1. Georgia apologizes for extraditing Iranian national to the US in 2008
Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze has apologized to Iran for the extradition of an Iranian national to the United States in 2008. Vashadze made the apology during a meeting with Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani in Tehran on Monday. He said the extradition of Amir-Hossein Ardebili took place at a time when Georgia was in a complex political situation.[when Saakashvili attacked South Ossetia - ed.]
…During the meeting, Larijani expressed disapproval of the presence of foreign powers in the region. “The problems and crises of the region should be revolved through regional countries, and the presence of foreign powers only complicates the situation,” Larijani said. He went on to say that the insecurity in Afghanistan and Iraq affects all other countries in the region.
more @ press tv
2. Georgia backs Iranian nuclear program
Tehran : Visiting Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze said on Monday that the Islamic Republic of Iran as signatory to Non-Proliferation Treaty should benefit from nuclear energy for civilian utility. The Georgian foreign minister made the remarks in a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki in Tehran. The issue of confidence-building is of prime importance which should be taken into account in talks between Iran and the international community, he said. He said that his country welcomes active role of Iran to implement various development projects in Georgia mainly in energy sector. He thanked Iran for helping Georgia with gas supply when Russia stopped gas flow to Georgia in the winter 2006. “Iran proved its sincerity through timely action.” Expressing satisfaction with expansion of ties and cooperation with Iran during his talks with the Iranian foreign minister, he underlined the need to enhance level of trade between the two countries.
3. Georgia leaves CIS — sort of
On January 22 Georgian parliament will officially secede from the Inter-parliamentary Assembly of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) explaining that the assembly has always been a formal structure without any functions. Remarkably, saying good-bye to the CIS Georgia plans to stay in nearly 75 international treaties signed within CIS framework. A logical question arises: whom do current Georgian authorities want to show their independence from the CIS to and why?
As is known, Georgia joined the CIS in 1994 closing the list of members. Tbilisi seriously expected that CIS membership would solve problems with Abkhazia and South Ossetia that already then pressed for their independence.
Nonetheless, with Mikheil Saakashvili’s advent to power Georgia drastically changed the vector of its foreign policy pursuing US interests in South Caucasus. In the aftermath of August 2008 events Tbilisi decided to leave the CIS on the pretext that after the war with Georgia Russia recognized Abkhazia’s and South Ossetia’s independence.
A short while later the European Union announced launch of Eastern Partnership scheme, essentially the CIS’s direct competitor, aimed at close cooperation with 6 ex-USSR republics - Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Moldavia, Ukraine and Belarus. Except for financial profit, free trade zones and facilitated visa regime were promised to the members. In May 2009 Mikheil Saakashvili swore Georgia had irrevocably seceded from the CIS and now the EU is its “natural partner”.
It is noteworthy that so far Tbilisi and Europe are not exactly on “free-trade terms”: the related agreement is still under preparation. As for visa-free access to Europe for Georgian citizens the recently reported seizure of a train in Poland by Georgian migrants will make Brussels think thoroughly before taking a decision like that.
Remarkably, the CIS is not upset about Georgia’s departure from the Commonwealth. The Georgian parliament’s decision to secede from the Inter-parliamentary assembly was taken ambiguously. First of all, the organization believes that if Georgia departs from the CIS IPA it will not be for a long time. Secondly, in November the Secretary General of Inter-parliamentary Assembly Council informed about Georgia’s intention to remain in 75 treaties and contracts including a crucial free trade zone agreement.
In reality Georgia wants to adhere to free trade zone agreements within Eastern Partnership and CIS frameworks. Here is a question: why did Tbilisi decide to leave the Commonwealth for good?
4. Saakashvili accused of interfering in domestic affairs of Ukraine by sending a couple thousand election monitors
According to the statement of the pro-opposition of Democratic Movement-United Georgia movement council, by sending over 2000 monitors to presidential elections in Ukraine, the government of Georgia rudely interfered in the domestic affairs of the country and impaired Georgia’s image - RIA Novosti. The party believes that sending the aforesaid monitors “caused tension in electoral process.”
…The first tour of presidential elections in Ukraine took place on January 17th. Before the elections 400 Georgian “monitors” arrived in Donetsk. The President of Georgia commented the incident and said that monitors were sent on the request of Ukrainian people, and “their arrival was hailed with heart and soul”. According to Saakashvili, “their stay there was on my order agreed with all political forces, we received confirmation and agreement from all. Surely, before the second tour we’ll ask them again whether they want to involve our monitors. It’s up to them to decide.”
5. Laborites apologized to Ukrainians for Saakashvili
The Labour party of Georgia condemns President Mikheil Saakashvili for his actions in regard to Ukraine and apologizes for the incident with Georgian “monitors” to Ukraine and its people - Georgia Times correspondent in Tbilisi. At today’s press conference Shalva Natelashvili, the party leader, on behalf of the Georgian people apologized to Ukrainians and asked not to make equal Saakashvili and Georgian society.
He said that events in Ukraine again confirmed that Saakashvili is the biggest, global threat for Georgia.
“Sending to Kyiv, Donetsk and other cities and regions of Ukraine the so-called monitors who in fact turned out special services employees, can spoil relations between Ukraine and Georgia, ” Natelashvili said.
He alluded to the statements of Ukrainian politicians about possible visa regime between the countries and said it would be followed by deportation of thousands of Georgians, staying in Ukraine. Besides, he was worried about Yanukovich’s team making statements about possible recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
