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The News in Brief

Friday, March 6
Georgia to observe NATO Crisis Management Exercise

Georgia will be represented at the NATO Annual Crisis Management Exercise 2015 (CMX15) as an observer country.

NATO stated this year’s CMX would be focused on maritime security and did not involve any deployed forces.

"The exercise is designed to test the North Atlantic Council (NAC) procedures at the strategic political-military level. It involves civilian and military staffs in allied capitals, at NATO headquarters and in both Operations and Transformation Strategic Commands. CMX15 involves no deployed forces. The exercise rehearses decision-making processes using an entirely fictitious scenario,” read the

"The scenario for CMX15 consists of a crisis developing between two non-NATO states at distance from Alliance territory. It contains a humanitarian and maritime dimension, with implications for the security of the allies,” it said.

Besides NATO member states, participants of the exercise include partner countries such as Australia, Finland, Japan, Sweden and Ukraine. Georgia, South Korea and New Zealand will attend the event as observers.

The CMX will be held on the level of Ambassadors on the NAC and will take place between March 4 and 10.

This will be the Alliance’s 19th Crisis Management Exercise since 1992. (Agenda.ge)



Georgia first in post-Soviet space to have legal, licensed Microsoft software

As Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili has declared at the Holiday Inn Hotel during signing a license agreement between Georgia’s government and Microsoft, Georgia will be the first post-Soviet country to have legal, licensed Microsoft software.

According to him, a memorandum of understanding with the world’s leading software company “Microsoft” was signed today and one more step was made towards modern and civilized life in Georgia.

“Georgia used unlicensed Microsoft programs for years… We decided to improve this situation. That’s why we are signing this memorandum with Microsoft today. State agencies will use software which will guarantee that their IT systems will be secure, enlarged and more effective,”- Irakli Gharibashvili remarked. (IPN)



The price of a loaf of bread will not increase in Georgia”

The price of a loaf of bread will not increase in Georgia, Deputy Agriculture Minister Nodar Kereselidze has said.

“One particular company has made an arbitrarily decision to increase the price of a loaf of bread. The country has sufficient reserves of wheat and there is no reason for increasing the price of a loaf of bread”, Kereselidze said.

Some companies have increased the price of a loaf of bread by five tetri.

According to these companies, the reason of the above-mentioned is the depreciation of the Georgian lari.

According to the Agriculture Ministry of Georgia, overall food prices will not increase in the country. (pia.ge)



Georgia’s oldest Member of Parliament (88) retires

The oldest member of the Georgian parliament, 88 year old Giorgi (Gogi) Ochiauri, has asked to be relieved for health reasons.

Ochiauri is a professor at the Academy of Arts. He was elected from the National Movement party list in October, 2012.

Next on the party list and likely replacement is Levan Tarkhnishvili, former head of the Central Election Commission (2007-2010).

Tarkhnishvili was in charge during the three elections in 2008: presidential election in January, parliamentary election in May and by-election in November. The opposition accused him of fraud and demanded his resignation.

Another MP from UNM to be replaced is Davit Sakvarelidze. He was recently appointed as new deputy chief prosecutor in Ukraine’s new government. Eka Kherkheulidze, a former MP in the previous period, will replace him in parliament. (DF watch)



Changes in Personnel underway at the Mayor`s Office

The Mayor`s Office has made an announcement about changes in personnel at the office.

Spokesperson to the mayor, Gvantsa Papavadze stated that the head of the administration, Rezo Chakhava and the deputy head of the administration have left their positions for personal reasons.

"I can assure you that they won`t be employed at the Mayor`s Office," said Papavadze. (Rustavi2)