Georgia's Euro-Atlantic ambitions are encouraged by Estonia

David Zalkaliani spoke over the phone with Eva-Maria Liimets, Estonia's Foreign Minister, on Russia's aggression in Ukraine and Georgia's European integration.

The two FMs discussed the security situation exacerbated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, according to a news statement from Georgia's Foreign Ministry. The parties shared information on political and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

The two senior diplomats also addressed Georgia's security problems, according to the same memo.

The Georgian MFA stated, "the importance for further participation of foreign partners in the area and to further strengthen support for our country was highlighted."

Foreign Minister Zalkaliani informed his Estonian counterpart about Georgia's EU membership application and the significance of being designated as a candidate nation.

FM Zalkaliani “emphasised Georgia's irreversible integration with the European Union, the progress made thus far, and future objectives, including full and consistent fulfilment of obligations made under the Association Agreement," the Ministry noted.

Eva-Maria Liimets, Estonia's senior diplomat, tweeted that she spoke with her Georgian colleague to reaffirm bilateral connections and Estonia's support for Georgia's Euro-Atlantic ambitions.

"We continue to strongly defend Ukraine's sovereignty [and] territorial integrity," the Estonian Foreign Minister stated.

German and U.S. Ambassadors on Georgia’s stance to Russia

Hubert Knirsch, the German ambassador to Georgia, and Kelly Degnan, the US ambassador to Georgia, have expressed their expectations for Georgia's stance on sanctions against Russia over its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

"The EU asks its linked partners to join its sanctions," Ambassador Knirsch said.

"What this implies in practise in the case of Georgia, what Georgia can and should do, is the topic of our negotiations with the Georgian government," Knirsch said.

He added that, "I expect these negotiations to move forward and produce results in the next days."

Meanwhile, Ambassador Kelly Degnan stated, "no one is pressuring Georgia's government to come up with bilateral sanctions if they do not want to, if that is not what they have decided to do."

"What is demanded of every country, including my own, and every other country standing up to Russian aggression is compliance with the multilateral sanctions framework," she said.

The US Ambassador emphasised that the two concerns should not be confused, adding that Georgia "complies with international sanctions" and has always been a "good partner" in this respect.

Officials from the Georgian Dream administration have consistently refused to join in Western sanctions against Russia, claiming that doing so would cause no harm to Russia and instead harm the Georgian people.

"No one can make us change our attitude on sanctions by any provocations, clandestine efforts, or foreign lobbyists," Georgian Dream chair Irakli Kobakhidze stated.

The GD head blamed the ruling party's arch-rival, the United National Movement, for orchestrating a "provocative campaign" behind the scenes to push for Georgia's inclusion in the sanctions.

Interior Minister of Georgia: "Over 12,000 Russians stayed in Georgia since Ukraine war"

Since Russia's conflict in Ukraine began, 12,638 Russian people have entered and stayed in Georgia, Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri announced.

According to Minister Gomelauri, 30,439 Russian citizens came in Georgia between February 24 and March 16, with 17,801 leaving and 12,638 remaining.

The latter statistic is fourteen times greater than data from 2019 — before the epidemic hindered travel — when 64,008 Russians entered Georgia, 63,097 departed, and 911 remained.

Many of the Russians who remain in Georgia, according to Minister Gomelauri, are in the towns of Bakuriani or Gudauiri, prominent winter destinations in Georgia, or Tbilisi, the capital.

He stated that "they'll probably depart."

According to the Minister, the number of Belarusians who arrived in Georgia between February 24 and March 16 jumped tenfold, from 1,678 to 15,777, compared to the same period last year.

The chief police officer also stated that officials had "tightened control" at border checkpoints but ruled out the idea of complete control over all Georgian border crossings.

31 Civil society organisations propose a 10-step EU Membership Plan

31 civil society organisations have offered a 10-step plan to the Georgian government on the road to EU membership, expressing their willingness to actively participate in the process.

First, the CSOs stressed the importance of developing a national plan for Georgia's EU membership as well as establishing an efficient monitoring system that includes civil society.

Second, they said that the democratic changes included in the EU-brokered April 19, 2021 agreement between the Georgian Dream and opposition parties will be implemented.

Third, CSOs stressed the need of bolstering diplomatic efforts to achieve the prompt adoption and efficient implementation of the new Georgia-EU Association Agenda by Member States.

Fourth, CSOs emphasised the importance of expediting the implementation of the European Commission Candidate Status Assessment Questionnaire through diplomatic measures.

Fifth, the signing civil society organisations advocated mobilising the necessary human, financial, and technical resources (including the formation of a relevant agency and/or inter-agency working group) to expedite the Questionnaire's submission.

Sixth, the strategy emphasised the necessity to revise the EU Integration Commission of Georgia's Statute to strengthen the intensity and efficiency of the commission's activity.

Seventh, to make the process more open and inclusive, such as by establishing a National Council for EU Accession, which is made up of specialists and serves as an advisory body.

Eighth, according to the April 19 agreement, the administration would explore naming opposition members as chairpersons of numerous Parliamentary committees, including those on European Integration and Foreign Relations.

The groups also stated that concrete actions must be done to reinforce the framework of the EU Associated Trio of Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine, repair ties with Ukraine, and hold a joint summit between the Trio and the EU.

Finally, the CSOs suggested that the government should ensure that expectations connected to the accession process are managed and that appropriate internal and external communication is maintained.

Interior Minister of Georgia: "Dozhd journalist prevented from entering Georgia due to his professional experience"

Mikhail Fishman, a Russian journalist and anchor of the now-suspended independent TV Dozhd (Rain), was not prevented from entering Georgia due to his professional experience, according to Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri.

According to the Minister, Georgia had already permitted over a dozen other journalists from the TV network to enter the country, making Fishman's assertion that he was denied entry for political reasons incorrect.

He emphasised that if the authorities had turned down Fishman "on principle," they would have turned down his colleagues as well.

Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri has denied claims that Russian journalist and presenter Mikhail Fishman of the now-suspended independent TV Dozhd (Rain) was denied entry to Georgia because of his professional background.

The besieged Russian TV network's correspondent informed that he was sent back by Georgian border police. "It's evident they didn't let me [in] because I'm a well-known Russian journalist," he suspected.

Another Russian journalist, David Frenkel of the independent online news source Mediazona, said on March 10 that he was denied entrance to Georgia after a 14-hour delay.