tourists from Spain, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
Hovhannisyan said visitor numbers from those countries remain well below the figures for Russia. However, she added that the recent launch of direct flights between London and Yerevan gives reason for optimism.
“The peak tourism season is gradually getting longer”
Armenia usually sees the highest number of tourist arrivals during the summer and in September and October. Activity typically begins to slow towards the end of November. According to Hovhannisyan, however, the peak season is gradually becoming longer. She said more tourists are now choosing to visit the country during the winter months.
“It is encouraging to see growing activity during the winter as well. The government is taking steps to support this trend. If this January’s record figures are sustained and become the norm, we can expect strong tourism for almost the entire year.”
Trade fairs and other PR efforts to attract tourists
The Tourism Committee is running a number of programmes to make Armenia a more attractive destination on the international tourism market.
According to Diana Karapetyan, head of the Marketing Department, Armenia showcased national pavilions at major tourism fairs in Spain, Germany, Romania and Russia this year.
“By the end of the year, we plan to take part in several more international events. Armenian tourism companies attending these exhibitions present highly attractive offers. They promote our country’s cultural events, cuisine and tourist attractions. They also offer tastings, distribute brochures and show promotional videos.”
The committee also works with international media outlets, PR agencies, well-known bloggers and influencers. It organises familiarisation trips to Armenia and runs promotional campaigns. Karapetyan said these efforts have led to more frequent coverage of Armenia in the international media, with growing attention to its tourism appeal and potential.
“Armenia has established itself on the global tourism market as a safe and reliable destination,” she said.
Tourist arrivals in Armenia reach record high
Accreditation of Georgia’s ambassador to Germany
Aleksandre Kartozia, who was appointed Georgia‘s ambassador to Germany in September last year, is set to present his credentials to German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on 23 July.
The information was published on the official website of the German president.
The website lists the ambassadorial accreditation ceremonies scheduled for 23 July. Seven ambassadors are due to present their credentials, with Kartozia first on the programme. According to the schedule, his accreditation ceremony is set to begin at 10:30.
Ambassadors from Chile, Honduras, Nigeria, Mauritania, Madagascar and the Vatican’s Apostolic Nuncio are also scheduled to be accredited on the same day.
Why is the accreditation important?
Aleksandre Kartozia was appointed Georgia’s ambassador to Germany in September last year, succeeding Levan Izoria, who had served in the post since 2020.
Before an ambassador can officially take up their duties in Germany, they must present their credentials to the country’s president. Only after this ceremony are they formally accredited and able to carry out the full responsibilities of the role. Until now, Kartozia had been awaiting an invitation to present his credentials.
Letters of credence are official documents by which one head of state appoints a diplomat as their representative to another country.
The documents identify the appointed diplomat and their diplomatic rank. They also contain a formal request from the sending head of state to the receiving head of state to “give credence” to everything the diplomat says or does on behalf of their country.
The accreditation also carries added political significance given the strained relationship between Georgia and Germany.
Relations between Tbilisi and Berlin have been tense over the past two years. Senior Georgian officials have repeatedly criticised Germany’s ambassador to Georgia, Peter Fischer, while Germany has voiced concern over developments in Georgia.
There have also been several occasions when the German ambassador was summoned by the Georgian authorities.
On 31 December 2024, Germany imposed entry bans on nine people it said were responsible for violence against protesters and opposition figures in Georgia.
Who is Aleksandre Kartozia?
Aleksandre Kartozia served as Georgia’s education minister from 1998 to 2004 under President Eduard Shevardnadze.
He has worked as a researcher and taught courses and seminars at leading universities in Berlin, Frankfurt and Bremen. In 2022, he was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.
During his tenure as education minister, Kartozia faced corruption allegations. In 2002, Givi Targamadze, a member of Georgia’s Anti-Corruption Council, publicly accused him of corruption. In 2004, prosecutors charged Kartozia and his deputy, Vladimir Sanadze, with abuse of office and the embezzlement of public funds.
Accreditation of Georgia’s ambassador to Germany
Yevlakh Pilot Agropark is a state-established agricultural park that operates with the participation of small and medium-sized farmers. Managed by the Economic Zones Development Agency, the agropark provides residents with essential infrastructure, including water, electricity, natural gas, and road access, financed by the state.
President Aliyev’s visit to Germany
President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan arrived in Berlin on Sunday evening for an official visit. An official welcoming ceremony was held at Berlin Brandenburg Airport, where the Azerbaijani leader also met Michael Harms, chairman of the German Eastern Business Association.
As the visit has only just begun, few details have emerged about its outcomes. However, information released so far, together with the broader context, suggests the trip could mark a new phase in relations between Baku and Berlin, driven by pragmatism, closer economic cooperation and a shared interest in regional stability.
What is known so far?
According to official information, Aliyev’s meeting with Michael Harms highlighted growing interest among Azerbaijani and German businesses in expanding cooperation. The two sides also discussed ways to institutionalise that cooperation. They exchanged views on opportunities in both conventional and renewable energy, as well as on developing transport, logistics and communications links, including the Middle Corridor.
Officials also noted that Azerbaijan has adopted a new state programme for agriculture. The two sides discussed the potential for introducing German technologies, particularly in the field of smart farming. Tourism development and other issues of mutual interest were also on the agenda.
The groundwork for the visit had been laid well before Aliyev arrived in Berlin. On 4 December 2025, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called President Aliyev to congratulate him on progress in the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia. He reaffirmed Germany’s support for regional stability and invited the Azerbaijani leader to visit Germany. Aliyev accepted the invitation and, in turn, invited the chancellor to visit Azerbaijan.
On 15 June 2026, Germany’s ambassador to Azerbaijan, Ralf Horlemann, said during a farewell meeting that the visit was expected to take place later in the year.
Bilateral trade reached around €1.7 billion in 2025, while more than 250 German companies operate in Azerbaijan. Since the beginning of 2026, Azerbaijan has also started direct gas exports to Germany and Austria. These figures, together with recent economic initiatives, underline the visit’s strong commercial focus.
The broader trajectory of bilateral relations is also noteworthy. In April 2025, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier paid an official visit to Azerbaijan—the first official visit by a German head of state to the country. Aliyev, for his part, has travelled to Germany on several occasions to attend the Munich Security Conference and other international events.
Why is this visit taking place?
The visit reinforces the pragmatic nature of relations between Azerbaijan and Germany, which are increasingly centred on expanding economic cooperation. As Europe continues to diversify its energy supplies and reduce its dependence on Russian gas, Azerbaijan has strengthened its position as a reliable and predictable energy supplier.
The start of direct gas exports to Germany and Austria in 2026 marked a significant step in that process. But the visit’s agenda extends beyond energy. Discussions are expected to focus on a broader “energy-plus” framework, encompassing cooperation in logistics, the Middle Corridor, industry, agricultural technology and tourism. German businesses, supported by the German Eastern Business Association, have shown growing interest in these sectors.
Germany also attaches considerable importance to stability in the South Caucasus, particularly the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia. This was reflected in Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s phone call with President Aliyev in December 2025, during which he highlighted the importance of the peace agenda. From Berlin’s perspective, Azerbaijan’s multi-vector foreign policy has therefore taken on additional significance, with Baku seen both as an energy supplier and as a participant in efforts to strengthen regional stability.
The Berlin visit also comes against the backdrop of growing tensions between Azerbaijan and the Council of Europe, following President Aliyev’s remarks at the Shusha Global Media Forum that the country could fully withdraw from the organisation. In that sense, the trip highlights the tension between Europe’s values-based agenda and its pragmatic interests. At the same time, current developments suggest that relations between Germany and Azerbaijan continue to be shaped primarily by economic interests and a shared commitment to regional stability.
Europe’s approach to Azerbaijan remains far from uniform. While some European institutions have taken a critical stance towards Baku, bilateral relations with individual partners continue to be driven largely by pragmatic considerations. This reflects Azerbaijan’s continued pursuit of a selective and multi-vector foreign policy.
What outcomes can be expected?
As the visit has only just begun, few official details have been released. Even so, the main areas of cooperation are already becoming clear. One of the central themes of Aliyev’s meeting with Michael Harms was the institutionalisation of business ties, including the creation of new mechanisms for cooperation, business councils and joint working groups.
Among the most likely outcomes are progress in talks on increasing energy exports, broader involvement of German companies in Middle Corridor projects, greater technology transfer and investment in agriculture, as well as new joint initiatives in tourism.
Meetings with Chancellor Friedrich Merz, other senior government officials and representatives of the German business community are also expected to take place during the visit. The agenda may include the signing of cooperation agreements and the adoption of roadmaps for future collaboration.
The longer-term outlook extends well beyond the immediate visit. Both sides are seeking to diversify Azerbaijan’s ties with Europe, expand investment, strengthen the Middle Corridor’s role in Eurasian logistics and increase bilateral trade, which currently stands at €1.7 billion. At the same time, risks remain. Future cooperation could be affected by fluctuations in energy prices, differing approaches among European governments towards Azerbaijan and the overall stability of the South Caucasus.
The visit therefore reflects the pragmatic and multi-vector nature of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy. Baku is seeking to move beyond its role as an energy supplier and position itself as a broader economic and logistics partner. Berlin, for its part, has an interest in strengthening cooperation with a reliable partner while supporting stability in the South Caucasus. The full results of the visit will become clearer in the coming days, but it is already evident that relations are evolving towards an “energy-plus” partnership from which both sides expect tangible economic benefits.
President Aliyev’s visit to Germany