Georgia’s four protected areas have been granted UNESCO World Natural Heritage status. The status was granted to the Mtirala and Kolkheti National Parks and the Kintrishi and Kobuleti Protected Areas, which will help increase awareness about Georgia’s natural treasures while attracting new visitors. “This is an important event not only for the country but also for the whole region,” Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili wrote on his Facebook page. “The special designation has only been given to 213 other sites worldwide.”
An American fire department from Marietta, Georgia, U.S. recently traveled to Borjomi to train Georgian Emergency Management Services in Swift-Water Rescue techniques. The training opportunity required extensive coordination between numerous agencies and departments at local and federal agencies from both countries. “This partnership increases our interoperability,” said Lt. Col. Colin Thompson, Director of Georgia State Partnership Program, Joint Force Headquarters, Georgia National Guard. “It’s a mutual benefit to both countries that strengthen the economy and security.”
On the occasion of the 13th year since the 2008 August War, Washington DC-based think tanks and experts issued a number of articles and commentaries. Thanks to Atlantic Council, CEPA, Heritage Foundation, Middle East Institute, and all American friends of Georgia for reminding the world of Russia’s full-scale military invasion against Georgia and occupation of Georgia’s territories in gross violation of the international norms.