As Vesti.az reports, Berset stated that Europe’s geopolitical center is shifting eastward along the 39th parallel north, and this axis passes through four Council of Europe member states – Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia and Turkey.“Europe’s geopolitical center is shifting eastward, along the 39th parallel north. This axis passes through four member states,” Berset said.Georgia's Growing Role in European SecurityAccording to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Turkey are located at the intersection of several important geopolitical processes at the same time.According to him, these processes include the war in Ukraine, conflicts in the Middle East, as well as the ongoing political and economic changes in Central Asia, the scale of which Europe has not yet fully understood.In this context, Georgia's location is particularly important, as the country represents one of the important connecting links between Europe and the South Caucasus and participates in the transport, energy and trade processes taking place in the region.Relations between Baku and YerevanBerse also paid special attention to relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.According to him, one year after the signing of the Washington Declaration, Baku and Yerevan have a real opportunity to turn the progress achieved into sustainable peace.In addition, he said, Armenia and Turkey have also taken steps towards normalizing relations.European security is unthinkable without TurkeyThe Secretary General of the Council of Europe also emphasized the special role of Turkey. Turkey is the most numerous state among the member states of the Council of Europe and has the second largest armed forces among NATO members.“A serious discussion on security, including democratic security, on this continent is impossible without Turkey,” said Berce.In his assessment, an agreement between governments alone is not enough for sustainable peace. This requires trust between societies, respect for human rights and the existence of institutions that can support the reconciliation process.Berce also warned the member states of the Council of Europe that the strength of the common European legal space depends on the equal observance of its norms by all states. He said that this also requires trust, transparency and the absence of double standards.

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As stated in the joint declaration, the Foreign Ministries reaffirm their full support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.“August 7th is a date when we remember the grave consequences of Russian imperialism. On this day in 2008, the Russian Federation took military action against Georgia, further damaging Georgia’s territorial integrity by occupying the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.18 years after the Russian aggression, we reaffirm our full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders. We welcome the Republic of Naoero’s decision to withdraw its recognition of the so-called independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. We urge states that have established diplomatic relations with these entities to follow this example.We reiterate our condemnation of Russia’s ongoing military presence in the occupied breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in violation of international law as well as Russia’s obligations under the six-point agreement of 12 August 2008. Russia’s ongoing militarisation of Georgia’s occupied territories poses a serious threat to the security of Georgia and to regional and European stability.In October 2025, the European Court of Human Rights found the Russian Federation guilty of many violations committed in the occupied breakaway regions, including excessive use of force, ill-treatment, unlawful detention and unlawful restrictions on day-to-day movement across the administrative boundary line between Georgian-controlled territory and Russian-occupied territory. We urge Russia to implement the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights relating to this situation and to fully fulfil the commitments it made on August 12 and September 8, 2008,” the statement reads.Furthermore, the Foreign Ministries of France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom expressed grave concern over the recent agreement signed between Moscow and the de facto authorities of South Ossetia, describing it as a clear violation of international law.“We are concerned about the latest developments in South Ossetia. The “Agreement on Deepening Alliance and Cooperation” signed on May 9, 2026, between Moscow and the de facto authorities of South Ossetia further violates Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, in clear breach of international law. This document, as well as the appointment of a Russian citizen to head the region, raises concerns about a possible full-fledged annexation of the region, which would not go unanswered.We reaffirm our support for the “Geneva International Discussions” (GID) platform, co-chaired by the European Union, the OSCE, and the United Nations. This is the only framework that will enable the parties to work towards conflict resolution. We commend the work of the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM), and we will continue to support the role of the mission,” the joint statement concludes.

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Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen wrote on X that, since Russia’s 2008 invasion, Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region (“South Ossetia”) have remained under occupation.“Finland firmly supports Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We call on Russia to fulfill its obligations under the 2008 ceasefire agreement,” Valtonen said.A statement in support of Georgia was also issued by the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ministry emphasized that Latvia will continue to support the Georgian people in their efforts to resist Russian occupation forces and their allies.“On the 18th anniversary of Russia’s aggression against Georgia, Latvia reaffirms its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and strongly condemns the occupation of South Ossetia and Abkhazia,” the statement reads.Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže also addressed the issue on social media.“18 years have passed since Russia launched its military aggression against Georgia. Despite this, 20% of Georgia’s territory remains under Russian occupation. Latvia will never recognize this and unwaveringly supports Georgia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and internationally recognized borders,” Braže wrote.During the August 2008 Russia-Georgia war, 170 servicemen of the Georgian Ministry of Defense, 14 employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and 224 civilians were killed. The total number of wounded and injured civilians and military personnel reached 2,232, including 1,045 servicemen.Today, 20% of Georgia’s internationally recognized territory remains occupied. The Russian Federation continues to occupy and militarize Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region, carrying out illegal military exercises, strengthening the occupation line with barbed wire and various artificial barriers, and continuing the practice of illegal detention and abduction of local residents.Shortly after the end of the war, Russia recognized the independence of Abkhazia and “South Ossetia,” despite the fact that the international community continues to firmly support Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty within its internationally recognized borders.

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The so-called intergovernmental agreement was signed in Moscow on December 27, 2025. The official goal of the document is to deepen socio-economic cooperation, raise the living standards of the population, and promote economic and investment activity.Funding Directions and Conditions Social and Cultural Sphere: The allocated financial assistance is directed to projects in the fields of education, youth policy, child rearing, cultural exchange and tourism. Law enforcement agencies: The agreement envisages increasing the salaries and social guarantees of employees of the so-called Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Prosecutor's Office and the State Protection Service of the occupied region. Provision of Medicines: The document also stipulated that the responsibility for the provision of medicines to Russian citizens permanently residing in the occupied territory lies with the local de facto authorities.

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By the decision of the head of government, First Deputy Minister of Culture Maka Gurgenidze also resigned. In addition, according to another order dated July 28, the Prime Minister appointed Mikheil Kiknadze as First Deputy Minister of Culture.Tinatin Rukhadze announced her resignation from the post of Minister of Culture yesterday, July 28. In an address published on her personal Facebook page, she cited her health as the reason for her decision and noted that the current situation does not allow her to devote due attention to her beloved work.

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As the Embassy explained, they firmly oppose censorship and restrictive laws that are used to silence people with undesirable views.“The Trump administration has clearly stated that the United States considers freedom of speech a fundamental foundation of a functioning society, and we firmly oppose censorship and those restrictive laws that are used to silence people with undesirable views. As we have also shared with our Georgian partners, stability requires a political opposition that cooperates with state institutions on behalf of the citizens who voted for them. Political stability, ensured by a broad representation of views, is part of the factors that make Georgia a reliable partner for American investments, security cooperation, and long-term strategic partnership.We are concerned about the Georgian government’s Directorate for Combating Hate Speech. The best response to lies and false views is more freedom of speech, not enforced silence,” - the US Embassy noted.

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During the visit, the parties signed a joint statement, as well as agreements and memorandums of understanding on cooperation in various fields.The Middle Corridor and Transport and Logistics PotentialThe meeting between the leaders focused on the importance of developing the Trans-Caspian international transport route - the Middle Corridor - and the need to attract additional cargo flows in this direction.According to the head of the Georgian government, Irakli Kobakhidze, Georgia is actively following the ongoing infrastructure and logistics projects in Turkmenistan, which have created a solid foundation for expanding regional ties.“Central Asia is a particularly interesting region for Georgia. In this context, we consider Turkmenistan as a reliable partner and friendly state. The relations established between our countries are based on many years of friendship and mutual respect,” Irakli Kobakhidze said.Increasing trade turnover and business forumTurkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized that Georgia is one of Turkmenistan’s main economic partners in the region and the country highly appreciates Tbilisi’s constructive position in the international arena.According to him, the Turkmenistan-Georgia business forum held within the framework of the visit showed that there is great potential for increasing bilateral trade volumes and expanding product exchanges: Political and diplomatic ties: The parties agreed to strengthen diplomatic efforts to ensure long-term partnership. International formats: Cooperation with global organizations is expanding, especially within the framework of the United Nations (UN). Diversification: The Turkmen side expresses its readiness to diversify economic ties with Georgian business. “We agreed to expand political relations, diplomatic efforts so that our ties can continue in the long term. We attach special importance to business relations and we want to diversify our economic ties,” Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted.Support for Sovereignty and Humanitarian PartnershipAt the briefing, the Georgian Prime Minister thanked the Turkmen authorities for their firm support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.In addition to economic and transit directions, the leaders discussed better utilization of the potential in the tourism sector, stimulation of bilateral tourist flows, deepening people-to-people ties, and cooperation in the fields of education and culture.For information, this is the second state visit of the President of Turkmenistan to Georgia. The first such visit took place in 2015, when former President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow visited the country.

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According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in her speech, the Minister emphasized that, against the backdrop of modern security challenges, placing the issue of political terrorism on the international agenda is of particular importance.“This discussion is particularly timely, as today we are faced with complex and constantly changing challenges that directly affect our national interests, sovereignty, and security,” said Maka Bochorishvili.The Vice Prime Minister drew attention to the risks posed by radical groups. According to him, these forces often act in the name of democracy, although their real goal is to weaken state institutions.According to the Minister, Georgia is a vivid example of these challenges, where in recent years there have been numerous attempts to polarize society and discredit state systems: Coordinated campaigns: targeted actions against constitutional bodies, including the judiciary and electoral systems. Violence and sabotage: attempts by radical groups to use violent acts as a political tool. In his speech, the Foreign Minister also spoke about the role of international organizations and the need to protect their reputation. According to Bochorishvili, the use of international mechanisms or resolutions for the purpose of external pressure damages both bilateral relations and the credibility of these institutions themselves.“The use of international institutions to legitimize such actions through resolutions and other mechanisms aimed at exerting political pressure on sovereign states is no less worrying,” the minister noted.At the end of her speech, Maka Bochorishvili noted that political terrorism often manifests itself in hidden and imperceptible forms (including intimidation and political violence), which is why the fight against it should be a common task for all democratic states.According to Reuters, the aforementioned ministerial is aimed at mobilizing global support from the US against “far-left political terrorism.” The White House believes that these movements have so far remained beyond the attention of law enforcement agencies.According to the agency, more than 60 countries were represented at the meeting organized by the US State Department - some of them at the level of foreign or interior ministers, and others at the level of relatively low-ranking officials.The Trump administration has made combating far-left groups, particularly Antifa, a top priority since the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk last year. The US State Department has said that attacks by far-left actors on police, businesses and infrastructure are an ideologically driven strategy aimed at destabilizing free societies. To this end, since November last year, Washington has officially designated several European far-left and anarchist groups as terrorist organizations (FTOs).

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During the meeting, the project’s legal consultant and mediator presented potential organizational and membership fee models, drawing on examples from other countries and local associations. By the end of the meeting, the participants agreed on the best model to ensure the sustainable development of the meat sector.The Georgian Meat Producers' Association aims to facilitate communication between farmers, consumers, state agencies, and international or local partners, while prioritizing the best interests of sector representatives and adhering to international standards. Ultimately, this will contribute to food safety, product traceability, and the sustainable development of the meat sector in the country. The Association actively cooperates with state and international organizations to help refine sector policies and legislation. Its priority is to increase access to financial instruments, investment projects, and various support programs for sector representatives."Meat suppliers represent different sub-sectors and are often competitors, yet they all share a common goal: supplying retail chains with safe products that meet consumer demands. The sector is quite fragmented, which is why our objective is to consolidate them around their shared interests. This will help them find common ground, develop action plans, and focus on addressing existing challenges. Furthermore, the presence of the Association will assist the government in identifying issues within the meat sector and responding to them efficiently. In establishing this Association, we drew upon leading European Union practices, which we believe will significantly support the organization’s future operations and development," said Mikheil Sokhadze, FAO Project Manager.The NAITS project is implemented by the FAO in cooperation with the National Food Agency, with financial support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), as part of International Partnerships Austria. 

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According to the Presidential Administration, Kavelashvili stated that Berdimuhamedow’s first state visit to Georgia marks an important milestone in the development of bilateral relations and serves as a clear indication of strengthened high-level political dialogue between the two countries.During the meeting, the sides discussed prospects for expanding cooperation between Georgia and Turkmenistan. Particular attention was paid to deepening trade and economic ties, promoting investments, and enhancing cooperation in the fields of energy, transport, and logistics, as well as making more effective use of the strategic potential of the Middle Corridor.“The parties noted that Georgia, as a key link connecting Europe and Asia, is interested in further developing transit connections, including through the future opportunities offered by the Black Sea ports and the Anaklia Deep Sea Port,” the Presidential Administration said.The presidents also discussed strengthening cooperation in the fields of culture, education, and science. The importance of people-to-people contacts, the development of youth and academic exchange programs, and support for joint cultural initiatives were highlighted.According to the Presidential Administration, Mikheil Kavelashvili thanked President Serdar Berdimuhamedow for Turkmenistan’s support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.The official visit of President Berdimuhamedow to Georgia began today. A face-to-face meeting between Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and Berdimuhamedow, as well as bilateral meetings with Georgian ministers, are scheduled for tomorrow.

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