Georgian, and Azerbaijan PMs discuss increased trade, economic ties at...

The Georgian Government Administration said Kobakhidze thanked the Azerbaijani Government for hosting the Georgian delegation, underscoring the significance of the meeting in further strengthening bilateral relations.“Georgia and Azerbaijan firmly support each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity [...] In today’s rapidly changing and complex geopolitical landscape, the importance of peace and stability has become even more crucial for regional development and sustainable prosperity. I believe through our united efforts, we can not only overcome challenges but also seize existing opportunities for more effective cooperation”, Kobakhidze said.During the session, he introduced a tripartite cooperation initiative aiming to include all three South Caucasus countries - Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia - in various sectors, stressing the importance of energy and transport route functionality and regional security.The Prime Minister noted Azerbaijan had been among Georgia’s top five trade partners in recent years, asserting its status as “one of the most important strategic partners”.“We are collaboratively implementing several significant regional projects, including the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, the Baku–Tbilisi–Erzurum gas pipeline, the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, the Southern Gas Corridor, the Middle Corridor project, and the Black Sea submarine cable project. It is essential to focus our efforts on ensuring and promoting energy security and independence”, he said.Asadov congratulated Kobakhidze on his re-election following the recent parliamentary elections in Georgia. He noted 2024 was a “significant year” for both countries, marking the first presidential and parliamentary elections held on Azerbaijani sovereign territory.“Presidential and parliamentary elections were held in Georgia as well. The results of these elections in both countries reflect the will of the Azerbaijani and Georgian peoples. I am confident that our governments will continue to work together constructively, contributing to the development and prosperity of our nations”, he said.“Strengthening relations with Georgia is one of the priorities in Azerbaijan’s foreign policy. Recently, our strategic partnership has reached a new level of cooperation that encompasses all important areas. We consistently support each other during challenging times. I would like to highlight our mutual backing regarding territorial integrity. Our economic and trade collaboration is always important. Georgia is one of the most important trading partners of Azerbaijan”, Asadov added.

Kobakhidze arrived in Azerbaijan

Kobakhidze was met by Vice Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Samir Sharifov at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku.Within the framework of the visit, Irakli Kobakhidze will hold face-to-face meetings with President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister Ali Asadov.In addition, the 10th session of the Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation between Georgia and Azerbaijan will be held.Kobakhidze visited the Azerbaijani capital with a delegation, which includes Levan Davitashvili, the First Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development appointed by the Georgian Dream party; Maka Bochorishvili, the Minister of Foreign Affairs appointed by the "Dream" government; Davit Songulashvili, the Minister of Environment and Agriculture appointed by the "Georgian Dream", Tinatin Rukhadze, the Minister of Culture, and Levan Zhorzholiani, the Head of the "Dream" government's Administration.Earlier, on January 15, the media reported that Irakli Kobakhidze's official visit to the United Arab Emirates had been canceled. The visit was postponed by the host country.Kobakhidze's administration has not confirmed the cancellation of the visit, saying that the visit is at the end of the month and its date will be announced later.In addition, Georgia will not participate in the Davos World Economic Forum and the Munich Security Conference in 2025, as he has not been invited.“Kobakhidze has not received an invitation to any of the events so far,” the administration of the “Dream” government states.The Davos World Economic Forum is being held in Davos, Switzerland, on January 20-24. 60 heads of state and 130 countries are participating in it.The Munich Security Conference is scheduled for February 14-16 this year.

Amnesty International calls on laws passed by GD draconian

“The Georgian authorities’ use of newly enacted, draconian legislation to suppress peaceful dissent marks a disturbing escalation in their crackdown on human rights. The laws, hurriedly passed in December 2024, effectively criminalize even symbolic acts of protest, such as placing stickers on public property. These measures are being deliberately wielded to target peaceful protestors and stifle dissenting voices, including journalists, human rights defenders, and political activists.”“The Georgian authorities must urgently release all those detained for peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and conduct prompt, thorough and impartial investigations into all allegations of unlawful and disproportionate use of force by police.”Between 11 and 12 January, more than 20 people — including activists, media workers, and members of the political opposition — were arrested in Tbilisi and Batumi during protests held in solidarity with previously detained pro-European demonstrators.Some, including activists Tsiala Katamidze and Mate Tsentradze, were detained in Batumi under a newly enacted law that prohibits the placing of protest stickers on public buildings. Mzia Amaghlobeli, founder of the media companies Batumelebi and Netgazeti, was arrested twice on 12 January. Initially detained for the administrative “offence” of posting a protest sticker, she was later re-arrested as a criminal suspect, with the charges against her yet to be disclosed. Human rights defender Gia Jvarsheishvili, who previously reported being tortured during detention in December, was also re-arrested on 11 January and later hospitalized.Human rights defenders reported delays in accessing detainees, amid allegations that several of them had been subjected to beatings, ill-treatment, and verbal abuse by police.New legislation that came into effect on 30 December imposed further arbitrary restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, introducing hefty fines for putting up protest slogans or posters, and granting police the power to detain individuals “preventatively” on suspicion of planning to violate the rules governing public assembly or other laws, for up to 48 hours.

Georgian FM: PACE co-rapporteurs’ visit “important opportunity” to add...

Speaking to Imedi TV, the official noted the PACE representatives would hold meetings with legislators and Government officials.Co-rapporteurs Claude Kern and Edite Estrela are set to arrive in Tbilisi on Tuesday as part of a fact-finding mission. Their visit, running until Thursday, will assess Georgia’s compliance with its obligations and commitments as a member state of the Council of Europe, the PACE press office said last week.The delegation’s agenda includes meetings with political leaders, Government representatives, civil society organisations, and members of the international community.

Zourabichvili predicts "two options" to GD

Georgia’s fifth president, Salome Zourabichvili declares that the government is falling apart.Zourabichvili explains that the only way out of the political crisis is through new elections, with no viable alternative.“Elections have no alternative. This is not just a principle but a reality in any country facing such a deep crisis. You cannot emerge from this kind of crisis without elections, and no one can govern a country against its people for long.The government is already disintegrating. There are serious questions within its vertical structure. The police are struggling to accept that they must obey a criminal hierarchy rather than a regular institutional one. No institution or individual who isn’t entirely compromised can endure being controlled in this way, subjected to direct instructions.Today, the ruling party has two options: first, to recognize reality, understand what the Georgian people want, and move towards organizing new elections together with the forces within the country and in line with the existing recommendations. A document is being prepared on this matter and will be practically ready in the coming days.The second option is much more difficult and damaging for the country if anyone in the ruling party truly cares about the nation. It would involve waiting for the complete collapse of the ruling party, which would require a different type of responsibility-sharing. However, this will happen if the ruling party does not acknowledge the joint demands of our people and our partners that nothing in this country can be resolved without new elections.We are prepared for both alternatives, and we will remain ready. This struggle continues, with its main component being the people who are standing on the streets, whom I support as much as I can. These people are not only in Tbilisi but also outside the capital,” Zourabichvili stated.