Prepared by Messenger Staff
UN Resident Coordinator Meets with Georgian Parliament Leadership
On March 27, UN Resident Coordinator Didier Trebucq and representatives from OHCHR, UNDP, UNFPA, and UN Women met with Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili and Deputy Speaker Nino Tsilosani to discuss cooperation under the new UN Cooperation Framework.
According to the UN Office in Georgia, discussions focused on supporting sustainable development and advancing the rights of women and children to foster prosperity in Georgia. The UN Country Team reaffirmed its commitment to promoting an equitable and inclusive society.
Following the meeting, Speaker Papuashvili described the talks as "valuable," highlighting ongoing and planned legislative work and Georgia's commitment to collaboration with the UN for the country's prosperity.
Khazaradze Interrogated at Tbilisi City Court, Expects Further Summons
Mamuka Khazaradze, leader of the Strong Georgia coalition, was questioned at Tbilisi City Court in the presence of a magistrate judge on March 27. The interrogation was related to his refusal to appear before the parliamentary commission investigating alleged crimes committed under the Unity - National Movement (UNM) government.
Following the session, Khazaradze told reporters that he expects to be summoned again. He reiterated his party's stance that the parliament is illegitimate, citing international assessments and sanctions against GD officials. "The main question was why I did not attend the so-called commission's session, which I have called a circus and a Bidzina show," he said.
Khazaradze stated that he brought documents referencing international decisions and a list of sanctioned officials to support his claim, but the judge did not allow him to present them. He defended his party's decision to abandon parliamentary mandates, emphasizing that it was a response to what he views as a lack of democratic legitimacy.
Georgia Appoints New Ambassadors to Turkey, Switzerland, and Cuba
Georgia appointed new ambassadors to Turkey, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Cuba, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Archil Kalandia was named Ambassador to Turkey. A diplomat since 2005, he previously served as Georgia's Ambassador to China from 2018 to 2023.
Shota Getsadze was appointed Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein. A former judge and expert on refugee and electoral law, he has worked with UNHCR, ICMPD, and the Council of Europe. He previously served at the Tbilisi Court of Appeals and was Georgia's envoy to Switzerland since June 2023.
Grigol Baramidze was appointed Ambassador to Cuba. He previously served as Georgia's Ambassador to Armenia and was Secretary General of Nino Burjanadze's Democratic Movement - United Georgia party until 2021.
