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The News in Brief

Monday, August 15
Alexander Ankvabi says European countries will recognize independence of Abkhazia

Alexander Ankvabi, the so-called presidential candidate of Abkhazia, says European countries will recognize the independence of Abkhazia gradually, Interfax reports.

According to him, the West and the EU tried to involve Abkhazia in several projects and programs, which first of all served Georgian and not Abkhazian interests.

‘We are not evading international contacts. We’ve taken part in the Geneva discussions, but they have not brought anything good to Abkhazia. We will leave a narrow path for dialogue and contacts’, Ankvabi said.

The European structures hope Abkhazia will finally return to Georgia. However, the Abkhazian government has repeatedly said that independence of Abkhazia is an 'irrecoverable process’, Ankvabi said. (Interpressnews)



Travel Channel to feature Georgia

The Travel Channel has started making a programme about Georgia. The TV-crew visited Kakheti Region in Eastern Georgia yesterday and they also intend to visit other regions -Shida Kartli, Svaneti and Adjara.

The show about Georgia will feature details interesting for tourists, including wine, Georgian cuisine and national traditions.

Representatives of the Travel Channel are expected to stay in Georgia for ten days. They will make a 30-minute documentary film, which will be shown by the channel 60 times during one year and periodically during the next three years.

The Travel Channel is a satellite and cable television channel. It features documentaries and how-to shows related to travel and leisure throughout the world.

The documentary film titled - Discover Georgia - will be broadcast in October. (Rustavi 2)



PM met with Orthodox Church representatives

Georgian Prime Minster Nika Gilauri met with Georgian Orthodox Church representatives in their second working meeting.

"At the first meeting we decided to establish 4 commissions. Today we approved members of commissions; we agreed to work jointly on legislation. The government will review them at the beginning of September. On September 15 a meeting of all 4 commissions will be held. I am sure the work of these commissions will be very fruitful, "- Georgian Prime Minister said. (GHN)



Georgian Patriarch christens Abkhazians in Batumi

Catholicos Patriarch of All Georgia His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II baptized Abkhazians living in the Black Sea city of Batumi, Adjara Region on Saturday. The Christening ceremony was held in Batumi Cathedral.

Ilia II christened a total of 25 people, among them 10 Abkhazians.

After the ceremony, the Patriarch traveled to the village of Sarphi to attend Kolkhi celebration.

Local residents of different villages of Adjara Region had prepared a special program to meet the Patriarch at the celebration. Local folk ensembles intend to perform national dances and songs. Sports contests are also planned to take place.

The exhibition of national products is also being held in Sarphi. (Rustavi 2)



Georgian writer wins International Playwriting Competition 2011

Lasha Bugadze from Georgia and Fernanda Jaber from China have won the two top prizes in this year`s BBC World Service and British Council International Radio Playwriting Competition.

Lasha Bugadze won in the English as a first language category for his dark comedy The Navigator, translated by Maya Kiasashvili.

"This is an honour, not just for me but for my country," said Lasha, on hearing the news.

Both writers have won a play commission from the BBC.

They`ll be flown to London for a week to see their plays professionally recorded, for broadcast on BBC World Service later in the year.

They`ll also attend a special award ceremony in their honour at the prestigious Shakespeare`s Globe Theatre. (Rustavi 2)



Batumi to Minsk airplane makes emergency landing in Russia`s Sochi

An aircraft of Belavia Company flying from Georgia`s Black Sea city of Batumi to Minsk made an emergency landing in Russia`s resort in Sochi due to a hydraulic leak on Friday.

As reported, the technical problems were revealed at the a height of 3000 metres in the Tbilisi air navigation zone and the crew of the Boeing 737 made a decision to make an emergency landing. (Rustavi 2)