The News in Brief

Strong wind inflicts damage on Poti in Western Georgia

Strong wind tore roofs off buildings in Georgia`s Black Sea port town of Poti. About 15 multi-storey blocks of apartments and ten mansions have been unroofed in the town.

The strong wind also uprooted trees in the streets. High-voltage electricity wires have been damaged and consequently Poti town has been left without electricity. Representatives of the energy company said they are will resume electricity service by Sunday evening.

Local residences damaged by the natural disaster are expected to receive assistance from the reserve fund of Poti Mayor`s Office. A special commission has already been assigned to assess the damage inflicted on the town.

Parts of the Guria Region are also without electricity as a result of the bad weather. The strong wind has unroofed building of musical school in Chokhatauri town.

Other towns of Western Georgia have not been seriously damaged in the storm, although emergency services are mobilized in Samagrelo and Imereti districts.

The wind damaged electricity wires in some villages, although in some other villages the electricity supplies were cut off for security purposes. Experts said they are going to repair damages by Sunday evening.
(Rustavi 2)



Georgia`s Business Ombudsman meets with diplomatic corps

Georgia`s Business Ombudsman Giorgi Pertaia held a meeting with the diplomatic corps at the Tbilisi Marriott Hotel on Friday. The meeting was initiated by the ombudsman himself.

Representatives of different embassies spoke to Pertaia about problems foreign investors are facing in Georgia.

The ombudsman discussed with the diplomats new business initiatives recently adopted in the country.

Giorgi Pertaia said similar meetings would assist in fixing problems in the country and attracting more investments to Georgia.
(Rustavi 2)



Black Sea Young Reformers Fellowship Conference Held In Georgia

Georgia hosted the international “Black Sea Young Reformers Fellowship” conference.

The conference “Agents of Reform in the Black Sea Region: National Agendas and International Assistance” was opened by State Minister of Georgia on European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Giorgi Baramidze in Batumi on April 1.

Issues of the role of NATO and EU in the Black Sea region, strengthening democracy, security, human rights protection, economic development and methods of fighting against corruption, social reforms and media freedom will be discussed at the conference.

The main goal of the conference is to gather young decision making leaders from Georgia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine. The meeting supports development of effective and long-term political relations and implementation of important changes related to democratization and transparency in the Black Sea region.

The conference is supported by State Ministry of Georgia on European and Euro-Atlantic Integration and organized by Institute for Regional and International Studies (IRIS), the Centre for Politic and Research (CAP), The German Marshall Fund, Robert Bosh Foundation.

Black Sea Young Reformers Fellowship conference is held every year in different countries..
(Prime-News)



Tbilisi mayor attending Asian Mayors Forum in Istanbul

Tbilisi Mayor attended the second international Asian Mayors Forum in Istanbul, Turkey. Gigi Ugulava delivered a speech at the forum and talked about successful reforms carried out in the capital in recent years. He also presented to his counterparts the projects planned to be implemented in Tbilisi.

In his speech, Gigi Ugulava stressed the importance of society`s direct and active involvement in the process of the city`s development. He also stressed that the Tbilisi Mayor is elected in direct elections.
(Rustavi 2)



Labour Party Is Against the State paying for funerals Of Parliament Members

The Labor Party opposes amendents to the law "On Budget", allowing funeral expenses of parliament members to be included in the budget of the supreme legislative body of the country.

Parliament entered a new paragraph to the law "On Budget" at the end of 2010 December. The initiative belongs to the First Vice-Speaker Mikheil Machavariani.

As an executive secretary of the Labour Party Paata Dzhibladze stated at a press conference, held on April 1 Georgian MPs were so tired of taking care of people and country that they made amendments to the law in this regard” said Jibladze.

"The deputies decided not to not leave us in peace even after the death" - said Dzhibladze.
(Prime-News)