Prepared by Messenger Staff
Kobakhidze Vows to Build Georgia Into Major Maritime State at Seafarers' Day Event
Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze used a ceremony marking International Seafarers' Day to outline the government's maritime ambitions, pledging continued investment in ports, infrastructure, and education.
Kobakhidze said Georgia's goal was to become "a strong maritime state, where modern infrastructure, competitive ports and highly qualified people create a single, well-functioning system," and pointed to education as central to achieving it. He said more than GEL 30 million had been spent in recent years modernizing maritime education, calling it "a direct investment in our youth-in the generation that will create Georgia's maritime future."
Kobakhidze said Georgia currently has over 20,000 active seafarers whose annual contribution to the economy amounts to roughly GEL 1 billion by conservative estimates. He said the government's obligation was to create conditions for those figures to grow.
"I sincerely congratulate you on the International Day of the Seafarer. We thank each of you for your significant contribution to the development of the Georgian state," Kobakhidze said.
Khoshtaria Cannot Be Fully Examined Due to Pain, Doctor Says
A rheumatologist who examined imprisoned Droa leader Elene Khoshtaria at Rustavi Women's Prison says her condition requires further evaluation at a multi-profile clinic, as pain prevented a complete assessment.
Dr. Maka Ioseliani, who visited Khoshtaria following her arrest, said the examination revealed damage across multiple joints, including small joints, phalanges, knees, and hips. Several could not be fully assessed due to the patient's pain levels.
Ioseliani said she reviewed radiological scans from April 2026 showing changes consistent with rheumatic disease, including inflammation of the hip joint. She noted the condition appears to have progressed significantly since 2024, when Turkish doctors diagnosed Khoshtaria with reactive arthritis affecting only peripheral joints. "Now the situation has changed radically," the doctor said.
The physician also flagged a history of additional health concerns.
Ioseliani said the combination of factors made comprehensive diagnostic work essential before any treatment could begin. "No doctor in any country will and cannot start the examination until the full study is conducted," she said, adding that multiple specialist consultations and tests were needed to determine the role of autoimmune hemolytic anemia and rule out other risks.
