The News in Brief
Friday, May 29
First Deputy Foreign Minister addresses detention of Georgian journalists at UN Security Council Session
Georgia’s First Deputy Foreign Minister, Davit Dondua, has delivered a speech at a UN Security Council Session on the detention of Georgian journalists during the Russian invasion of Georgia. As the Foreign Ministry has informed InterPressNews, Davit Dondua has made a statement on behalf of Georgia.
The session was dedicated to the issue of journalist protection.
Davit Dondua welcomed putting an emphasis on the fact, adding that the Security Council needs to take more active steps to protect journalists working in conflict zones and dangerous situations.
“Providing journalists with security is a significant issue, as they are the first ones to spread information about this or other conflict - sometimes at the expense of their lives. Georgia experienced this tragedy as well, when three journalists were killed and four were wounded as a result of Russia’s aggression in August 2008. A Dutch journalist was also amongst those killed,” Davit Dondua said.
According to him, the installation of barbed wire barriers along Russia’s occupation line represents an obstacle for international humanitarian organizations and journalists, who want to enter the occupied territory and gain information about protection of human rights there.
“In April of 2014, Russia’s occupation forces illegally detained three Georgian journalists as they were covering the issue of barbed wire fences,” the Deputy Minister said.
Davit Dondua said the UN is obliged to strictly state that military occupation does not imply lifting of the responsibility for providing journalists with a safe environment.
The First Deputy Foreign Minister referred to the threats of spreading false information, in particular when mass media, controlled by governmental forces, tries to justify occupation and annexation of other countries’ territories. (IPN)
Georgia’s Justice Minister to Meet Ukrainian Counterpart
Georgia’s Justice Minister Tea Tsulukiani pays an official visit to Ukraine.
Within the frameworks of the visit, the Georgian Justice Minister will meet her Ukrainian counterpart Pavlo Petrenko on May 28.
According to the Justice Ministry of Georgia, “the visit aims at deepening cooperation between the two countries.”
Minister Tsulukiani is accompanied by her three deputies : Gocha Lortkipanidze, Mikheil Sarjveladze and Aleksandre Tabatadze.
On May 29, Tea Tsulukiani will meet with the head of the State Archival Service of Ukraine and will also visit the Central State Historical Archive of Ukraine.
The Georgian delegation will wrap its visit to Ukraine on May 30. (Frontnews)
WIPO supports Georgia establish an intellectual property system
A specialized intellectual property agency of the United Nations is helping to develop Georgia’s economy by supporting the country develop an intellectual property system that will support innovative startups.
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is sharing top international experience with Georgia about how to create innovative enterprises. WIPO is a self-funding agency with 188 member states, including Georgia.
WIPO Director General Francis Gurry is visiting Georgia and holding meetings with Georgian officials to learn about the country’s progress developing an intellectual property system.
Gurry met Georgia’s Economy Minister and Vice Premier Giorgi Kvirikashvili. At the meeting the sides focused on evaluation and commercialisation of intellectual property issues.
Development of an intellectual property system was one of the priorities of the Georgian Government, within the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), Minister Kvirikashvili noted.
Yesterday Georgia and WIPO signed a Memorandum of Cooperation that aimed to create a strategy to support innovative activities and develop a geographical indications protection system.
Georgia became a member of WIPO in 1991.
WIPO is one of the 17 specialised agencies of the United Nations. WIPO was created in 1967 to encourage creative activity, to promote the protection of intellectual property throughout the world.
The WIPO website stated the agency’s mandate was to "help governments, businesses and society realize the benefits of IP [Intellectual Property]”. (Agenda.ge)
Zurab Japaridze denies his meeting with the Prime Minister
The four MPs who have left the UNM, had a meeting with US Ambassador. Meanwhile, it was reported that Zurab Japaridze had a meeting with the Prime Minister. However, the MP said that the spread of this information is a deliberate provocation. The Prime Minister also denied holding any consultation with the former National Movement members. (Rustavi2)
Georgia’s First Deputy Foreign Minister, Davit Dondua, has delivered a speech at a UN Security Council Session on the detention of Georgian journalists during the Russian invasion of Georgia. As the Foreign Ministry has informed InterPressNews, Davit Dondua has made a statement on behalf of Georgia.
The session was dedicated to the issue of journalist protection.
Davit Dondua welcomed putting an emphasis on the fact, adding that the Security Council needs to take more active steps to protect journalists working in conflict zones and dangerous situations.
“Providing journalists with security is a significant issue, as they are the first ones to spread information about this or other conflict - sometimes at the expense of their lives. Georgia experienced this tragedy as well, when three journalists were killed and four were wounded as a result of Russia’s aggression in August 2008. A Dutch journalist was also amongst those killed,” Davit Dondua said.
According to him, the installation of barbed wire barriers along Russia’s occupation line represents an obstacle for international humanitarian organizations and journalists, who want to enter the occupied territory and gain information about protection of human rights there.
“In April of 2014, Russia’s occupation forces illegally detained three Georgian journalists as they were covering the issue of barbed wire fences,” the Deputy Minister said.
Davit Dondua said the UN is obliged to strictly state that military occupation does not imply lifting of the responsibility for providing journalists with a safe environment.
The First Deputy Foreign Minister referred to the threats of spreading false information, in particular when mass media, controlled by governmental forces, tries to justify occupation and annexation of other countries’ territories. (IPN)
Georgia’s Justice Minister to Meet Ukrainian Counterpart
Georgia’s Justice Minister Tea Tsulukiani pays an official visit to Ukraine.
Within the frameworks of the visit, the Georgian Justice Minister will meet her Ukrainian counterpart Pavlo Petrenko on May 28.
According to the Justice Ministry of Georgia, “the visit aims at deepening cooperation between the two countries.”
Minister Tsulukiani is accompanied by her three deputies : Gocha Lortkipanidze, Mikheil Sarjveladze and Aleksandre Tabatadze.
On May 29, Tea Tsulukiani will meet with the head of the State Archival Service of Ukraine and will also visit the Central State Historical Archive of Ukraine.
The Georgian delegation will wrap its visit to Ukraine on May 30. (Frontnews)
WIPO supports Georgia establish an intellectual property system
A specialized intellectual property agency of the United Nations is helping to develop Georgia’s economy by supporting the country develop an intellectual property system that will support innovative startups.
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is sharing top international experience with Georgia about how to create innovative enterprises. WIPO is a self-funding agency with 188 member states, including Georgia.
WIPO Director General Francis Gurry is visiting Georgia and holding meetings with Georgian officials to learn about the country’s progress developing an intellectual property system.
Gurry met Georgia’s Economy Minister and Vice Premier Giorgi Kvirikashvili. At the meeting the sides focused on evaluation and commercialisation of intellectual property issues.
Development of an intellectual property system was one of the priorities of the Georgian Government, within the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), Minister Kvirikashvili noted.
Yesterday Georgia and WIPO signed a Memorandum of Cooperation that aimed to create a strategy to support innovative activities and develop a geographical indications protection system.
Georgia became a member of WIPO in 1991.
WIPO is one of the 17 specialised agencies of the United Nations. WIPO was created in 1967 to encourage creative activity, to promote the protection of intellectual property throughout the world.
The WIPO website stated the agency’s mandate was to "help governments, businesses and society realize the benefits of IP [Intellectual Property]”. (Agenda.ge)
Zurab Japaridze denies his meeting with the Prime Minister
The four MPs who have left the UNM, had a meeting with US Ambassador. Meanwhile, it was reported that Zurab Japaridze had a meeting with the Prime Minister. However, the MP said that the spread of this information is a deliberate provocation. The Prime Minister also denied holding any consultation with the former National Movement members. (Rustavi2)