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The News in Brief

Wednesday, January 16
Expert - Everybody in Georgia will be glad to recognize the autocephaly of the Ukraine Church

Political expert, Kakha Gogolashvili commented on the statement made by the Parliamentary Majority leader, Archil Talakvadze. The issue regarding the autocephaly gained by the Ukrainian Church caused major discussions.

Gogolashvili noted that the Georgian government has chosen an approach, according to which, it is important not to provoke Russia. Georgia remained silent regarding the issue, while the US congratulated the Ukrainian Church.

“Everybody in Georgia will be glad to recognize the autocephaly of the Church of Ukraine, but expression is connected with various risks. Caution can be caused by the issue of the Abkhazian Church. Probably, they are afraid of Russia to recognize the sovereignty of the Abkhazian Church and to legitimize the separation of the Abkhazian Orthodox Church from the jurisdiction of the Georgian Church,” said Gogolashvili.

Talakvadze said that this is a very important issue for Ukraine. He stated that the church and the government will have discussions regarding the issue.

“Consequently, we hope that every decision that will be taken in relation to Ukraine will benefit our partner country for strengthening its positions, consolidating its democracy and protecting public interests,” said Talakvadze.

Ukraine’s Church gained independence from Russia when World Patriarch Bartholomew signed the Tomos on autocephaly of the Ukrainian Church on January 5.

The Ukrainian Church was under Moscow’s jurisdiction since 1686, when, under pressure from Russia.



Davit Matikashvili to be the Head of Parliament's Legal Affairs Committee

Member of the Georgian Dream majority, David Matikashvili will fulfill the duties of the Head of Parliament's Legal Affairs Committee.

The decision was made by the committee with the majority of votes.

Matikashvili will lead the committee temporarily before the selection of the new chair.

It is worth mentioning that previously, Eka Beselia was the Head of Parliament's Legal Affairs Committee. Eka Beselia stepped down from her position as chairperson of the Parliament's Legislative Affairs Committee at the end of 2018.

Vano Zardiashvili, deputy head of the committee also resigned.
(By Mariam Chanishvili)