The News in Brief
Wednesday, December 28
President`s press speaker sums up year`s important facts
President`s press speaker Manana Manjgaladze summed up the most significant facts of the year 2011 at the last traditional briefing of the year. Manjgaladze emphasized the visit of the NATO Secretary General, French President and other European leaders, as well as the beginning of negotiations on visa free and free trade relations with the European Union.
`The visit of the NATO Secretary General to Georgia and the assessments he made while talking about new Georgia were particularly significant. In his speech, Secretary General hailed the progress, which Georgia had in the process of democratic development and combating corruption. NATO-Georgia commission was also very important as well as the assessments voiced during this meeting that Georgia is so close with the NATO membership as never before,` Manjgaladze said.
President`s press speaker also spoke about Georgia`s effective participation in the ISAF mission adding the cooperation within the program would continue.
`I think the resolution adopted by the European Parliament at the end of the year should be mentioned separately, as it is a very firm basement for the prospects of Georgia`s membership in the European Union,` Manjgladze said. (Rustavi 2)
We are becoming more modern, more European and more digital – Vano Merabishvili
Passengers will be electronically checked at Tbilisi International Airport. Namely, passengers’ ID information will be identified according to passport information and finger prints. Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili was the first to use this service yesterday.
‘We will not stop. We are developing and becoming more modern, more European and more digital. We are going to distribute computers to 5 000 policemen. The Ministry of Internal Affairs will be the best equipped one in the world. We are trying to maximally simplify and accelerate services for our and foreign citizens’, Merabishvili said.
The above-mentioned service was activated in Tbilisi and Batumi airports, as well as at the Sarfi checkpoint. (Interpresnews)
Tourism Agency sums up annual work
Head of the National Agency of Tourism of Georgia, Maia Sidamonidze delivered a summarizing report about the work of the agency in 2011 at the meeting with the Prime Minister, Economic Minister, tour agencies and air companies held in the Holiday Inn Hotel. Sidamonidze said the most important achievement of the work of the agency was the number of visitors registered this year. She said the number reached three million, which is with 39% more in comparison with the previous year.
The growth of the number of visitors coincided with the summer season; Maia Sidamonidze said this was tied with the improvement of tourism infrastructure in the country.
The representatives of tourism agencies expressed their opinion about the measures that should be implemented to improve and develop tourism in the country. (Rustavi 2)
Defence Ministry delegation returns from USA
The Georgian Defence delegation has arrived from Washington, US. In Washington Defence officials from Georgia and the United States held Bilateral Defence Consultations (BDC).
The delegation from the United States was headed by Under Secretary of Defence for Policy Michele Flournoy. Mr Flournoy commended Georgia for its continuing contributions to the International Security Force in Afghanistan (ISAF) and affirmed the United States` commitment to assisting Georgia in its defence transformation efforts.
The Georgian delegation was headed by the First Deputy Defence Minister Nodar Kharshiladze. The delegation members included Deputy Defence Minister Andro Barnovi, Deputies Chief of Joint Staff of GAF Col. Iveri Subeliani and LTC Lasha Beridze. The discussion focused on the deep and broadening defence relationship between the two countries, which includes building Georgia`s defence Institutions, modernizing its professional military education and enhancing its expeditionary capabilities. The sides also referred to ongoing cooperation on doctrinal development and identified areas for more in-depth collaboration.
Bilateral defence consultations between Georgia and US is traditionally held every year and identifies key strategic aspects of cooperation. (Rustavi 2)
Ala Jioeva expecting repentance from Georgia
Ala Jioeva, so-called South Ossetian opposition leader, is expecting repentance from Georgia . She made this statement in her interview with the News Russia.
To the journalist’s question what would be her relations with Georgia if the government is changed there, she replied: ‘the war will end sometime’.
Jioeva noted the fascist Germany was seriously punished and it has been compensating certain people for the damage it caused up to now.
‘Georgia should repent for its actions regarding South Ossetia. It should repent for Gamsakhurdia and Saakashvili. When Georgia admits to its culpable activities regarding South Ossetian people, it will thus open a door for a dialogue. Then we will think about building good neighbouring relations. We cannot fight with each other for ever. It is in the interests of neither side’, she said. (Interpressnews)
President`s press speaker Manana Manjgaladze summed up the most significant facts of the year 2011 at the last traditional briefing of the year. Manjgaladze emphasized the visit of the NATO Secretary General, French President and other European leaders, as well as the beginning of negotiations on visa free and free trade relations with the European Union.
`The visit of the NATO Secretary General to Georgia and the assessments he made while talking about new Georgia were particularly significant. In his speech, Secretary General hailed the progress, which Georgia had in the process of democratic development and combating corruption. NATO-Georgia commission was also very important as well as the assessments voiced during this meeting that Georgia is so close with the NATO membership as never before,` Manjgaladze said.
President`s press speaker also spoke about Georgia`s effective participation in the ISAF mission adding the cooperation within the program would continue.
`I think the resolution adopted by the European Parliament at the end of the year should be mentioned separately, as it is a very firm basement for the prospects of Georgia`s membership in the European Union,` Manjgladze said. (Rustavi 2)
We are becoming more modern, more European and more digital – Vano Merabishvili
Passengers will be electronically checked at Tbilisi International Airport. Namely, passengers’ ID information will be identified according to passport information and finger prints. Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili was the first to use this service yesterday.
‘We will not stop. We are developing and becoming more modern, more European and more digital. We are going to distribute computers to 5 000 policemen. The Ministry of Internal Affairs will be the best equipped one in the world. We are trying to maximally simplify and accelerate services for our and foreign citizens’, Merabishvili said.
The above-mentioned service was activated in Tbilisi and Batumi airports, as well as at the Sarfi checkpoint. (Interpresnews)
Tourism Agency sums up annual work
Head of the National Agency of Tourism of Georgia, Maia Sidamonidze delivered a summarizing report about the work of the agency in 2011 at the meeting with the Prime Minister, Economic Minister, tour agencies and air companies held in the Holiday Inn Hotel. Sidamonidze said the most important achievement of the work of the agency was the number of visitors registered this year. She said the number reached three million, which is with 39% more in comparison with the previous year.
The growth of the number of visitors coincided with the summer season; Maia Sidamonidze said this was tied with the improvement of tourism infrastructure in the country.
The representatives of tourism agencies expressed their opinion about the measures that should be implemented to improve and develop tourism in the country. (Rustavi 2)
Defence Ministry delegation returns from USA
The Georgian Defence delegation has arrived from Washington, US. In Washington Defence officials from Georgia and the United States held Bilateral Defence Consultations (BDC).
The delegation from the United States was headed by Under Secretary of Defence for Policy Michele Flournoy. Mr Flournoy commended Georgia for its continuing contributions to the International Security Force in Afghanistan (ISAF) and affirmed the United States` commitment to assisting Georgia in its defence transformation efforts.
The Georgian delegation was headed by the First Deputy Defence Minister Nodar Kharshiladze. The delegation members included Deputy Defence Minister Andro Barnovi, Deputies Chief of Joint Staff of GAF Col. Iveri Subeliani and LTC Lasha Beridze. The discussion focused on the deep and broadening defence relationship between the two countries, which includes building Georgia`s defence Institutions, modernizing its professional military education and enhancing its expeditionary capabilities. The sides also referred to ongoing cooperation on doctrinal development and identified areas for more in-depth collaboration.
Bilateral defence consultations between Georgia and US is traditionally held every year and identifies key strategic aspects of cooperation. (Rustavi 2)
Ala Jioeva expecting repentance from Georgia
Ala Jioeva, so-called South Ossetian opposition leader, is expecting repentance from Georgia . She made this statement in her interview with the News Russia.
To the journalist’s question what would be her relations with Georgia if the government is changed there, she replied: ‘the war will end sometime’.
Jioeva noted the fascist Germany was seriously punished and it has been compensating certain people for the damage it caused up to now.
‘Georgia should repent for its actions regarding South Ossetia. It should repent for Gamsakhurdia and Saakashvili. When Georgia admits to its culpable activities regarding South Ossetian people, it will thus open a door for a dialogue. Then we will think about building good neighbouring relations. We cannot fight with each other for ever. It is in the interests of neither side’, she said. (Interpressnews)