European Parliament adopts resolution on the Association Agreement and DCFTA with Georgia

The European Parliament has adopted a resolution on the Association Agreement and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements with Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova.

Members of the European Parliament voted on the resolution at the European Parliament's plenary session in Strasbourg.

The document stresses the importance of ensuring independence and transparency of Georgia’s judiciary, the Prosecutor's Office, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Security Service. The resolution also expresses some remarks concerning the mechanism of pre-trial detention and notes it must be used against political officials only on special occasions.

The resolution also focuses on the media environment. MEPs underline the importance of media pluralism and specifically refer to the Rustavi 2 case.

Before the voting, the draft resolution was considered at the European Parliament’s plenary session and debates were also held.

Gazprom presented an ultimatum to Georgia - Kakha Kaladze

According to Energy Minister Kakha Kaladze, Gazprom has presented an ultimatum to Georgia.

As the Minister said on Rustavi 2 TV yesterday, the Georgian side expressed categorical opposition to the Gazprom ultimatum that the price for the conveyed gas be paid by money, but the company indicated that in other case they would import Iranian gas through Armenia.

"You know that today 10 % of the conveyed volume of gas is given to Georgia. However, Gazprom has presented an ultimatum to move to financial payment. This was news for us. We categorically objected to this, though they directly indicated that they can import Iranian gas through Armenia.

There really exist such a danger and its consequences will be very grave for us”, said Kaladze.

Next round of Gazprom talks to be held in Vienna

The next round of Gazprom talks will be held in Austria, - Energy Minister Kakha Kaladze said on Rustavi 2 TV yesterday.

He said that the public will be informed about the details after the completion of the negotiations.

"The next meeting will be held in Vienna. I will take part in the meeting and will try to bring the results that will be acceptable and important for our country and our industry. The meeting will not be attended by Mr. Miller. As far as I am informed, Ms Burmistova will attend the meeting instead of him. After the meeting, I will provide you with the details", - said Kakha Kaladze.

According to him, increase in gas price is ruled out at this stage.

“We don’t expect increase in gas price. You know how it happens – gas price reduces when oil price drops. So, I rule out any increase in gas price at this stage”, said the Minister.

EU State Leaders Agree on Sending Observers to Georgia

EU state leaders agreed about sending observers to Georgia.
TV Company Rustavi 2 informs that the decision was taken in Avignon, France, where foreign ministers arrived with special train.
EU foreign policy coordinator Javier Solana states that formation of the mission will be ended in 10 days and police subdivisions will be located in Georgia together with OSCE observers in the end of the month.
Details are agreed, but several items were left open by leaders, that will be decided by Sarkozy in France on Monday during visit to Russian president Dmitri Medvedev.
Slovenia foreign minister Dimitrij Rupel says that Russia will be demanded to abolish illegal block posts, as the mission must work only with occupied zones. Exact number of the observers is not stipulated, though it is known that several hundreds of policemen will take part in it.
Poland has already offered EU leaders to send its representatives to Georgia.