The News in Brief
Thursday, July 17
Swimming ban lifted in Batumi
A potential storm that threatened the safety of swimmers in Batumi no longer poses a threat causing experts to lift a swimming ban in the Black Sea coastal resort town.
This afternoon officials said holiday-makers and locals in Batumi were freely allowed to enter the sea and enjoy the water.
The temporary swimming ban was lifted as soon as specialists said no storm was expected at the seaside yesterday.
However earlier today, specialists said a ferocious storm, up to Category 4, would hit Batumi and cause rough seas and strong waves. This was potentially dangerous for swimmers.
Omar Surmanidze of the Emergency Management Agency earlier said red flag alarms had been erected along the coastline to warn people from entering the sea. (Agenda.ge)
Georgian team of reformers is in Kiev today, but their influence is still negligible
A Georgian team of reformers is in Kiev today, but their influence is still negligible, former Ukrainian Interior Minister Yuri Lutsenko told Rustavi 2 on Thursday.
“We could not implement economic reforms in 2005. Now we have to carry out these reforms. Georgia has implemented the most effective reforms, not only developed countries, but even Russia recognizes this fact. That is why Georgian team of reformers is in Kiev today. Kakha Bendukidze and other Georgian reformers are in Kiev. However, their influence is still negligible due to the current developments in Ukraine. “The war should not delay the reforms; the need for reforms is obvious even during the war”, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said last week. In fact, he publicly instructed the government to launch reforms”, Yuri Lutsenko said. (Frontnews)
Head of the Humanitarian Assistance Service of the IDPs’ Affairs Department of Abkhazia’s autonomous Republic detained
Officers of the Investigative Service of the Finance Ministry have detained Davit Gadelia, the Head of the Humanitarian Assistance Service of the IDPs’ Affairs Department of Abkhazia’s autonomous Republic.
According to the Investigative Service, it was established that Gadelia took a 6,500 USD bribe.
Investigation is under way under the article 338 of the criminal code of Georgia that envisages imprisonment from 7 to 11 years. (IPN)
“There is the political will to discuss the issue regarding the opening of the Ergneti market”
There is the political will to discuss the issue regarding the opening of the Ergneti market, State Minister for Reconciliation and Civil Equality of Georgia Paata Zakareishvili said on Wednesday.
“We should have more communications with the people living in the occupied territories of Georgia according to the Association Agreement signed between Georgia and the EU. The issue regarding the opening of the Ergneti market is being discussed at this moment”, Zakareishvili said. (Frontnews)
Georgian judges to undergo three-year evaluation period
The Georgian government approved draft amendments to the organic law on common courts, Georgia's Minister of Justice, Tea Tsulukiani said on July 14 following a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers.
She said the legislative initiative will cover the judges, who were appointed by the new president.
"We are introducing a system whereby such judges will be evaluated over a three-year probationary period. Six evaluations and conclusions will be prepared during the three years. Based on them, the supreme council of justice will decide on the majority of votes whether the judge deserves to wear the mantle, or not," Tsulukiani said.
She said the evaluation includes both professional and personality criteria to exclude the appointment of the candidates, who can be corrupt, who do not know the laws or rules of conduct in the courtroom, and who do not know how to justify their decisions.
"The three-year probationary period will apply to all new judges, and there are 12 such persons," Tsulukiani noted. (trend.az)
A potential storm that threatened the safety of swimmers in Batumi no longer poses a threat causing experts to lift a swimming ban in the Black Sea coastal resort town.
This afternoon officials said holiday-makers and locals in Batumi were freely allowed to enter the sea and enjoy the water.
The temporary swimming ban was lifted as soon as specialists said no storm was expected at the seaside yesterday.
However earlier today, specialists said a ferocious storm, up to Category 4, would hit Batumi and cause rough seas and strong waves. This was potentially dangerous for swimmers.
Omar Surmanidze of the Emergency Management Agency earlier said red flag alarms had been erected along the coastline to warn people from entering the sea. (Agenda.ge)
Georgian team of reformers is in Kiev today, but their influence is still negligible
A Georgian team of reformers is in Kiev today, but their influence is still negligible, former Ukrainian Interior Minister Yuri Lutsenko told Rustavi 2 on Thursday.
“We could not implement economic reforms in 2005. Now we have to carry out these reforms. Georgia has implemented the most effective reforms, not only developed countries, but even Russia recognizes this fact. That is why Georgian team of reformers is in Kiev today. Kakha Bendukidze and other Georgian reformers are in Kiev. However, their influence is still negligible due to the current developments in Ukraine. “The war should not delay the reforms; the need for reforms is obvious even during the war”, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said last week. In fact, he publicly instructed the government to launch reforms”, Yuri Lutsenko said. (Frontnews)
Head of the Humanitarian Assistance Service of the IDPs’ Affairs Department of Abkhazia’s autonomous Republic detained
Officers of the Investigative Service of the Finance Ministry have detained Davit Gadelia, the Head of the Humanitarian Assistance Service of the IDPs’ Affairs Department of Abkhazia’s autonomous Republic.
According to the Investigative Service, it was established that Gadelia took a 6,500 USD bribe.
Investigation is under way under the article 338 of the criminal code of Georgia that envisages imprisonment from 7 to 11 years. (IPN)
“There is the political will to discuss the issue regarding the opening of the Ergneti market”
There is the political will to discuss the issue regarding the opening of the Ergneti market, State Minister for Reconciliation and Civil Equality of Georgia Paata Zakareishvili said on Wednesday.
“We should have more communications with the people living in the occupied territories of Georgia according to the Association Agreement signed between Georgia and the EU. The issue regarding the opening of the Ergneti market is being discussed at this moment”, Zakareishvili said. (Frontnews)
Georgian judges to undergo three-year evaluation period
The Georgian government approved draft amendments to the organic law on common courts, Georgia's Minister of Justice, Tea Tsulukiani said on July 14 following a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers.
She said the legislative initiative will cover the judges, who were appointed by the new president.
"We are introducing a system whereby such judges will be evaluated over a three-year probationary period. Six evaluations and conclusions will be prepared during the three years. Based on them, the supreme council of justice will decide on the majority of votes whether the judge deserves to wear the mantle, or not," Tsulukiani said.
She said the evaluation includes both professional and personality criteria to exclude the appointment of the candidates, who can be corrupt, who do not know the laws or rules of conduct in the courtroom, and who do not know how to justify their decisions.
"The three-year probationary period will apply to all new judges, and there are 12 such persons," Tsulukiani noted. (trend.az)