State Minister warns Russia of Kosovo “boomerang”

It would be dangerous for Russia to speculate about the issue of Kosovo, as it may “aggravate the situation in the conflict zones,” Davit Bakradze, State Minister for Conflict Resolution warned on December 12.

He also said it would be a problem not only for Georgia, but other states including Russia. “Such policy [of discussing Kosovo] will return to Russia like a boomerang, first hitting the North Caucasus,” Bakradze said, adding that he hopes “common sense will prevail” in Moscow.

On December 7 Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the decision on the status of Kosovo, which is expected soon, would set a precedent for unrecognized republics in the post-Soviet space. (Black Sea Press)



Human rights ombudsman marks anti-violence day

The Human Rights Ombudsman’s Office held an event to mark the Day of Prevention of Violence Against Children on December 12.

Sozar Subari, the Human Rights Ombudsman, presented awards to winners of poster and story competitions.

The event was supported by the Civil Development Institute NGO and UNICEF. (Prime News)



Student scholarship program announced

The People’s Bank, Heidelberg Cement, Elit Electronics, Geocell and ESM Tbilisi have collaborated to produce a student scholarship program which will fund exceptional students from low income families to take a business degree.

The program was unveiled at the Courtyard Marriott yesterday.

A representative of People’s Bank said the program aims to give poor students a business education.

Ten students will take courses from January onwards at ESM Tbilisi, and the best four will be chosen based on their academic achievement and motivation.

Hopefuls should submit their applications to ESM by December 20. (Prime News)



PABSEC session in Tbilisi ends

The 30th Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PABSEC) in Tbilisi finished on Wednesday.

Acting speaker of parliament Mikheil Machavariani said that energy security issues were discussed in the session and the importance of the Black Sea region as an alternative energy corridor to Russia was underlined.

Asaf Gajiyev, the head of the Azerbaijani delegation, spoke of the importance of international projects such as Baku–Supsa, Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan and Baku–Tbilisi–Erzerum, noting that the settlement of regional conflicts was important for the implementation of energy projects.

Armenian delegation head Gagik Minasyan underlined the importance of developing alternative energy sources like nuclear and hydropower alongside oil and gas, warning that in twenty years the world could face an energy crisis.

Answering journalists’ questions after the conference finished, Machavariani reaffirmed the importance of PASBSEC as a facilitator of dialogue between countries that have troubled relations, such as Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The next session will be held in Athens in six months. (Black Sea Press)