The messenger logo

The News in Brief

Wednesday, January 26
Patriarch may visit Abkhazia

Catholicos Patriarch of All Georgia Illia Second Archepiscope of Mtskheta-Tbilisi and Mitropolite of Pitsunda and Tkhum Abkhazia, His Holiness and Beatitude probably will visit Abkhazia, GHN reports. The information was approved by the Press Service of the Georgian Patriarchate. They noted that Illia Second has a great wish to visit Abkhazia.

“At this time it is difficult to predict whether will it be possible and what measures will be taken for this event,”- the Press Office of the Patriarchy reports. According to Press Office information before the question can be decided, the Patriarch will visit the UK.

The Patriarch has not been in Abkhazia since the conflict in the region in the 1990s. (GHN)



Tbilisi condemns Moscow Terrorist Act

The Georgian Foreign Ministry has released a statement “strongly condemning” the act of terrorism at Moscow’s Domodedovo airport on Monday that resulted in death of tens of people.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia mourns the victims of the act of terrorism that took place at Domodedovo airport in Moscow, on 24 January 2011, killing tens of people and leaving over a hundred - injured.”

Georgia has always and continues to strongly condemn any form of terrorism. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia conveys its condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives,” - the statement reads. (Prime-News)



UN Human Rights Council To Discuss Situation In Georgia

The human rights situation in Georgia will be discussed at the tenth session of the Working Group of the UN Human Rights Council, which opened on January 24 at the United Nations European office in Geneva, reports the official website of the United Nations.

Through until February 4, members of the working group will assess the situation of human rights in Georgia and in another 15 countries for example Nauru, Nepal, Oman, Saint Lucia, Austria, Myanmar, Australia, Namibia, Niger, Mozambique, Estonia , Paraguay, St. Kitts and Nevis.

“The working group will consider how these states are observing human rights. It will analyse the successes and failures in the area of human rights and will make appropriate recommendations,” reads the statement. (Prime-News)



Video Conference with Istanbul in U.S. Embassy

A video conference ‘Invest for the Future: Women Driving Economic Growth’ with Istanbul was held in the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi

Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Vera Kobalia delivered a speech at the conference. She spoke about women’s role in economics and politics and highlighted the progress of women’s activity in Georgia.

‘We must be more active and ambitious. Women have the potential. We must be involved in politics and create employment prospects,’ Kobalia said.

U.S. Ambassador to Georgia, John Bass commented that the conference will deepen relationships between the businesswomen.

‘The conference must assist women to increase their business competitiveness in their countries and in the regions. U.S. considers that women are not properly and fully exposed to society, they cannot show their potential and possibilities. The U.S. believes that women can be more active in economic growth and achieve equal distribution of economic benefits as a result of economic growth,’ the Ambassador stated.

Representatives of Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkey, Cyprus and Greece wesre taking part in the two-day conference. (Interpressnews)



Mamuka Areshidze: we can lose more territory in mountainous regions

Mamuka Areshidze, expert in Caucasian affairs said the set of laws concerning the mountain regions are to be immediately worked out. The population should stay in the region and return to the mountains. He commented on the issue to the news agency GHN.

“The most difficult situation is in the northern border of our country. A large territory stretching over 700 kilometers is populated by only 30 people. The Eastern mountain region of Georgia is totally empty, apart from the valley. This can cause high risk, and in the short term it could end in tragedy, "- Areshidze said to GHN.

He said the government should first of all be interested in easing everyday living for the population by providing a good economy and budget. “Russia is exploiting the situation of emptiness in the Georgian mountain regions, as this territory is difficult to defend.” Areshidze believes that if the Georgian government is not yet ready to support the high mountain region inhabitants, it could lose additional territory there. (GHN)



Another Tbilisi clinic under quarantine

After Ghudushauri clinic in Tbilisi, Iashvili children’s clinic has also been placed under quarantine. One new case of flu has been confirmed in the clinic’s laboratory.

According to the latest reports, ten new cases of H1N1 virus have been confirmed throughout Georgia. One patient has been killed by the virus.

20 people are undergoing medical treatment in Ghudushauri clinic; the condition of eight is relatively difficult.

One new case of flu virus was confirmed in Iashvili clinic, although the patient’s condition was light and he was discharged.

As for the regions, in Kutaisi in Western Georgia 27 women are undergoing medical treatment in Centre of Mothers and Children. 11 cases of H1N1 virus have already been confirmed. Doctors say that health condition of all of them is stable. (Rustavi 2)