Press Digest 25.06.2014

Which issues must Georgia handle to integrate itself with the EU

Can we pin hopes only on Steinmeier? – Soso Tsintsadze

The legislative body to work in two cities simultaneously

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Which issues must Georgia handle to integrate itself with the EU

"Some issues including that of the visa liberalization process can be easily resolved if Georgia has not been thrown out of order, declared Head of the EU delegation in Georgia, Philip Dimitrov. As experts say, by issuing this statement, Mr. Dimitrov simply emphasized that Georgia has a lot left to do in this direction and first of all it needs to handle its legislative base. Allegedly, the EU keeps a close eye on social issues and this excessive attention to our social sphere can put a spoke in our wheel and can make the visa liberalization prospects blank,” reports the Rezonansi.

“Our great desire is to help Georgia in moving closer to the EU by letting it enjoy all economic and social advantages the EU gives to its members. These advantages include: an unimpeded transportation of goods, free movement of capital and all services you will enjoy after the overarching free trade agreement is completed. In addition, the most significant issue for an average Georgian that is visa liberalization involves a number of procedures that are rather cumbersome to execute, however, this issue can also be handled on Georgia’s account. But, bear in mind, similar issues can be resolved only if order is maintained in Georgia. Everything has run smoothly in your country thus far. We have given an extremely high evaluation to the readmission agreement which you have presented to us, and in the wake of this you have gotten a number of other programs. We do hope that you will stay on course and follow your chosen path in the future too,” declared Philip Dimitrov.

“As experts allege, by urging us to pass reforms, the EU wants us to set the legislative base in order and our companies will undoubtedly have to assume the responsibility of regulating the quality of their goods. As Georgia’s former Foreign Minister, Irakli Menagharishvili says in his interview with the Rezonansi, when it comes to visa liberalization, the EU member states urge each and every partner country to regulate the immigration laws. “Philip Dimitrov’s statement directly pointed to the necessity of intensifying work efforts in this direction. He underscored that we have already done a lot, however, the work must be seen through. We don’t really need to pass any special reforms; as you know, Georgia signed the cooperation agreement with the EU a couple of years ago. The document gives us exhaustive information on the requirements Georgia’s legislation must meet. It teaches us how to arrange our check points, how to prevent illegal migrants from slipping into our country. Thus, Georgia must deal with all these issues if it wants to move closer to the EU,” states Menagharishvili, who thinks that if we want to return our compatriots who now are now scattered throughout different parts of Europe back to our country, we must create better living conditions for them.”

“An extremely simple logic works here. No single Georgian – especially those who appreciate and observe our traditions – will leave their homeland if they don’t have to live a hardscrabble life here. Our Government must make an arduous effort to foster stability and maintain order in the country. Other kinds of details of purely technical nature will emerge in the process of negotiations… However, visa-free travel and an easy life are not self-implicating. By establishing this process, they simply want us to visit the EU member states and introduce ourselves to their lifestyle, culture, values etc.,” declares the former Foreign Minister.

Can we pin hopes only on Steinmeier? – Soso Tsintsadze

“Either we are a NATO member state and are safeguarded from external threats or we are on our own and vulnerable to all kinds of danger; there is no third option here,” declares political expert Soso Tsintsadze as per whom the integration with NATO is of vital importance for Georgia for which, in the experts words, Russia is a really great threat,” reports the Rezonansi gazette.

"We must ask our EU integration Minister, what he meant by alleging that the active cooperation with NATO is more important than MAP for us. Tell me, has our links with NATO ever been weak or feeble? Our only potential foe is Russia today. For the sake of augment, let’s assume that NATO will strengthen us. I simply do not know how it can make us a powerhouse state which will be able to counter Russia without assistance from allies. If this state decides to invade us, nothing on earth will snatch us out of the jaws of death. Thank God, Petriashvili stated that MAP does not give us a warrant of security. This was obvious though,” states Mt. Tsintsadze.

“Personally I exclude that a NATO Defense System will ever be installed in Georgia. I also do not think that if Russia decides to subject us to its overwhelming aggression it will employ missiles against us. It is simply ridiculous! Russia really does not need missiles or any kind strategic aviation when it comes to us. This country presides over the Rikoti Tunnel as well as the region of great strategic importance – Samachabo. So, either NATO takes us under its wing or lets us know that it is simply playing with us. I listened to Steinmeier, who as it appears, hopes that after Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine sign the deal, Russia will abstain from contriving some corrupt schemes. Can we pin hopes on Shtainmainer? Tell me please,” declares Mr. Tsintsdaze.

“We can cope with aggression from some kind of terrorist groups but we really cannot repel aggression from Russia. We want to enter NATO to gain a guarantee of security from this giant aggressor country. And without tangible consequences, the MAP as well as our cooperation with NATO means absolutely nothing,” concludes the respondent.

The legislative body to work in two cities simultaneously

"Georgia’s parliament will work in Tbilisi and Kutaisi simultaneously. As the representatives of the parliamentary majority say, a solution has been finally provided for this hotly debated issue – they MPs decided to hold committee hearings in Tbilisi and convene parliamentary sessions in Kutaisi,” reports the Rezonansi gazette.

"As per the constitution, this amendment must be made by the constitutional majority; however, this issue has not been thrown into the mix so far. They decided that the committees will work in Tbilisi’s parliament from September, while the sessions will be held in Kutaisi. Thus, from September, Georgia’s legislative body will operate in two cities,” declared Zurab Tkhemaladze.

“According to Head of the Parliament Administration, Shota Goshadze, Tbilisi’s parliament will be totally revamped in a month’s time. “The parliament is being refurbished now; however, the work will be over soon. Only some odds and ends are to be tied up and the two corps of the parliament will be totally revamped. As for the expenses, the refurbishment costs have hit about 15 million, some minor expenses may also be added to this sum though,” stated Mr. Goshadze.

"As for member of the parliamentary minority, Giga Tsereteli, he alleges that his team will never hold with the decision of stripping Kutaisi the status of a parliamentary city. “We have not detected any kind of positive economic changes in Kutaisi that will create new prospects for its development. That is why we do not plan to reverse our decision. As for their move to hold committee sessions in Tbilisi from time to time, this is acceptable for us... I understand those MPs who find it difficult to move from Tbilisi to Kutaisi every now and then; and if they will draw any kind of positive change in this direction, we will only welcome this,” states Gigi Tsereteli.