Rustavi 2 to broadcast new political talk show

On December 10, Rustavi 2 TV will begin broadcasting a political talk show entitled “Prime Time,” hosted by former Imedi TV journalist Inga Grigolia.

The show will air political debates between presidential candidates twice weekly.

Grigolia is one of the most well-known TV anchors in Georgia. She hosted the political show “Reaction” on Imedi TV, a station generally regarded as unfriendly toward the government; she left the station in late November after it was shut down by the government.

She later claimed her reason for leaving was the decision of Badri Patarkatsishvili, the station’s founder, to make a presidential bid.

“I decided to leave Imedi the day I learned Badri Patarkatsishvili would run for president. Not because he is bad or good, but because when the owner of your television company takes part in the elections, you find yourself in an unpleasant situation,” Grigolia said. (Black Sea Press)



CEC to open polling stations in Russia

The Central Election Commission (CEC) will open two polling stations at the Georgian Embassy in Russia for the January 5 presidential election.

According to the CEC there are 2 765 Georgian voters registered in Russia. 40 polling stations will be opened abroad. (Prime News)



2.8m tons of oil transited through Georgia in October

Around 2.8 million tons of oil passed through the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipeline in October, more than double the figure for September, according to the news agency Trend.

The Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation said that around only 1.2 million tons of oil was transported in September, due to technical difficulties. (Prime News)



GUAM submits draft resolution to the UN

GUAM member states—Georgia, Azerbaijan, Ukraine and Moldova—have submitted a draft resolution concerning frozen conflicts to the UN.

The draft resolution states that the delayed settlement of secessionist conflicts poses a threat to the peace and stability of the region and calls on states and international organizations to promote the settlement process.

It also underlines the rights of IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) to return to their original homes and requests that the GUAM conflicts be discussed at the 63rd UN General Assembly session. (Black Sea Press)



Orphanages to be run by the Health Ministry

Orphanages will be subordinated to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Affairs instead of the Ministry of Education and Science next year, Health Minister Davit Tkeshelashvili announced on Saturday.

Tkeshelashvili was talking at the Momavlis Sakhli (House of the Future) orphanage, which he visited along with acting president Nino Burjanadze and Healthcare Committee chair Gigi Tsereteli. (Prime News)



Russian FM: decision on Kosovo status will set a precedent

The decision on the final status of Kosovo could set a precedent for unrecognized republics in the former Soviet Union, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated last week.

He also warned countries that are considering recognizing the independence of Kosovo to “think very carefully before making this very dangerous decision that has an unforeseeable outcome and is not good for stability in Europe.” (Black Sea Press)