Georgian PM on ‘big victories’, tragedies and challenges of the week
Georgian PM said that the week was very busy, with both positive and negative aspects. Photo: Prime Minister’s press office.
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Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze spoke about the positive and negative news of the week before the government meeting today and mentioned the challenges which need to be overcome.
'Big Victories'
Speaking about the victories Bakhtadze mentioned the verdict of the European Court of Human Rights which demanded the payment of 10 million EUR from Russia to Georgia for the arrest and expulsion of Georgians in 2006.
I can openly say that justice has been served. I want to mention the huge merit of the Georgian Justice Ministry in the victory. Without the enormous efforts of the ministry in 2014-2015 only 118 Georgian citizens would be able to receive the compensation instead of 1,500,” Bakhtadze said.
Bakhtadze stated that the previous state leadership sent the data of only 118 individuals to the court.
Happy to share EU's 3rd Association Implementation Report on #Georgia – continued legislative reform and implementation of standards benefit Georgians. #EU committed to continued strong support to this process in 2019 #EU4Georgia https://t.co/h9V09m5xzN
— Carl Hartzell (@CarlHartzellEU) January 31, 2019
Bakhtadze also mentioned the third Association Agreement report released by the EU yesterday which mostly praises Georgia and says that the country fulfills its obligations on scheduled times.
However, much is still to be done with the cooperation of our allies,” Bakhtadze said.
Bakhtadze cited the Global Finance rating, which said that Georgia is the safest country in the region.
It is a victory and the result of our successful reforms,” Bakhtadze said.
Tragedy of the week
Speaking about the fatalities of the week Bakhtadze spoke about the gas-related incident which claimed seven lives.
He offered condolences to the families of the deceased people and stated that regulations will become tougher both for gas providers and consumers.
Challenges-Personal life footage/exams
Bakhtadze touched upon the detention of 16 individuals for the release of personal footage. Condemning the action Bakhtadze vowed that the government will do its utmost to ensure the protection of the personal space of each Georgian citizen.
In the end Bakhtadze stated that school graduation exams will be removed both for 11th and 12th graders.
He said that school should be focused on providing education and not preparation for exams in several subjects.
The third Association Implementation report released by Euroepan Commission says that Georgia's Association Agreement commitments, including its Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, have been implemented in line with agreed timelines.
The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has announced its judgment today in the case of Georgia v. Russia, regarding the arrest, detention and collective expulsion of Georgian nationals from Russia in the autumn of 2006.
In the newest rankings by Global Finance Georgia takes 49th place among 128 countries with a safety index score of 9.68. With this result, Georgia is the safest country in the region.
The Georgian media reports that “most of the individuals” who have been detained today for the possession and release of private footage are activists of the United National Movement (UNM) and Girchi opposition parties.