The messenger logo

The News in Brief

Thursday, March 19
Georgia offers solidarity to Ukraine one year after Crimea annexation

Georgia’s Foreign Ministry is reconfirming it "fully supports” Ukraine’s territorial integrity as the troubled nation marks one year since the referendum which resulted in the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation.

The Ministry issued a special statement that stated Georgia did not recognize the March 16, 2014 Crimea referendum, which violated international law.

The statement said the referendum was held under pressure from the Russian armed forces, which violated Ukraine’s legislation.

"Georgia’s Foreign Ministry condemns the aggression against the sovereign state and changing the borders by force, which posed and is still posing a big threat to not only regional but international security and stability,” the Ministry said.

The Georgian side also stressed the importance of activating international security measures to stop the violence, which Georgia had also experienced in the past. (Agenda.ge)



United National Movement accuses the government of spending 181,401 GEL on furniture

The National Movement has published accounts denoting furniture purchases by the Prime Minister for the 11th floor of the governmental administration building.

According to MP Irma Nadirashvili, Irakli Gharibashvili commissioned furniture costing GEL 181,401 in Italy during the ongoing financial crisis that started in December.

At today’s press conference, she introduced two agreements showing the purchase of the furniture by the PM.

“In total, 181,401 GEL was spent on this. We are skeptical about it being possible to solve an economic crisis through furniture, though the fact shows that the government clearly has a hard time saying no to luxury”- she said.

According to her, it is clear that the government’s words and actions are worlds apart.

“We have a lying government that does nothing but taunt and provoke people with its behavior. That’s why the people of Georgia must fiercely react to the government’s shameless actions on March 21. I call on every citizen to join the National Movement rally,”- said Nadirashvili.

The government’s administration has stated that Nadirashvili revealed incorrect figures. They stress that the furniture was really commissioned for the space for foreign guests and an ordinary 2, 2000 cost bed for the Prime Minister, who very often works until 4 am.



Nino Burjanadze: Government is afraid to investigate May 26 rally events

The leader of the "United Democratic Movement" Nino Burjanadze said that the Georgian government cannot understand that organizing unrest is beneficial for the "National Movement".

"If the government’s inability still continues, of course, the controversy will be even more complicated and the country will face a serious danger. I meant this by stating that all the facts should have been investigated, but I think these authorities are more afraid of the investigation into the May 26 events than the "National Movement", because none of the current government officials want Georgia and the Georgian people to see the reality in connection with Nino Burjanadze, the "National Assembly" and the "Democratic Movement". We have long been demanding it, but unfortunately, power is not in our hands", - Burjanadze said. (Pia.ge)



Eka Kherkheulidze takes David Sakvarelidze`s place in the parliament

Eka Kherkheulidze took over David Sakvarelidze`s place in the parliament.

The decision was adopted by the Parliament. Sakvarelidze took a high post in Ukraine’s government. (Rustavi 2)



40,000 have registered for entrance exams to study in Georgia

More than 40,000 candidates will try to pass the national exams this summer, in order to enter universities in Georgia.

According to the National Assessment and Examinations Center (NAEC), registration for exams in 2015 finished on Tuesday.

4,000 students are registered to try again to get government scholarships after failing to get it in last year’s exams. There are 12,000 candidates registered for entrance exams for Master’s degree.

Registration started on February 10 and lasted about a month.

This year the exams feature a new subject called civic education which entrants may choose. They must also pass a logic test, Georgian literature and grammar, foreign language and may choose math, history, geography, biology, chemistry and physics.

Last year, more than 36,000 entrants registered for national exams, 4,500 students who were trying to get a scholarship and about 12,000 registered for the entrance exam for Master’s degree. 8 percent fell short of the minimum requirement last year.

The national exams as usual take place in summer. (DF watch)