President Can’t Promote "Our Voice to Europe" & more – 7th Dec 2023

Gamarjobat from Sant Gevasi! This is the Rorshok Georgia Update from the 7th of December twenty twenty-three A quick summary of what's going down in Georgia.

In December, Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili faced obstacles in promoting the "Our Voice to Europe" petition campaign, seeking EU candidate status for Georgia. Despite positive EU recommendations, and under obvious pressure from the government, several state universities denied her permission to lecture on EU integration and collect signatures on campuses. Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (or TSU) said in an extremely Russian way, Russians even have a word for it, “Vranyo” when you lie and everybody knows you are lying and you know they know, that’s the point, anyway, the TSU leadership said that a malfunctioning air conditioning system prevented holding the event, offering no alternative date. President Zurabishvili expressed frustration, asserting the campaign's non-political nature. Jaba Samushia, TSU's rector, also said that the President's Administration didn’t submit an official request to hold the conference. Akaki Tsereteli Kutaisi State University also rejected a lecture due to ongoing exams, emphasizing that it was an unsuitable time. Shota Meskhia Zugdidi State University joined the refusals, Despite setbacks, Zuorabichvili affirmed the campaign's resilience against government interference. Some of the Georgian Dream or Otsneba members questioned what lectures Zourabichvili could give to students when she brazenly breached the Constitution by which he meant that she visited European capitals without official government permission which is not a breach of the Constitution.

On Friday, the 1st, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili participated in the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (or COP28) in Dubai. The PM emphasized Georgia's dedication to combating climate change and implementing environmentally friendly projects, during the visit, he also took the opportunity to meet with European Council President Charles Michel to discuss Georgia's reforms toward European integration. Garibashvili expressed optimism about Georgia's EU candidacy to Michel, highlighting the nation's commitment to long-term reforms.

The Russo-Georgian Business Council hosted a meeting in Ingushetia, Russia, to strengthen tourism and cultural ties between the two countries. Representatives from both nations, including Russian officials and the Ministry of Economic Development delegates, attended the event. The council, established in February twenty twenty-three, focuses on collaboration in tourism infrastructure, service improvement, investment attraction, and promoting tourist routes. Yuri Balashov, the council's head, emphasized the importance of mutual understanding. In the meeting, the representatives discussed transport links, with Georgia emerging as a logistical hub. A leaked audio recording in February twenty twenty-three Grigory Karasin, chairman of the Russian Federation Council’s Foreign Affairs Committee, and Zurab Abashidze, the Georgian Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Russia, indicated discussions between Russian and Georgian representatives on regional infrastructure development.

On Tuesday the 5th, President Salome Zurabishvili celebrated International Volunteer Day at the Orbeliani Palace, recognizing Georgian warriors voluntarily fighting in Ukraine as embodiments of national honor. Attendees at the palace observed a moment of silence to pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives in Ukraine. Zurabishvili highlighted the historical significance of volunteering, citing the nineteen twenty-four oath-taking against a Soviet Regime by Kakutsa Cholokashvili a Georgian military officer and a commander of an anti-Soviet guerrilla movement in Georgia. Addressing volunteers, she emphasized the importance of voluntary service as a true manifestation of citizenship, acknowledging personal initiative and responsibility for the country. The president awarded medals to volunteers for their exceptional contributions to volunteer development, demonstrating strong civic engagement within the "Our Voice for Europe" campaign.

On Tuesday the 5th, RadioLiberty, an international media outlet, published an article saying that Russian activist Rafail Shepelev, missing in Georgia since mid-October, had been located in a pretrial detention center in Nizhny Tagil, in Russia. He faces terrorism charges linked to his involvement in the Art-podgotovka movement, labeled extremist and banned in twenty seventeen. Supposedly the Human rights activist Shepelev, who has resided in Georgia since twenty twenty-one, was tricked by Russian security forces, who took him from Tbilisi to Tskhinvali, then transported to Vladikavkaz and finally placed him in the Nizhny Tagil pretrial detention center. Shepelev's documents, including his passport, remained in Georgia. His situation echoes the disappearance of another activist, Lev Skoryakin, found in a Moscow detention center after going missing in Kyrgyzstan in October. There is credible evidence that the Georgian border guards and interior ministry are cooperating closely with and taking orders from Russian authorities and the FSB/KGB as it relates to Russian dissidents in Georgia or who want to enter Georgia.

On Thursday, the 30th, Teona Akubardia, MP from the Strategy Aghmashenebeli party, questioned a potential policy shift in Georgia regarding direct dialogue with Abkhazia, as the central government in Tbilisi does not directly communicate with the separatist government in Abkhazia. Akubardia mentioned an online meeting between Vakhtang Kolbaya, former Abkhaz government-in-exile chairman, and Sergey Shamba, the current leader of Abkhazia. Reportedly, the dialogue was about the importance of communication between the Abkhazian and Georgian sides. She noted the timing of the Enguri Bridge's reopening, which connects Georgia and Abkhazia, expressing surprise over the public disclosure. Akubardia emphasizes the lack of information on policy changes, urging clarity on whether the Otsneba renewed its approach. However, there is no official position on the policy change in Tbilisi.

On Tuesday the 5th and Wednesday the 6th, the 59th round of Geneva talks took place. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (or OSCE), the European Union, and the United Nations chaired the discussions between Georgia and the Russian Federation. Representatives from the US, Abkhazia, and Tskhinvali were also involved in the discussions. They talked about the crimes committed by the Russian military in Kirbal in November, the Killing of Georgian citizen Tamaz Ginturi, along with other issues. The Georgian delegation put forward all the challenges affecting the security and humanitarian situation in the occupied territories, including frequent kidnappings, ethnic discrimination, and the problem of internally displaced persons, or IDPs. The Russian delegation refused to hand over the killers and left the table after the Georgian delegation mentioned the IDPs, as they always do.

On Tuesday the 5th, fourteen members of the United National Movement or Natsebi in the Zugdidi Council (or Sakrebulo) left the party due to internal tensions and a leadership rift between current leader Levan Khabeishvili and ousted chairman Nika Melia. Dissatisfied with the party's direction, they announced their intention to form a new platform, emphasizing their commitment to democratic values and the release of former President Mikheil Saakashvili from prison. This development follows the Monday the 4th departure of members from Natsebi’s Batumi office, aligning with Melia. Recall that the Natsebi has been in turmoil since Khabeishvili defeated Melia in the leadership election, triggering internal divisions and accusations of interference.

On Tuesday, the 5th, the Enterprise Georgia agency presented its INVEST IN GEORGIA report, showcasing successful outcomes exceeding their twenty twenty target. INVEST IN GEORGIA is part of a larger organization called “Enterprise Georgia,” a government economic development agency that operates under the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development. Mikheil Khidureli, the agency’s director, said that INVEST IN GEORGIA attracted twenty-five international projects, created 6,000 new jobs, and secured a billion lari, about 370 million US dollars, in investments. Khidureli emphasized the agency's role in engaging with over 2,700 companies, conducting more than 300 meetings, and developing a list of potential investor companies within their three-year strategy. One of the reasons why foreign companies invest in Georgia is the state Foreign Direct Investment (or FDI) grant program, which enables international companies to receive up to a 15% return on invested amounts.

Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze said that the main Christmas tree on Shota Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi and the city's illuminations will be lit on Friday the 15th at eight PM. The "New Year's Village" will open near Orbeliani Square and Mother's Garden from the 16th of December to the 7th of January. The village will feature festive decorations, food markets, an ice rink, concerts, and entertainment for children, including Santa's house and an amusement park.

Aaaand that’s it for this week. Do you ever wonder who these Rorshok people are and why they care about what is going on in Georgia? If so, head over to our website to find out more about us and the other things that we do! You can read all about the organization, other projects we are carrying out, and the other podcasts we do. If something catches your eye, or you have any questions, please reach out. You can find all the contact information and the website link in the show notes.

Nakhvamdis!