Issue #1303 by Georgia Today

Issue no: 1303

• JULY 2 - 8, 2021 • PUBLISHED WEEKLY

PRICE: GEL 2.50

In this week’s issue... Carl Hartzell: We All See Progress Regarding Ninotsminda Orphanage NEWS PAGE 2

Committee Rapporteurs to Enhance Legislative and Oversight Role of Georgian Parliament POLITICS PAGE 4

FOCUS

ON IMPROVING GEORGIA'S HEALTHCARE SYSTEM Genetic laboratory and research center Med-Diagnostics helps citizens spread their wings through a fast and convenient service of Covid testing

PAGE 8

Natia Tsabutashvili, owner of Med-Diagnostics

The 2021 Tbilisi Pride: Georgia Divided while Int’l Community Demands Tolerance BY TEAM GT

don't consider Pride Week expedient. There are specific groups that may misuse it, on both sides, - Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze told reporters this week, noting that he believes freedom of expression is protected in the country. “Years ago, we passed an important law, based on which everyone is equal and everyone has the opportunity to express themselves. Freedom of expression is protected in the country, you will be unable to recall any cases where people's freedom of expression has been restricted,” he claimed. Asked by a journalist as to whether the government attaches great importance to the supporters of right-wing politicians Levan Vasadze and Guram Palavandishvili, Kakha Kaladze said: “What does Palavandishvili have to do with it? Those who act wrongly and break the law will be punished accordingly.” Continued on page 2

Carrefour and MasterCard Partner to Bring Customers a Summer Surprise! BUSINESS PAGE 6

LG Enhance Commitment to Georgian Market with Focus on Local Partnerships and Investment BUSINESS PAGE 6

New Offer from Batumi View Apartments BUSINESS PAGE 8

Mtatsminda Makeover – Reviving Tbilisi’s Iconic Ridge for Generations to Come SOCIETY PAGE 9

They Do a Good Job, But… CULTURE PAGE 11 CULTURE PAGE 11 Prepared for Georgia Today Business by

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NEWS

GEORGIA TODAY JULY 2 - 8, 2021

Carl Hartzell: We All See Progress Regarding Ninotsminda Orphanage BY ANA DUMBADZE

e have all seen the progress that has been made in the last few days in removing a large number of children from boarding school, – EU Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell said after his meeting this week at the Patriarchate. “At the same time, monitoring of the condition of children who remain in the school continues.” The Ambassador noted that during the meeting with representatives of the Patriarchate and the Ministry of Health, they discussed the next steps to ensure the well-being of the children. “I attended the meeting with the representatives of the Patriarchate and the Ministry of Health. UNICEF also participated. First of all, we discussed the

situation at the Ninotsminda orphanage. I think we are all seeing the progress that has been made in the last few days

in removing a large quantity of children from the boarding house. At the same time, monitoring of the condition of

children who remain in boarding school will continue. “I believe now we see the level of openness and transparency around the created situation, which is absolutely necessary and it is good. “We’ve discussed what the next steps will be now to ensure that the focus on the well-being of these children is maintained. We also had the opportunity to discuss broader issues in the direction of deinstitutionalization. I saw that a working group has been set up in Parliament to work on the Code of Children’s Rights, which is very welcome. The role of Parliament will be very useful in this process. On behalf of the European Union, I can say that we are already involved in this process and we want to make sure that we can continue to help in this process. I would say that today’s meeting was very useful,” Hartzell said. At this stage, there is no talk of closing the Ninotsminda children’s boarding

school, where alleged crimes against children took place over the past years. The construction of small orphanages is planned in Ninotsminda, the head of the public relations department of the Patriarchate, Archpriest Andria Jagmaidze, said after a meeting between the Minister of Health, Ekaterine Tikaradze and representatives of the Patriarchate. He noted that the orphanages to be built in Ninotsminda will meet international standards. Recently, the boarding school was visited by Public Defender Nino Lomjaria, who got acquainted with the situation on the ground. “I don’t believe the children can express their will freely in these walls, in this space and in the conditions of those caregivers they had, so it is very important that these children be transferred to alternative care,” she told reporters on June 28.

The 2021 Tbilisi Pride: Georgia Divided while Int’l Community Demands Tolerance Continued from page 1 On July 5, Tbilisi Pride will hold a ‘March of Honor’ on the central Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi. The slogan of the march will be ‘Come Out for Solidarity.’ In addition, Tbilisi Pride will organize a documentary film screening and a music festival during Pride Week. On Monday, 28 members of the European Parliament called on the Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia, Vakhtang Gomelauri, to protect the freedom of expression and security of the Tbilisi Pride events. The MEPs wrote a letter to Gomelauri, and also addressed the EU Ambassador Carl Hartzell, and Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The MEPs wrote that the recent comment of Irakli Kobakhidze, the Chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party, in which he said the march of dignity should not take place, goes against universal human rights. “Dear Vakhtang Gomelauri, Minister of Internal Affairs, Government of Georgia, “Between 1-5 July, Tbilisi will see its Pride March celebrations take place. These will include three main activities throughout the five days, including the official premiere of ‘March for Dignity,’ a documentary about the first-ever Tbilisi Pride Week in 2019 (1 July), the Pride Fest with local and international artists (3 July) and the Pride ‘March for Dignity,’ co-organized by local social movements (5 July). Collectively, these will constitute a major event where the diversity of the LGBTI community is celebrated and affirmed,” the MEPS wrote. “Pride demonstrations are peaceful tools for political advocacy and one way in which the universal right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly is crystallized. They are a hallmark of the LGBTI activist movement, a pillar for social visibility, and they are equally political demonstrations during which the community voices its concerns, highlights its achievements and gives an opportunity to its members to demonstrate in favor of equality. As such, the recent comments of the Chair of the Ruling Georgian Dream Party, Irakli Kobakhidze, who said that the Pride March had to be cancelled, are in contravention of these universal rights and

of the established precedent in Tbilisi. “It is thus in this spirit of support that we address you, Minister, in order to ask not only that the Pride is, in line with the universal right of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, effectively allowed, but also that all the preparations be taken so as to ensure the effective enjoyment of the manifestants’ right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, all the while availing themselves of authorities’ protection," reads the letter. Irakli Kobakhidze, the head of the ruling Georgian Dream party, said this week that he believes that the holding of Tbilisi Pride events should be canceled. Kobakhidze told TV Pirveli that based on his personal view, the organizers should cancel the scheduled events “considering the full context and the current situation.” “I have my opinion on this issue, and I think that, given the full context, these people should cancel this event. It would be the responsible decision,” he stated, adding that this wasn’t aimed at pleasing the Church, because “the Church does not need his support.” Earlier, right-wing businessman Levan Vasadze called on the country’s political leadership to “stop playing games and make a clear choice, or support public morals and traditions and abolish this announced pride.” Organizers of Tbilisi Pride responded to the criticism from politicians, public figures and the Patriarchate regarding the upcoming Pride Week, reaffirming that their demonstration and other scheduled events will be absolutely peaceful. “We won’t arrange any provocation; our Pride Week will be absolutely peaceful, although provocation and aggression is expected from radical right-wing groups. Sadly, as yet, we haven’t received any security guarantees from the Ministry of Internal Affairs,” say the organizers. On Wednesday, the Pride organizers met with the representatives of the MIA. However, the Minister himself didn’t attend the meeting. Following the meeting, the organizers said the MIA had asked them to cancel the events. The organizers refuse to do so. The Pride organizers also responded to a recent letter published by the Patriarchate, saying that it promotes hate and violence. The Patriarchate stated in the letter that embassies and MEPs shouldn’t publicly encourage and support the holding

of Pride events in Tbilisi. Based on the same document, the Patriarchate calls on the government “not to promote destabilization.” Pride organizers say that the Patriarchate not only verbally supports the violent right-wing groups, but also participates in their mobilization. “The only institution that causes destabilization in this country is the Patriarchate. They offer false allegations, suggesting we want to provoke confrontation and carry out propaganda. We just want to use our constitutional right to freedom of expression, and do so peacefully,” Giorgi Tabagari from Equality Movement told Formula. “The Patriarchate’s statement clearly shows what kind of values they rely on nowadays and how far they are from Christian values,” said Tamaz Sozashvili, representative of Tbilisi Pride. On July 1, Georgian MPs Khatuna Samnidze and Ana Tsitlidze, together with the organizers of the Tbilisi Pride, held a briefing in Parliament and once again asked the Minister of Internal Affairs to come to the legislature to answer questions about the security guarantees for Pride Week. “Unfortunately, we still do not have an answer. Regulations have been violated, a committee has not been appointed, the Minister, who has an obligation to answer all questions, tells us nothing. I call on the Chairman of the Human Rights Committee to appoint a committee and we ask the Minister to come to Parliament and give an answer to the deputies and the organizers of the Pride Week,” Samnidze said. Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili spoke out mid-week in support of Tbilisi Pride events. "All forms of violence, threats, pressure and hate speech are unacceptable to me! It is unacceptable because it is a violation of the con-

stitutional rights of the people. It is unacceptable for me as a guarantor and protector of the Constitution," she said. She highlighted that everyone has the right to exercise freedom of speech. “Everyone has the right to exercise freedom of speech. This is our ancient tolerance, which is part of our identity. Our country was built on this and will develop upon it tomorrow too. That is why I also believe that everyone has the right to demonstrate. The participants of Tbilisi Pride have the right to express their opinion and exercise this right, which is a constitutional right of all, in accordance with the norms established by the Constitution and the law. This is important for our country and our unity!", said the President. “Protect the right to freedom of assembly at 2021 Pride Week in Tbilisi,” reads the joint statement of the United Nations system in Georgia, the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia, the Embassies to Georgia of Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States, and the Head of the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia. In their statement, the embassies reiterate their prior call on the Georgian state, political, civic and religious leaders to fight all forms of discrimination and prejudice, and to take all possible measures to prevent violence. “In support of equality and human rights for everyone in Georgia, we express our solidarity with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) community and urge the Georgian authorities to secure the right to peaceful assembly for all people in Georgia without exception, and to enable these events to take place without

participants having to fear becoming victims of hatred and violence. "The Constitution of Georgia guarantees everyone’s right to assemble publicly and to the freedom of expression. This includes the right of LGBTIQ+ people to organize manifestations, public events, and their right to speak publicly about matters of their interest or concern. Georgia’s landmark Law on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination of 2014 rests on the principle of equality as enshrined in the Constitution and prohibits all forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. "All States have a duty to facilitate and protect the exercise of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly. It includes a duty to facilitate assemblies at the organizers’ preferred location and to protect assembly organizers and participants from those who may seek to undermine their rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights affirm that no human right may be invoked to destroy another human right. "The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified social and economic dividing lines, and deepened marginalization and invisibility of many people in Georgia. Exercising the rights to freedom of assembly and of expression are essential in empowering people to overcome their exclusion from political, economic and social life. Public assemblies are at the heart of a functioning democracy. We reiterate our prior call on the Georgian state, political, civic and religious leaders to fight all forms of discrimination and prejudice, to take all possible measures to prevent violence and to instead embrace a respectful and compassionate public discourse. "We stand together for the right of everyone to live free and equal,” reads the statement. Pride parades are outdoor events celebrating lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, non-binary and queer social and self-acceptance, achievements, legal rights, and pride. The events also at times serve as demonstrations for legal rights such as same-sex marriage. In Georgia, such events are often surrounded by tension and controversy, as a conservative part of society and right-wing political parties believe that this is against the traditions and moral values of the Georgian people.

NEWS

GEORGIA TODAY JULY 2 - 8, 2021

Corona Updates: Doctors Warn about Spread of Delta Strain in Georgia & Worldwide BY ANA DUMBADZE

ollowing the lifting of several restrictions, including wearing face masks in open spaces, coronavirus cases started to increase in Georgia, with the country reporting no less than 1000 new cases and up to 20 deaths daily throughout the past week. Currently, the daily test-positivity rate in the country stands at 3.53%, while it was 2.59% in the past 14 days. Further, just like worldwide, there are serious concerns regarding the spread of the Delta (Indian) strain in the country, which is also gradually replacing the so-called British strain in European countries. Georgia’s Deputy Minister of Health, Tamar Gabunia, said this week that the increased rate of coronavirus spread and the increased death toll might be linked to the spread of the Indian strain. On June 29, Amiran Gamkrelidze, Head of the National Center for Disease Control, said seven more cases of the coronavirus Delta strain had been confirmed in Georgia. “The number of cases has increased, and yesterday seven cases of Delta were confirmed. As various forecasts indicate, both by international institutions and our modeling, we think that the circulation of the Delta strain in the country can vary from 10 to 20%,” he added. The NCDC head also noted that more than 400 tourists arriving in Georgia had tested positive for coronavirus over the past month. Some of them were diagnosed with the virus while in the country; however, Gamkrelidze did not specify which strains

of the virus these tourists were infected with.

THE VACCINES Against the background of this situation, the vaccination process in Georgia is moving slower than many would like, and, to date, just under 262,000 people have received a vaccine, while only around 100,000 are fully vaccinated. Yet, the country is preparing for mass immunization. Georgia is expected to have more than a million vaccines in the country by the end of July, in particular, the import of Sinopharm, Sinovac, Pfizer and AstraZeneka is being discussed.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS The ‘new phase’ of the pandemic is noticeable around the world. Recently, it was announced that Hong Kong is to ban all flights from the UK to curb the spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19. The ban comes into effect on July 1 and affects all incoming passenger flights from Britain. The ban also means that people who recently spent more than two hours in Britain will not be allowed to board flights to Hong Kong from any airport, the BBC reported this week. Despite high vaccination rates, the UK is currently seeing Europe's highest number of daily new cases by far. Most of the new infections are linked to the Delta variant, first detected in India. Hong Kong, however, confirmed its first local Delta variant only last week, ending a 16-day streak of zero local cases. The 1 July flight ban is the second time Hong Kong has stopped arrivals from Britain after a ban from December 2020 until May of this year. Outbreaks have also emerged in Aus-

tralia in this 'new phase' of pandemic. Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison this week met national leaders for emergency talks on how to tackle a spike in COVID-19 infections, following an outbreak in Sydney linked to the highly contagious Delta variant which grew to 128 cases. Cases have also been recorded in the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia. The situation remains most concerning in Sydney, where some five million residents are subject to a stay-at-home order. Many businesses and venues have been ordered shut. The more transmissible Delta variant has spread to almost every state in the US, fueling health experts' concerns about COVID-19 spikes, CNN reported. The variant is expected to become the dominant coronavirus strain in the US, and with half the US still not fully vaccinated, doctors say it could cause a resurgence of COVID-19 in the autumn, just as children too young to get vaccinated go back to school. Canadians have also been advised “not

to take their masks off yet,” as they should be more cautious with the Delta variant spread, experts say. Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, said that Canada has to watch for the transmission of COVID19 variants "very carefully," including for considerations around masking guidance. She added that Canada can prevent a fourth wave of the pandemic, even with the more transmissible Delta variant, if vaccine coverage increases. She highlighted the 80% coverage in the younger adult population.

VACCINATION ADVICE In a virtual press conference from the World Health Organization (WHO) last Friday, Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products, Dr. Mariangela Simao, highlighted the importance of people receiving a full vaccine course, in addition to masking and other public health protection measures, even those individuals who are fully vaccinated.

"Vaccine alone won’t stop the community transmission. People need to continue to use masks consistently, be in ventilated spaces, observe hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, physical distance, and avoid crowding," the WHO official stated. The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine has been shown to be 88% effective against symptomatic infections caused by the Delta variant, but only two weeks after the second dose. Those who received only one dose have significantly less protection. A mix-and-match approach to COVID19 vaccines, using different brands for first and second doses, appears to give good protection against the pandemic virus, a UK study has found. The Com-Cov trial looked at the efficacy of either two doses of Pfizer, two of AstraZeneca, or one of them followed by the other. All combinations worked well, priming the immune system. This knowledge could offer flexibility for vaccine rollout, say experts. The trial results also hint that people who have already received two doses of AstraZeneca vaccine could have a stronger immune response if they were given a different jab as a booster if recommended in the autumn. Some countries are already using mixed doses. Spain and Germany are offering the Pfizer or Moderna mRNA vaccines as a second dose to younger people who have already received a first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, following concerns about rare but serious blood clots, rather than about efficacy. Two doses are important to give the fullest protection and teach the body to make antibodies and T cells to block and kill COVID-19.

POLITICS

GEORGIA TODAY JULY 2 - 8, 2021

Committee Rapporteurs to Enhance Legislative and Oversight Role of Georgian Parliament

s Georgia moved to a parliamentary system of governance in 2018, Parliament has been implementing institutional reforms to put this choice into practice. The new Rules of Procedure adopted the same year focused on improving the law-making process and strengthening oversight over government activities. One part of this transformation is appointing Members of Parliament (MPs) as committee rapporteurs on various political, social and economic issues. Committee rapporteurs inform the law-making process, present new legislative initiatives, and identify issues of concern based on information received from state institutions, civil society, public petitions and citizens. They help committees to be more efficient, ensuring that committee members actively work on various governance areas. To assist the Georgian Parliament to introduce this important legislative and oversight mechanism, the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) commissioned a comparative review of the best European practices based on the examples of sixteen European parliaments, including the European Parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. The study was carried out by the Honorable Sarmite D. Bulte, a lawyer, an international consultant, and a former MP of the Canada House of Commons.

The Georgian Parliament building in Tbilisi. Photo by Leli Blagonravova/UNDP

It highlights different approaches to the role of committee rapporteurs and offers recommendations on how to empower MPs and integrate their input in the work of parliamentary committees. Key findings of the study were discussed

today, at a workshop attended by Georgian MPs, Parliament staff and representatives of civil society and international organizations. The workshop will be followed by consultations for women MPs from the ruling and opposition par-

ties to guide them through their new responsibilities as committee rapporteurs. “It is crucial to make full use of the mechanisms provided to the Parliament by the new Rules of Procedures,” said

Parliamentary Chairperson Kakha Kuchava. “Rapporteurs will make Members of Parliament and parliamentary committees stronger, and the law-making process more informed and focused.” “The European Union is a longstanding supporter of Georgia's path towards a fully-fledged parliamentary democracy,” said Evija Kotan, Deputy Head of Political Section at the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia. “We will continue assisting the Parliament to enhance its role in all key areas of governance. We especially focus on strengthening parliamentary oversight and increasing citizen engagement in decision-making." “Parliamentary democracy grants greater power to the Parliament but also imposes greater responsibility,” noted Gigi Bregadze, UNDP Democratic Governance Team Leader. “We support parliamentary committees and individual MPs to engage more actively on specific issues to improve law-making, inform the oversight process and make them more accountable to the voters.” Assistance to parliamentary reforms is part of a broader EU and UNDP support to parliamentary democracy in Georgia. A $1.8 million (up to EUR1.7 million) initiative assists the Parliament of Georgia and the Supreme Council of the Ajara Autonomous Republic to enhance their legislative and oversight roles, increase openness and transparency, and provide citizens with more opportunities to engage in decision-making.

Tripwires and the Power of Deterrence Image by Vano Shlamov/ AFP via Getty Images

ANALYSIS BY MICHAEL GODWIN

eorgia’s storied history of cooperation with NATO is a common point of national pride. In addition to the substantial deployments of their soldiers on the NATO mission in Afghanistan and service in Central Africa, annual training exercises continually expand the Georgian Defense Force’s capabilities. However, Georgian sovereignty is still threatened from an emboldened Russian threat. The presence of a “tripwire” NATO force in the country has been touted to be a potential solution and guarantee of sovereignty. However, tripwire forces have to be correctly assembled to be effective in this regard. While certainly not a new military and diplomatic idea, they have been used to great effect, and also resulted in disaster. Even in the 20th century, they have failed to catastrophic effect due to a lack of being any substantial deterrent. Possibly the most famous example of this is the British expedition into Belgium as a deterrent to German aggression. As the British Expeditionary Force discovered, the “kind words” guarantee of security must be complemented with the actual

ability to carry this out. The components of a tripwire force are as such those two parts, deeds and words, but founded in the credibility of the nation providing the tripwire force. The clear willingness to issue the threat of retaliation, as well as the physical ability to carry out a successive defense, are key. Many of the powers involved in the potential of a tripwire force have the credibility, but skepticism remains on whether they have the capability. Ingrained in the very purpose of a tripwire force is the idea that upon the beginning of invasion, the deaths of the tripwire force will require further action and military intervention. Thus, while brutal as this may be, it has become an accepted form of deterrence. Part of this, however, is that the tripwire force has to comprise a large enough contingent to actually trigger a response. Small units stationed in key terrain and avenues of attack clearly stand no chance in the event of a large-scale invasion. Should the attacker launch a fait accompli invasion, the speed with which this is accomplished may influence the tripwire force nation to simply accept the territory loss. In lieu of a large-scale war, the nations will settle and attempt to engage in diplomacy. In addition, the cultural values of the nations involved in the defense may dic-

tate that the premise of revenge is not worth starting a war over. Nations such as the United States and some Eastern countries, which hold pride and honor in generally high regard, would be far more willing to enter a protracted armed conflict. However, some European nations may not be willing as a people (or financially able) to engage in such a broad conflict. NATO, being composed of both entities, needs to ensure that those involved in an adequate tripwire force are committed to the mission. A 20th century example of both a successful and failed implementation of a tripwire force took place in the wake of the Second World War on the Korean peninsula. In this instance, the difference in American force size and composition was imperative in the attack plans of the North Korean military. The North’s leader, Kim Il-Sung, had his vision of the unification of Korea as his key priority. Imperative to accomplishing this goal was Soviet assistance, as it would be required for the military campaign in the south. In conversation with the Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, Kim managed to elicit his interest. Stalin viewed it as an opportunity to further Soviet communism in the East, and establish dominance over the expanding Chinese. However, in the early strategic discussions, Stalin raised the issue of the

American military presence. With American forces numbering around 20,000 in 1949, along with the South Korean military comprising an additional 60,000, Stalin declined, the expressed reason being that the involvement of this sizable a tripwire force would make any invasion very unpalatable to Stalin’s need for a fait accompli victory. The next year, with the drawdown of American forces in the region, Kim again made his request to the Soviets. With North Korean intelligence suggesting American numbers to be around only a few hundred to a thousand, Kim was this time able to secure Stalin’s support. The ensuing war would pull in American and United Nations forces against a North Korean, Soviet, and later Chinese military. In the end, with millions of civilians and soldiers killed or wounded, little was accomplished besides a heavily militarized border still manned today. While it may be a politically uncomfortable solution to station such a large number of troops in a foreign country, it’s not something new. The United States and other forces have located bases around the world, in close cooperation with their host nation. While not all of these fall into the tripwire category, they provide the region with some measurable element of security. Germany and Poland are the more recent examples of a symbiotic relationship between two friendly nations. Particularly, in Poland

and the forces deployed on training missions in the Baltics in a NATO Reaction Force. Much has been written about the prospect of a NATO installation or semipermanent partner force being kept in Georgia. However, the majority of the purpose surrounding this is for bilateral training and partnership. A force meant for these reasons would not be able to conduct itself in an invasion as would a purpose-built tripwire force. The implementation of a proper tripwire force would take considerable time to organize, develop, and ultimately install. Considering the numbers involved, preparing just a battalion (about 500-700 soldiers) or even brigade (1000-1500 soldiers) is not something generally done in short order. If Georgia is interested in an insurance policy for its sovereignty, then a NATO tripwire force would be a complex but rewarding solution, particularly for the long-term life of the nation. Russia generally only respects strength, and deterrence against another invasion or land grab would have to come in this form. Admittedly, the garrison of a sizable foreign force would come with real estate issues, an adjustment phase for the population, and some complex political maneuvering internally. However, to gamble with independence is always an unsavory and even dangerous way to live as a free nation.

Photo by Vano Shlamov/AFP via Getty Images

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BUSINESS

GEORGIA TODAY JULY 2 - 8, 2021

Carrefour and MasterCard Partner to Bring Customers a Summer Surprise! A surprise awaits two lucky customers in every Carrefour branch in Georgia when they shop with their MyClub and pay with their MasterCard.

arrefour, owned and operated by Majid Al Futtaim in Georgia, has been offering various pleasant surprises and gifts to its loyal customers over the past couple of years. As part of Carrefour’s commitment to deliver exceptional value for all its customers through every experience, this summer it is back with another round of exciting summer surprises through a new collaboration with MasterCard. Every day during the campaign customers will get the opportunity to win a two-night staycation at the luxurious Radisson Blue Hotel Batumi or Radisson Collection Tsinandali. Last summer has undoubtedly made multiple people feel nostalgic about travelling and creating beautiful memories with friends and family. This year, as restrictions across various countries ease and with vaccination rates increasing, countries are slowly on their way to offer more travel opportunities. The uncertainty of the unknown when travelling may still linger for some and that is why Carrefour and Mastercard’s

summer surprise allows you to experience travel within Georgia without travelling abroad. Last year, Carrefour organised a similar raffle for its loyal customers giving customers the chance to win a lucky voucher that allowed them to spend two nights at either the Sheraton Batumi or Radisson Collection Tsinandali. This year, anyone who wants to seize the opportunity and escape for two days needs to pay close attention throughout July 1 until July 24. These surprises stretch across various Carrefour branches in Tbilisi, Batumi, Rustavi, Gori, Telavi, Zugdidi, and Poti. Each branch will offer three different vouchers everyday through their lucky raffle draw. Entering the raffle is quite simple: the first step requires customers to show their unique MyClub barcode either by showing their card or the application on their phone in any Carrefour store. Afterwards it is crucial to pay with their MasterCard. Finally, they need to check the receipt, where they may find out the chance to win a trip. If anyone wants to become a member

of MyClub and start using Carrefour’s loyalty program, the process is quite easy and does not take a long time. The first step is to register via the Carrefour Georgia application available in the Play Store

and App Store. Once registered, you can begin to use your unique MyClub barcode at the cash register whenever you purchase anything. So, if you haven’t already signed up to

become a MyClub member, then what are you waiting for? You might be the lucky winner, who gets the chance to experience an unforgettable surprise by Carrefour and MasterCard.

LG Enhance Commitment to Georgian Market with Focus on Local Partnerships and Investment

elegates from national leadership and representatives from LG and Ameritech united with dealers and the media to reinforce the message of ‘Together Strong’ Tbilisi, Georgia on June 28. LG Electronics Gulf FZE (LG) held its Regional Partner Convention event in partnership with its local distributor in Georgia, Ameritech LLC, at the Sheraton Grand Tbilisi Metechi Palace Hotel. Under the theme of ‘Together Strong’, the convention united LG’s regional leadership and product experts with representatives from Ameritech, country officials, dealers and media representatives from the different regions of Georgia. Together, they explored LG’s latest offerings in the local marketplace and its strategic approach. “Georgia has always been a strategic market for LG, owing to clear enthusiasm from local consumers for the advanced technology we provide,” said Mr. Hongju Jeon, President, LG Electronics Gulf FZE. “Even as a global company, we make it our priority to work alongside local partners in each country we operate, and we see this as critical to our success in Georgia. Via this method, not only are we able to achieve greater market penetration, but more importantly, we can also deliver on our promise of bringing meaningful innovation into people’s homes across the country at rapid pace and scale.” As part of its focus on the Georgian

showrooms and various channels. “LG has a longstanding history of success in Georgia, and our collaboration has been instrumental to achieving this,” said Mr. Aram Simonyan, CEO at Ameritech LLC. “We are proud to be strengthening our relations even further, through the hosting of this convention. As we navigate a new world, consumers are looking for greater value and purpose from the technology they invest in. LG delivers on this front and illustrates genuine care, which is why we are a strong advocate and can see great potential for dealers across Georgia who choose to work with and showcase the company’s innovations.” As two nations sharing strong ties and seeking to further build relations, the event also featured entertainment from a group of Georgian students who performed traditional cultural dances and sang to music native to Korea. As a way of giving back to its local partners and thanking them for their support, the convention concluded with an a-la-furshet dinner, live band performance and photo-shoot to capture memorable moments. market, LG has restructured and adapted its business model, in accordance with understanding local market demands and requirements. During the Regional Partner Convention, LG introduced attendees to its existing and new 2021 product line-up through a host of presentations and demonstrations. Technology on show included the company’s latest range of televisions, audio solu-

tions, washing machines, refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves and more – each built with ease-of-use, convenience and durability in mind. LG places high importance on not only the point-of-sale, but also in ensuring that its products stand the test of time. At the event, LG highlighted its Service Center operations, which cover all regions of Georgia, providing access to fast and

high quality after sales services for customers in line with a mission to ‘Care and Delight’. As LG’s distributor in Georgia, Ameritech used the convention platform to present its market penetration plan, including a package of benefits designed to cater to and incentivize regional partners (dealers) to prioritize and focus on the sales of LG products through their

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GEORGIA TODAY JULY 2 - 8, 2021

THE ISET ECONOMIST A BLOG ABOUT ECONOMICS AND THE SOUTH CAUCAUS

www.iset-pi.ge/blog

The ISET Policy Institute (ISET-PI, www.iset-pi.ge) is an independent think-tank associated with the International School of Economics at TSU (ISET). Our blog carries economic analysis of current events and policies in Georgia and the South Caucasus region ranging from agriculture, to economic growth, energy, labor markets and the nexus of economics, culture and religion. Thought-provoking and fun to read, our blog posts are written by international faculty teaching at ISET and recent graduates representing the new generation of Georgian, Azerbaijani and Armenian economists.

Quitting or Going Underground? How Georgians Responded to Increased Tobacco Regulations

BY GIORGI MZHAVANADZE

s promised in our previous blog, Tobacco Control in Georgia, here I continue to explore topics connected to the local economic and health impacts of smoking, and the corresponding policy responses from the authorities. This article presents the results of a recent omnibus survey conducted by the CRRC in April 2021. Alongside general population characteristics, questions on smoking behavior, cessation methods, and public opinion on the health effects of different tobacco products were included in the study. The omnibus survey was conducted via phone interviews from the adult population of Georgia, with a sample size of 1,236 individuals. Its design allows the results to be analyzed from both gender and regional perspectives (the capital, other urban and rural areas). To the best of our knowledge, it is the first survey conducted in Georgia since WHO’s STEPS in 2016 to cover tobacco-related topics.

THE PREVALENCE OF SMOKING Table 1 presents information on smoking prevalence, according to which 27.1% of the adult population in Georgia smoke “regular” tobacco products (daily or more rarely), which is by an impressive 5.9 percentage points (or by 12.7%) less than in 2016. This decline largely comes from men smoking less (43.3% in 2021 versus 57% in 2016), while, at present, a slightly higher share of women smoke compared to 2016. From a regional perspective, smoking is most prevalent in Tbilisi, where nearly a third of the population are smokers. These results emphasize the effectiveness of the changes implemented in tobacco control legislation and taxation in recent years. However, the magnitude of the decline in smoking consumption in Georgia measured by the omnibus survey data and our previous estimates of the cigarette market (where we found about a 50% decrease in the number of cigarettes sold in 2016-2019) significantly differs. A few possible explanations for this divergence are that a) smoking intensity has decreased in recent years – smokers consume fewer cigarettes per

Table 1. Do you smoke tobacco, cigarettes, wrapping tobacco, pipes, cigars, etc.?

Table 2. Do you smoke electronic cigarettes?

Table 3. Do you smoke heated tobacco products?

day; and b) the survey data includes both legal and illegal markets, whereas our estimates are based on Geostat’s trade data and the Ministry of Finance’s excise stamps, which only cover the legal sale and purchase of cigarettes. The survey also collected information on tobacco consumption from harm reduction products (HRPs). The popularity of which is still low in Georgia, as only 3.5% and 3.3% of the adult population smoke e-cigarettes or heated tobacco products, respectively (see Tables 2 and 3). This is hardly surprising, as the government’s anti-smoking policy does not differentiate these products from traditional cigarettes. In addition, the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health of Georgia (NCDC) spreads information about the negative health effects of HRPs, where their increasing prevalence among youth has become a great concern. According to the NCDC, “numerous studies have suggested that the use of e-cigarettes to give up smoking is a misconception. On the contrary, it promotes the consumption of tobacco or in many cases combined consumption.” However, as an increasing number of countries are coming to recognize that enabling access to safer tobacco products leads to effective harm reduction and acts as a cessation measure, Georgia may consider regulating tobacco HRPs differently from combustible cigarettes. One recent decision from the US Food and Drug Association to authorize the marketing of IQOS as a modified risk tobacco product could potentially foster this process. Furthermore, heated tobacco products were not officially sold in Georgia until July 2020. Although the product (IQOS) is now available in most Georgian supermarkets (especially in Tbilisi), priced comparably to premium brand cigarettes, it could quickly gain popularity among “conventional” Georgian smokers. Nevertheless, the authorities should remain cautious, as the tobacco industry, in light of growing regulations and a rapidly shrinking cigarette market, is actively developing and lobbying the

new tobacco product market to secure their long-term future.

PUBLIC OPINION ON HRPS Interestingly, public opinion on the adverse health effects of cigarettes versus e-cigarettes is somewhat divided: 20.7% of respondents think that regular cigarettes are more harmful than e-cigarettes, while 16.8% maintain the opposite view; the vast majority of respondents believe that they are equally harmful, while the remainder either refused to answer or did not know the answer. Public opinion from a regional and gender perspective follows this general pattern, with one slight deviation: only 11.4% of women think that smoking e-cigarettes is more harmful.

CESSATION PROGRAMS IN GEORGIA According to WHO, comprehensive cessation services with full or partial coverage, including counseling, medication, and toll-free telephone quitlines can more than double a tobacco user’s chance of successfully quitting. Therefore, to achieve the full benefits of tobacco control efforts, offering a full range of cessation services is important. Georgia adopted its national tobacco cessation strategy and clinical guidelines in 2013. However, as of 2021, smokingcessation services are available only in certain privately-owned primary healthcare facilities, the costs of which are only partially covered by universal healthcare insurance. Although Varenicline can be legally purchased from a pharmacy without a prescription, the cost of the medication is not covered by universal healthcare insurance. Nevertheless, to improve access to cessation services, treatments for tobacco use have been exempt from VAT and import duties since January 2020. Georgia moreover provides a toll-free smoking quitline services for smokers. Following the enactment of the new Tobacco Control Law in May 2018, the demand for smoking cessation consultations and information on the new regulations has increased. A total of 3,027 people (2,673 men and 354 women) called the tobacco hotline between May-Decem-

ber 2018, while the number of calls in the first four months of 2018 was only 193. Of these, around 60% of callers were consulted on smoking cessation, 10% were informed of the new regulations, and 30% people were referred to various medical facilities. Despite the relative increase in demand for the hotline, its effectiveness remains extremely low, with only an approximate 0.7% of smokers using the service in 2019. As an additional measure, in 2017 the NCDC launched a Georgian version of a mobile application that helps its users give up smoking. The application was initially developed by the Tobacco Control Department of the International Cancer Institute in the United States. The interactive app allows for the creation of an individual’s smoking history, sends encouraging individualized advice, and provides information on the benefits and guidelines for stopping smoking, amongst other things. The number of downloads currently suggests that more than 10,000 users have tried to quit smoking with the help of this app, which accounts for only 1.1% of current smokers. The results of the omnibus survey also reveal that the availability of cessation services and their demand is extremely low in Georgia. The respondents were asked if they had tried to quit smoking within the last year and which method was used. Nearly half the participants had not tried to give up, and 13.4% refused to answer the question. Nicotine replacement therapy, other medications, and consultation in healthcare facilities were used only by 2.2% of respondents, while 3.3% switched to e-cigarettes or heated tobacco and the vast majority (32.7%) tried to quit smoking without any additional methods, solely from self-control. These results suggest that Georgia must recognize the unmet need for cessation support programs and act immediately under a comprehensive tobacco control strategy. Cost-effective tobacco cessation interventions, those linked with the use of new technologies, should be a priority in order to improve access for large and hard-to-reach populations, and to complement legislative and taxation measures.

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GEORGIA TODAY JULY 2 - 8, 2021

Laboratory & Research Center MedDiagnostics: Improving Diagnostic Accuracy & Healthcare Quality BY ANA DUMBADZE

ecently, due to the incredible pressure on and challenges in the healthcare sector worldwide, we’ve once again seen the vital importance of having well-arranged medical facilities and laboratories, which naturally contribute to having a sustainable healthcare system as a whole. The global pandemic made it all even more crucial. At the same time, safe traveling became a number one priority for both travelers and the tourism industry in general. Knowing for sure that you aren’t infected and, moreover, that you don’t pose a risk to other people’s health, based on reliable analysis results, makes our trips abroad so much more enjoyable. Because of the emergency situation in the healthcare field, a distinguished medical local facility, the genetic laboratory and research center Med-Diagnostics, started operating even more actively to offer citizens who plan to travel abroad as fast and convenient a service as possible. Reliable PCR tests conducted at the laboratory are valid in any country, and ensure the client’s receipt of an international COVID passport timely and easily. Due to the pandemic, laboratory MedDiagnostics is operating in an emergency regime, and is open 24/7. 500,000 tests have been performed by Med-Diagnosis throughout this past year. It is one of the most powerful and larg-

est laboratories on the local market, which has services and branches Georgia-wide and plans to further expand throughout the region.

COVID-19 TEST WITHOUT LEAVING HOME The laboratory is actively involved in the fight against the virus and offers Covid-19 diagnostic laboratory services with ultra-modern and high-powered devices run by a team of professionals. Med-Diagnostics offers 24-hour laboratory on call service for the maximum

safety and comfort of citizens. Med-Diagnostics allows them to have their sample collected at the laboratory or by ordering a lab service at their home or office. The tests are done with fully automated DNA and RNA diagnostic robotic systems, which ensures high accuracy of the method and reliability of the analysis result (98-98.5%). The following laboratory services are available: • COVID 19 PCR test • COVID 19 Rapid Antibody Test

• COVID 19 Rapid Antigen Test • Detection of SARS-Cov-2 (COVID 19) antibodies in the blood with ELISA method. The Med Diagnostics’ PCR test Result – COVID Passport: • Is valid in any country around the world; • Is issued in three languages - Georgian, English, Russian; • Takes just 6-8 hours to get; • Can be delivered via SMS, email, or Printed Certificate (document); • Note, a 72-hour time range is reserved - the exact time of the analysis is indicated. Each document is assigned an internationally recognized unique QR code, through which, after scanning for the authenticity of the Covid passport, it can be verified. Further, Med-Diagnostic offers a huge variety of molecular genetic tests in the following fields: Oncohematology, Clinical oncology, Reproductive medicine, Gynecology, Infectious Disease, Pharmacogenomics, and Preventive medicine, Pediatrics, Neonatology, and Endocrinology. For Georgia, continuous work on improvement of its healthcare system is one of the key priorities. Otherwise, fighting against the coronavirus disease and other serious challenges in the field will become impossible. To achieve this important goal, focus must be put on increasing the number of medical facilities and laboratories equipped with ultra-modern technologies and staffed with experienced professionals. The genetic laboratory and research center Med-Diagnostics, established in

2020 in Tbilisi, is definitely one such leading facility operating locally, constantly caring for the health and safety of citizens. The laboratory team is packed with successful Georgian physicians, molecular biologists, biotechnologists, and scientists who work in the US and Europe and are actively involved in the interpretation of each genetic test. The aim of the highly qualified staff is to establish internationally acknowledged molecular and genetic methods to improve diagnostic accuracy and healthcare quality. Med-Diagnostics currently employs up to 60 professional epidemiologists, with a wide diversity of education and working experience in Europe and the US. Its main priority is high-quality service. The branches of the laboratory serving citizens in various locations, in particular: • Tbilisi, #3 L. Mikeladze Street • Batumi, #3 Gorgiladze Street • Kutaisi, #12B Abashidze Street • Gori, #13 Stalin Street • Marneuli, #26 26 Maisi Street. Those in need of its services can contact Med-Diagnostics through Tel: +(995) 32 2 800 200; or via email: info@md.ge

New Offer from Batumi View Apartments BY MARIAM MTIVLISHVILI

atumi View Apartments has a new offer for tourists. The company has introduced a novelty in the Georgian market, meaning that any tourist who buys a residential complex in Batumi View Apartments will be able to enjoy a free info-tour of their newly investedin country. To find out more, GEORGIA TODAY spoke to the head of sales and marketing department, Irma Kamadadze. “Buying apartment in Batumi View is really a profitable investment,” Kamadadze tells us. “First, location and the complex concept are what makes it so attractive. The apartment rental service gives you the opportunity to return the apartment cost in just six years. “Batumi View Apartments is a multifunctional residential complex, the construction of which is taking place 20 meters from the sea shore, on the new Batumi Boulevard. Buying real estate is a serious step, especially when it comes to buying an apartment abroad. One of the most important tasks our company takes on is to making the process of choosing and buying real estate as easy as possible for our clients. And now we’re offering info-tours throughout Georgia to those potential clients who want to buy real estate with us. During the tour, along with our complex, customers will have the opportunity to discover the culture and sights of Georgia.

WHERE WILL YOU TAKE THEM? It depends on what they themselves

want. We will be their guide anywhere in Georgia. The info-tour includes: assistance choosing air tickets, hotel room reservation, transfer, an entertainment program, and excursions. The standard info-tour will last five days. Based on our many years’ experience, we believe that this is enough for choosing a specific offer and enjoying a tour.

TELL US ABOUT THE PAYMENT SYSTEM AND APARTMENTS. 30% down payment, 0% installment over 24 months. The apartments start at 32m2. Each apartment has large floor to ceiling windows of minimalist design, which flood the apartment with light throughout the day, creating the feeling that nature is a

part of your living space.

WHAT DOES YOUR PROJECT INCLUDE? Batumi View Apartments will have a hotel and residential buildings. The residential complex will be equipped with an outdoor pool, tennis courts, underground and above-ground parking, food facilities, and panoramic restaurants on the roof.

ARE YOU GOING TO OFFER MORE TO YOUR CUSTOMERS IN THE FUTURE? Of course, but this already depends on the epidemiological situation in the country. As it stands, we’re offering these info-tours until the end of the summer season.

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GEORGIA TODAY JULY 2 - 8, 2021

Mtatsminda Makeover – Reviving Tbilisi’s Iconic Ridge for Generations to Come

Karibche nursery in Sartichala

BY THE INVESTOR.GE TEAM

he pine forests of Tbilisi’s iconic Mtatsminda Ridge are turning brown. The culprits include fungi, pests, and climate change, but work is underway to revitalize the urban forest, led by the Development and Environment Foundation, under an agreement with Tbilisi City Hall and funded by the Cartu Foundation. This four-year project will enhance the forest’s resilience, reduce natural hazards, and improve recreational infrastructure. In the coming years, between 500,000800,000 trees of nearly 40 different species will be planted on Mtatsminda Ridge, including diverse understory plantings to enhance the forest floor.

A MOUNTAIN WITH A MULTI-LAYERED HISTORY Mtatsminda’s contemporary forests are the result of mid-20th century climate amelioration projects. Few trees are adapted to the mountain’s dry, exposed slopes and limited soil cover, so foresters used dynamite to create “soil pockets” to plant pine trees. Each generation in the modern era has left a mark on the mountain. In this generation, the forest will be diverse and climate-adapted. “In the past, there were oak trees in the immediate vicinity of the city”, the Development and Environment Foundation’s Executive Director Gocha Koberidze told Investor.ge, “but multiple razings of the city–a step taken by many an enemy because Tbilisi forests provided shelter to guerrilla fighters–and

deforestation for timber have hampered green growth.” As Tbilisi grew in the 20th century, Soviet planners moved to ‘ameliorate’ Tbilisi’s surroundings by setting aside several large-scale landscapes such as Lisi Lake, Tbilisi Sea, and Mtatsminda mountain to provide ecosystem services. They prescribed forest plantations to reduce wind speed and improve air quality, limit summer temperatures, and reduce landslide hazards; they set aside swathes of land for the flow of fresh air and rainwater infiltration zones to prevent catastrophic flooding. Starting In the 1920s-30s, foresters planted pine trees, selected for their ability to grow quickly in poor soil conditions, throughout the city and its periphery. Planting later accelerated throughout the 1950s-60s, and it is these plantations that are dying from infestations of pests and fungi. In addition to the pine forests, these essential landscape infrastructures are in poor condition due to lack of maintenance, investment, climate change and urban encroachment. “But there is no tragedy here”, Koberidze explains. “At the time, the decision to go ahead with pine trees was correct. They have a life expectancy of up to 120 years, but given the harsh conditions, this 60-70 year life-span we are seeing is not unexpected. Throughout the years, these trees have stimulated the growth of a humus – a solid, nutrient-rich layer of topsoil, thanks to which we will be able to plant other trees that will make the landscape more interesting and be more durable in the local environment.”

PLANNING AND BUILDING THE FOREST OF THE FUTURE Work to protect and bolster the resilience of Mtatsminda is backed by 16 million GEL (nearly 5 million USD) in funding. This large-scale investment in the forest will ensure the survival and enhancement of this vital natural resource for future generations. A resource for both humans and wildlife, Mtatsminda has great biodiversity due to its steep slopes, meadows, plateaus and wooded ravines. The Tbilisi Urban Forest project will join the work of scientists and designers together to grow a truly Georgian landscape over what will span nearly 700 hectares. Experts have gathered data for over a year, using both remote sensing and field data to generate a master plan. The team includes geographer Giorgi Gotsiridze of Geographic, biologist Irina Danelia, botanists Nikoloz Lachashvili, zoologist Niko Kerdikoshvili, environmental scientist Gia Sofadze and economist Etuna Munjishvili.The team analyzed this data to identify areas of critical concern, such as landslide-prone slopes and wildlife zones requiring protection and reduced human impact, and defined the boundaries of the project to limit further urban encroachment.

NEW TRAILS AND INFRASTRUCTURE In addition to the reforestation project, workers are rehabilitating Mtatsminda’s mult-iuse trail system. Improvements include rubbish removal from trailheads, new wayfinding and signage, overlooks and rest spots, erosion mitigation, and separate trail systems for hiking and mountain biking. A new environmental center will be built near Tsavkisi that will include interpretive exhibitions about the urban forest.

soils, so each “forest patch” is adapted to a specific ecological niche. “In Tbilisi, most public spaces are planted with a generic palette of trees and shrubs imported from abroad. Our hope is the new plantings on Mtatsminda will bring attention to the form, beauty, and function of Georgia’s endemic tree and shrub species. Ultimately, we hope this work will increase demand for the use and propagation of local species for civic and commercial projects”, said Sarah Cowles, director of Ruderal. The patches include low-growing shrubs and taller trees to provide cover for birds and wildlife and provide visual interest. Unlike the pine and cedar monoculture planted in the late 20th century, the new patches create varied conditions and experience. They include texture-rich open shrubland (the ‘Savanna Edge’ patch) to silver-canopied mountain woodland (the ‘Celtis Forest’ patch) to the immersive, colorful, bountiful forest (the ‘Fruit Grove’ patch). Each of the patches is distributed across the mountain in massive drifts. “Planting in large groups, rather than scattered fragments, increases the ecological potency and regenerative potential of each patch type,” said Christian Moore, landscape architect at Ruderal. “The large drifts will also have a significant aesthetic impact, both from within the forest and from far away, especially when the trees will bloom and the leaves change color.”

SCRIPTING FOR DIVERSITY AND ADAPTATION The scale and complexity of the urban forest project required innovation in design technology. Ruderal’s designers developed a custom planting design tool in Grasshopper, a digital modeling software, that allows designers to integrate broad-scale GIS with field-sourced data such as soil depth and composition. Dubbed ‘Okrokana’, the tool produces rapid visualizations of the patches at different scales, optimizes plant quantities, and allows designers to simulate the interaction of diverse species over time. “Our practice is engineered to address these exciting urban landscape rehabilitation projects, and we can apply the methods and technologies we applied to

Mtatsminda to afforestation projects throughout Georgia”, says Ruderal’s Cowles, noting the same model could be implemented throughout Tbilisi’s largescale open spaces like the Tbilisi Sea, Khudadovi forest, and the Lisi Plateau.

ENCOURAGING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION The Mtatsminda Urban Forest aims to exemplify a new direction of environmental imagination in Georgia. Public works of this scale are meaningful to young people, including those who moved abroad for work or education, like Natia Kapandaze of Gori, who is now a landscape architect in Austin, Texas. “I decided to study landscape architecture in the US, where a professional landscape architecture education includes the study of large-scale urban landscapes. The Mtatsminda project is a huge step forward for our community to address climate change and the quality of life in Tbilisi. We have already experienced the consequences of several ecological and environmental mistakes. I believe this project will be the turning point and become a model for future projects”, said Kapanadze. The Development and Environment Foundation’s Koberidze agrees, who hopes the project will enable thousands to ‘leave their mark’ on the mountain for centuries to come and develop a stake in the city’s greener future: “We’re keeping a list of everyone involved. We have tried to include students in forestry, biology and other faculties in the project in order for them to learn something. Right now, we’re busy digging holes [for the trees] on the south slope between Okrokana and Mtatsminda, and 90% of those involved are from Okrokana itself, and they tell us that their grandparents were involved in the creation of the first forest. It’s so gratifying to see the joy they feel that their own grandchildren will be proud of them for giving new life to the city.” Shared with the permission of Investor.ge.

THOUSANDS OF SEEDLINGS

This photo from the burial of famous Georgian writer Ilia Chavchavadze from 1907 depicts the mountain’s more usual appearance

This summer, the project is in full swing. At Kakheti’s Karibche, a tree nursery in Sartichala, director Vakho Tsulikidze and his team are propagating the thousands of seedlings required to reforest the mountain. On the slopes of Okrokana, workers are digging holes to prepare for fall planting and installing irrigation to support the seedlings through the dry summers. The planting project for the entire mountain will take at least four years. Urban forestry specialists at Ruderal, a landscape architecture and planning studio in Tbilisi, collaborated with local experts to develop species mixes to replace the monocultural plantings of the past. Mtatsminda features a wide range of exposures, moisture levels, and

At the Ruderal studio, physical models reveal the spatial and atmospheric impacts of proposed planting schemes. Here, paper trees and pins capture the different plant communities that will be used to revegetate the Narikala Ridge

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AdAPPt BLOG BY TONY HANMER

booked my taxi to where I would meet the Mestia minivan this morning via Bolt on my phone, and there was one nearby, arriving in 2 minutes at 7am, price, start and endpoints already understood. Food, especially in these Viral times? The same, right to your door. I haven’t tried ordering it from Zugdidi to Etseri (about 110 km one way), but I wouldn’t be too surprised if someone would take me on, albeit at an insane price. Not only are our phones the essential item to have, but because of this there is more and more software being made to run on them. At the same time, their hardware capabilities are constantly being improved and new ones developed too. Combinations of these offer possibilities which the makers of the single items could only dream, or perhaps not even dream. Camera, thermometer, wider-than-human perception of the electromagnetic spectrum, projector, vibration, location and motion detection, microphone, internet, and so on. We obsess over “leaked” designs of the latest iPhone and the details of its cameras and Notch. Point your camera into the night sky and it’ll tell you about everything which is up there, with hyperlinks to more detail than you could comprehend. Also the quality of the air, its temperature and humidity (some of this from the internet,

no doubt). Add an infrared camera to show temperature ranges nearby, and film or still-photograph them too. Record your thoughts on audio. Upload something to TikTok (for which the word describing who does this is a TikToker, instead of TikTokker) if you dare. Makes me feel older than rap music did when I first heard it at 18. Future… stick your phone into a cup of anything cold, and its vibrate feature will heat it up, while the phone stays safe. Immobilize your attacker with infrasound or a burst of volts, instead of just scaring them off with loud sirens. Analyze the content of what you’re eating, at the level of ingredients and food qualities, or go deeper, to the molecular or atomic levels. X-ray scan something. Laser-burn something. Scan it in 3D first, and copy it in the same 3D. Eventually, you’ll stop losing the thing or breaking its screen, because it will become part of you. Its cameras will be your own eyes and record things too. Your voice will be copied; your headphones will be bone-conduction ones inside your head. You’ll communicate with others without more than a thought about it, no matter how far away they are (although how you’ll deal with the time lag off-planet I don’t know yet). Your fingers will contain lasers; your brain a link to the Web; your mind will show your optical receptors anything, in as many dimensions as are required, and perhaps you’ll travel less as a result, locally or farther afield. This is already being done in the science fiction of today,

Photo Exhibition / Award Ceremony – Beat Plastic Pollution

GEORGIA TODAY JULY 2 - 8, 2021

so it must become the actual future soon, no? It’s been fun to speculate and extrapolate a bit. The thing which all of this machinery and software can’t duplicate, though, I insist on pointing out, is the intangible part of us. Emotions cannot just be reduced to chemicals; we humans (at least, not to mention higher animals) do have a soul, and a spirit, I hold. As advanced as AI gets, along with our capabilities to copy the thought processes of ourselves, these ephemerals won’t jump the gap if we try to transfer our consciousness elsewhere, be it silicone or wetware. I don’t know what that will make our attempts be called, but they will be dim shadows at best, reflections “through a glass darkly” (superb phrase) I believe. We might try to fool ourselves with Turing Tests of the latest AI, and will ultimately see through the difference between it and us, no matter how good neural nets get at imitating our text, audio and video content. Indispensable apps now; very good copies of reality and ourselves later. But at what cost, leaving out what? Tony Hanmer has lived in Georgia since 1999, in Svaneti since 2007, and been a weekly writer and photographer for GT since early 2011. He runs the “Svaneti Renaissance” Facebook group, now with nearly 2000 members, at www.facebook.com/ groups/SvanetiRenaissance/ He and his wife also run their own guest house in Etseri: www.facebook.com/hanmer.house.svaneti

11th Literary ForumDialogue to be Held BY KETEVAN SKHIRTLADZE

he 11th Literary forumdialogue will be held on July 6-9, Tbilisi-based Writer’s House reports. 7 publishers from France

n July 2, at 18:00, CENN, in partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Agriculture, Nakanimamasakhlisi Photo School and the Environmental Information and Education Center, is holding a photo exhibition with the support of the Norwegian Embassy – ‘Beat Plastic Pollution!’ The exhibition will also feature an award ceremony for the winning authors. 30 authors took part in the photo competition, presenting more than 90 works. The conceptual and creative works reflect the negative effects of environmental pollution with plastics, especially disposable plastic items, and our attitude towards plastic consumption. An independent jury has identified three winning authors who will be awarded prizes at the exhibition. Marco Soldik, Deputy Ambassador of

Norway to Georgia; Head of the Waste and Chemicals Management Department, Ministry of Environment and Agriculture, Alverd Chankseliani; and CENN Executive Director, Nana Janashia will address the attendees of the award ceremony. Plastic pollution is one of the biggest challenges of modern times, which harms the environment, living organisms and has a negative impact on human health. This problem is acute in Georgia as much as anywhere in the world, which is why CENN is working with the Ministry of Environment and Rural Development, with the assistance of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to develop a National Plastic Waste Prevention Program which outlines goals and actions to address challenges in the entire plastic value chain. It will suggest ways to reduce the environmental damage caused by unsustainable plastic management.

Image source: nytimes.com

and Italy, a copyright manager, and a literary agent will visit Tbilisi. To greet the invited foreign publishers, there is a special program planned: meetings with Georgian authors, publishers, literary critics, representatives of partner organizations, a visit to the National Museum, a cultural tour of Old Tbilisi, and more.

The main goal of the literary forumdialogue is to popularize Georgian literature abroad, which means increasing international awareness of Georgian authors and selling the copyrights of their works, as well as promoting the translation process and thus the development of the Georgian publishing field.

CULTURE

GEORGIA TODAY JULY 2 - 8, 2021

They Do a Good Job, But… OP-ED BY NUGZAR B. RUHADZE

he’s an extraordinary kid – independent at a very young age, talented, educated, active, busy, diligent and productive. A lot for 21! And many other Georgian young men and women, who have successfully put their labor into the international market deserve the same

kind of kudos. This particular time around, I am shedding the limelight just on one of them, using the one-at-a-time principal of bestowing the honors fairly. Nina Gavasheli is living in Paris to master a fashion designer’s intricate trade. She is just another city girl from Georgia who wanted to get the maximum out of the minimum opportunity that life had in store for her once she stepped on the road to adulthood. She decided to turn France into the venue of her suc-

cess, and made it to where triumph loomed in the designer’s world. Time passed, and she learned a lot by means of perseverant research into the profession, having embarked on a nonstop train of putting together thought and skill. There is something uncannily peculiar in Nina’s hand and mind, turning her into an extraordinary visionary of a woman’s body. Nothing is overblown in her design, nothing unwanted and superfluous, keeping the detail in its own place: every stitch and line, each color and shade. The female apparel designed by this woman is a perfect amalgam of tradition and modernity, within which a woman feels so much at home that she wants to stay there forever. Nina Gavasheli is just an inch away from becoming an appreciable brand of her own, and mind, this is happening in Paris, the old world of fashion-crazy females, and males too by the way, but it has never occurred to Nina to become a male vestment designer because she thought she could not find there the abundance of opportunity and sumptuousness of style that she could play with. This is why she has fully immersed herself in female garb, as rich and endless as it seems to be today. They say that Nina goes only for a minimalistic appeal that holds a woman’s body within a balanced female attractiveness. She essentially takes women from an emotional stand and transforms them into powerful beings of God-given plainness. A free, intelligent and strong woman who has sustained all that constitutes the most traditional female image is the center of her conceptual world of fashion design. That said, I would also like to make a deliberate footnote that hundreds of our valuable talents are not terribly desirous to stay in Georgia, looking for education and business opportunities somewhere outside this country, which should not be a problem as such because we are living in a liberated world where decisions are made with free will. Frankly,

more often than not, they do a good job working abroad, but on the other hand, these gifted and hardworking boys and girls are gradually turning into assets to other cultures and economies. Moreover, the kids of those kids will not grow up to become real McCoy Kartvels (Georgians), but only the citizens of their adopted countries and the members of societies of their parents’ choice. What is Sakartvelo (Georgia) losing in cases like this? Much: a progenitor, a taxpayer and a soldier, although the runaway sons and daughters of the motherland might very well remain the patriots of

their former country of citizenship. Does it matter, if at all? Yes, it does! Big time! But Nino, as many of our native darlings, wants to be out there, somewhere in the middle of that untapped world, and, understandably, she wishes to be a fashion designer and to live only in Paris, and she persists to stay there for good to grow professionally and make more money than she would ever manage to earn in Georgia, even if she toiled away 24/7. And the most curious part of the whole deal is that nothing and nobody can change her determination to live better if she has a chance to. How on earth could I blame her?!

Program “Enterprise Georgia” to Start Changes to Help Grow Local Film Industry Market BY KETEVAN SKHIRTLADZE

ith the initiative of the Georgian government, the state program “Enterprise Georgia” is to begin promoting the film industry, focusing on promoting the development of the local film industry and attracting foreign studios, the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development reports. As part of the change, a new phase of the film industry promotion program will be announced, with updated designs and conditions that will help to grow the local film industry market, develop the touristic potential, and attract foreign direct investment. As the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Natia Turnava noted this week, the date of accepting projects with renewed conditions will be announced shortly.

“The ‘Film in Georgia’ program helps Georgia to become a better known destination. Moreover, it is important that Georgia is becoming seen as a platform for multiple film production and not only as a place for single filmmaking. “With the renewal of this program, several projects are being developed in Georgia, which include the construction of movie studios, including for Hollywood films. This will be a great achievement since it can be a source of permanent jobs, and it is a platform for us to introduce the film industry and modern technologies in Georgia. In addition, it is the best mechanism for attracting tourists,” said the Minister. The program ‘Film in Georgia’ has been implemented by the agency Enterprise Georgia of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development since 2016. The program allows local and international producers interested in filmmaking to shoot a film or other audio/visual products in Georgia and get back up to 20-25% of qualified expenses.

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