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The News in Brief

Thursday, October 10
By Lizi Zurabiani



Georgian wine was presented at San Sebastian Gastronomic Exhibition

Georgian wine was presented at the World Gastronomic Exhibition in San Sebastian, Spain, with the support of the National Wine Agency of San Sebastian Gastronomika 2019. On the initiative of the Embassy of Georgia in Spain, the Basque government provided a free stand for Georgia at the exhibition.

San Sebastian Gastronomika is an annual event and is one of the largest in the world in terms of the number of participating countries and the number of professional visitors. The world's leading chefs, cooks, wine professionals, and trade networkers gather on it.

“To diversify the Georgian wine export markets, this exhibition is one of the most interesting and promising and its participation will further promote the awareness and popularization of Georgian wine.

Along with tasting Georgian wine, the Basque restaurant in the exhibition area for three days, before each culinary event, guests had the opportunity to taste Georgian wine,” reads the statement.



Geogap regional tour was held

In the town of Mestia and Zugdidi, the Association of Farmers of Georgia held meetings on the primary production standard of fruit and vegetables and the mobile application agronomist on October 7-9. The regional meetings organized by the Farmers Association, local farmers and hotel representatives attended.

The goal of Geogap is to certify safe and traceable fruit and vegetable producers to ensure the production and sale of produce in accordance with the GeoGap standard requirements, taking into account the economic, social and environmental aspects of farming.

The goal of the Georgian Farmers Association is to increase and maintain the quality of primary production in the country through manufacturer certification. Also, improving the state of food security. The standards developed by the Georgian Farmers' Association have been developed with the support of Project Growth in Georgia, which will significantly help small and medium-sized farmers improve product quality. The introduction of the primary production standard for fruits and vegetables is essential to ensure that farmers' products are internationally competitive.

“During the meetings, the farmers and hotel representatives also received detailed information on the application of agronomy product sales opportunities and the advantages of using modern technologies in the agricultural sector.

In case of involvement in these projects, the association will assist farmers in the development and sale of products,” reads the statement.



Patriarch demands restoration of status quo before demarcation process with Davit Gareja

Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II addresses the Prime Minister of Georgia, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Head of the State Agency for Religious Affairs and the Head of the Transcaucasian Muslims Division regarding the issue of Davit Gareja. Patriarch demands the restoration of the status quo before the demarcation process is completed so that pilgrims, tourists, and clergy can enter the monastery.

Ilia II writes that the actions of the Azeri side, which forbids pilgrims, tourists, and clergy from entering the monasteries of the desert and Chichkhuturi, are unclear.

"It turns out that the reality of so long this year, without any logic, has changed, which we cannot tolerate," said the patriarch.

The Patriarch hopes that the Azeri authorities will take into account the situation, make a fair decision and that the neighborly relations between the two nations will have no alternative.

Restrictions on the movement of Davit Garejai Monastery on the Georgian-Azerbaijani border were imposed. As Deputy Foreign Minister Lasha Darsalia explained, restrictions were imposed on security and preventing further incidents.

Clashes took place between the local population and the Azerbaijani border guards at the Davit Gareja border section on July 14th. According to Darsalia, after the incident, the Azerbaijani side increased the number of border guards in its territory and deployed the temporary infrastructure needed for logistical support. At the same time, the number of Georgian border guards has increased.

The situation on the Georgian-Azerbaijani border over Davit Gareja has escalated several times in recent months. The road was blocked for four days at the monastery in April but was later reopened. A special commission is working on the issue of border demarcation, which includes representatives of the Azerbaijani and Georgian sides.



Trial of 85-year-old Omar Gamkrelidze and his grandson continues in Telavi court

Ongo Gamkrelidze, 85, and his grandson are being tried in the Telavi District Court for the murder that took place in the Kandauri district.

One witness at the hearing was interrogated remotely.

Tamar Todadze, an expert in the Forensic Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs explained in detail the results of the forensic examination of the evidence. He said no fingerprints were found on the guns and cartridges because the materials were unsuitable for identification.

Today's trial was not attended by 85-year-old Omar Gamkrelidze due to his health conditions.

The state indictment alleges assisting 85-year-old Omar Gamkrelidze in the murder, while his granddaughter is accused of illegal possession and possession of ammunition.

The next hearing is scheduled for October 28, 16:00.