Former Czech Republic Defense Minister urges G7 support for Georgia. Alexandr Vondra, the Czech Republic’s former Defense Minister and currently a Member of the European Parliament lays out a strong case for enhancing Western support to Georgia for accelerating its journey to integrate into transatlantic institutions and, ultimately, acquiring EU and NATO membership. Says Vondra: “Georgia has a pro-European and pro-Western government, led by the incumbent Georgian Dream party, and popular support for applying for EU and NATO membership runs at 80%. The country is democratic—Georgian Dream’s recently-proposed electoral reform has been welcomed by the EU and US both of whom were involved in the negotiations and drafting.”
Poland’s president meets President Trump, cites Russia aggression in Georgia. In his meeting with U.S. president Donald Trump, Polish president Andrzej Duda cited Russia’s aggression against Georgia and Ukraine, and he called for more U.S.–Poland defense and security cooperation. Poland continues to be one of the strongest voices for granting Georgia full membership in NATO.
Georgia builds military capacity. Georgian Minister of Defense Irakli Gharibashvili signalled his desire to relaunch Sukhoi (Su-25) production in Georgia. This ground attack aircraft, nicknamed “Frogfoot,” is operated by many militaries, with more than 500 in service today in more than 24 air forces around the world. A market clearly exists. “We have absolutely all the resources—technical, intellectual and human—to produce and sell Su-25s with our own means,” notes Gharibashvili. Meanwhile, Georgia’s military has signed several deals to update its transportation fleet with modern trucks from German-based MAN, Italy’s IVECO, and America’s Ford. And recruits in Georgia’s Basic Combat Training course in Vaziani now will receive a modest, but welcome salary.
E-textbooks, more e-commerce coming to Georgia. Beginning in September, Georgian students will have the option of receiving some of their education via e-textbooks. Planning for this move began at the Ministry of Education before the pandemic hit, but the crisis has given it energy, mirroring how countries in many parts of the world have increased their reliance on digital resources as a result of pandemic lockdowns. Microsoft Corporation advanced plans to become more fully engaged in Georgia’s digital learning through implementation of its Minecraft Education Edition, a version of its wildly popular videogame for use in primary schools. E-commerce has also grown during the pandemic. In Georgia, as in many countries, more and more consumers have resorted to shopping on-line.
Georgia praised, Russia denounced by United Nations Human Rights Council. Many countries rose to praise Georgia’s contributions to human rights at the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva. Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs used the occasion to call out Russia’s “dreadful humanitarian and human rights situation in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali regions of Georgia.” Deputies denounced Russia’s policy of ‘borderization’, by erecting wires and artificial barricades along the occupation line separating the occupied regions from the rest of Georgia.
U.S. State Department praises Georgia’s counter-terrorism activities. The U.S. Department of State’s Report on Terrorism describes Georgia’s activities, training, and preparation for counter-terrorism operations very favorably. The State Security Service’s role is praised in the report, noting that Georgia is capable of detecting, deterring, and responding to terrorist incidents.
America Georgia Business Council meets. The America Georgia Business Council held its 23rd annual meeting on-line. A recap of its discussions can be found here.