Professors from 65 leading universities around the world call on Kobak...

"We urge the government to rethink this educationally harmful proposal and to engage with allstakeholders in Georgia’s higher educational system" - This is stated in the letter from foreign professors to Irakli Kobakhidze, Prime Minister of Georgia."On October 16, you announced a National Reform Concept for Higher Education, consisting of seven major components. In this document and in your speech, you and your government assure Georgian citizens that the National Reform Concept will improve efficiency and quality in Georgian higher education and promote equal access for students. We agree there are longstanding problems in the Georgian higher educational system: universities and institutes are nder-resourced (in 2025, Georgian government spending on higher education was 0.3% of GDP); faculty are underpaid, working two to three jobs to feed their families; government supported research and scientific laboratories have become practically non-existent; and unemployment among university graduates stimulates a massive out-migration abroad every year.The measures you propose in the National Reform Concept for Higher Education will not solve any of these problems. Rather, they will increase government control over the higher educational sector. Management will be placed in the hands of rectors and administrators beholden to the government. University autonomy, and with it, faculty control over academic programs and curricula will be severely weakened. University budgets will be reduced even further, and the removal of dissenting faculty will become easier as part of the reorganization. The “reform” will close the last sphere in Georgia which is open to healthy dissent. A well-functioning university system which incorporates critical thinking, selfgovernment, academic freedom, well-funded research opportunities, and international exchange is vital to growing the Georgian national economy. Without universities where information is freely shared and research freely pursued, the Georgian economy will not thrive.We are international scholars from universities around the world. We are concerned about other measures undertaken by your government which have led to the imprisonment of faculty and students for peacefully defending their rights. Your proposed National Reform Concept for Higher Education will not only nullify Georgia’s democratic progress but will limit the prospects of your citizens, who you were elected to represent. Higher education provides the state with engaged citizens and professionals, who along with working people, will ensure the country’s survival and prosperity in an increasingly competitive global order.We urge the government to rethink this educationally harmful proposal and to engage with all stakeholders in Georgia’s higher educational system to create a genuine reform that will improve the lives of Georgian citizens and those of their children", - It is stated in the letter signed by:1. Professor Stephen Jones, Davis Center, Harvard University2. Professor Ronald Suny (Emeritus), University of Michigan, University of Chicago3. Professor Erik R. Scott, University of Kansas4. Prof. Dr. Hubertus Jahn (Emeritus), University of Cambridge5. Professor Catriona Kelly FBA, Senior Research Fellow, Trinity College, University of Cambridge6. Prof. Dr. Ulf Brunnbauer, Leibniz Institute for East and Southeast European Studies, Regensburg (Germany)7. Professor Kelly O'Neill, Harvard University8. Professor Roy Allison, St. Antony's College, University of Oxford9. Professor Donald Rayfield (Emeritus), Queen Mary College, University of London10. Professor Stephen Neil MacFarlane (Emeritus), University of Oxford11. Lincoln Mitchell, Columbia University12. Professor Florian Mühlfried, Ilia State University13. Professor Paul Manning, Trent University, Canada14. Professor Maia Chankseliani, University of Oxford15. Professor Charles Urjewicz (Emeritus) (INALCO, Paris, France)16. Professor Oliver Reisner, Ilia State University Tbilisi17. Professor Michael Rochlitz, University of Oxford /Director of the Oxford Georgia Programme18. Dr Alexander Morrison, Fellow and Tutor in History, New College, Oxford19. Professor Jeremy Smith, University of Eastern Finland20. Professor Guido Hausmann, Leibniz Institute for East and Southeast European Studies21. Professor Edmund Herzig, Professor of Persian Studies, University of Oxford22. Professor Bruce Grant, New York University23. Professor Jonathan Wheatley, Oxford Brookes University24. Professor Mirja Lecke, University of Regensburg, Germany25. Ambassador William Courtney (US, Retired)26. Ambassador Kenneth Yalowitz (US, Retired)27. Professor Timothy Blauvelt, Ilia State University28. Professor Julie George, CUNY and Columbia University29. Professor Robert Kindler, Freie Universität Berlin30. Prof. Dr. Theocharis Grigoriadis, Freie Universität Berlin31. Dr Tamara Dragadze, Visiting Professor, University of Westminster32. Professor Michael David-Fox, Director, Center for Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies, School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University33. Dr Michel Abeßer, Assistant Professor, University of Freiburg, Germany34. Prof. Dr. Stefan Applis (Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg)35. Prof. Dr. Matthias Theodor Vogt, Dr. h.c. (Pécs University), Dr. h.c. (Ilia State University Tbilisi), Director Institut für kulturelle Infrastruktur Sachsen36. Dr Michael H. Cecire, Affiliated Scholar, Center for Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies, Georgetown University37. Professor Dan Healey (Emeritus), University of Oxford38. PD. Dr. Kirsten Bönker, Nordost-Institut an der Universität Hamburg39. Professor Anne Meneley, Trent University40. Prof. Dr. Susanne Frank, Humboldt University of Berlin41. Prof. Dr. Riccardo Nicolosi, LMU University Munich42. Dr Riccardo Mario Cucciolla (University of Naples l'Orientale, Naples, Italy)43. Professor Alex Krouglov, UCL SSEES (University College London, School of Slavonic and East European Studies)44. Lesia Rubashova, Assoc. Professor, Research and Educational Center of Foreign Languages, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine45. Dr Rasmus Nilsson, Lecturer, UCL SSEES (University College London, School of Slavonic and East European Studies)46. Dr Peter Braga, Lecturer, UCL SSEES (University College London, School of Slavonic and East European Studies)47. Prof. Dr. Thomas Ertl, Freie Universitaet, Berlin48. Prof. Dr. Marc Junge, University of Erlangen, Germany, department for Eastern European history49. Professor Pamela Davidson, Russian literature, UCL SSEES (University College London, School of Slavonic and East European Studies)50. Dr. Philipp Christoph Schmädeke CEO Akademisches Netzwerk Osteuropa, aknoe.V., Director SCIENCE AT RISK Emergency Office51. Professor Richard Mole, Political Sociology, UCL SSEES (University College London, School of Slavonic and East European Studies)52. Olivia Bailey, language coordinator, UCL SSEES (University College London, School of Slavonic and East European Studies)53. Dr Jessie Barton Hronesova, Lecturer, UCL SSEES (University College London, School of Slavonic and East European Studies)54. Dr Jakub Beneš, UCL SSEES (University College London, School of Slavonic and East European Studies)55. Prof. Dr. F. Benjamin Schenk (University of Basel)56. Professor Katie Campbell, King's College, University of Cambridge57. Professor Anke Hilbrenner, Institute for Historical Sciences, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany58. Megi Kartsivadze, University College London59. Dr Hans Gutbrod, Ilia State University60. Professor Riccardo Nicolosi, LMU University Munich61. Dr. Mike Loader, University of Glasgow, UK62. Dr Yuliya Yurchuk, Assistant Professor, Södertörn University, Sweden63. Professor Antoon de Baets, em. University of Groningen (The Netherlands)64. Professor Gesine Drews-Sylla, Neuphilologisches Institut - Slavistik, Julius-Maximilians Universität Würzburg65. Dr Abraham Florin, Associate Professor in Political Science at the Faculty of Communication of the National University of Political Science and Public Administration, Bucharest

Kobakhidze outlines his government's priorities at Ashgabat Peace Foru...

"We have initiated and facilitated discussions, thereby confirming our commitment to promoting a more stable and cooperative regional environment," the head of government said.According to Kobakhidze, the country continues to develop steadily and maintains macroeconomic stability, achieves impressive growth and demonstrates exceptional economic resilience.Georgia has maintained a stable trend of economic growth for several consecutive years. Between 2021 and 2024, Georgia recorded one of the highest economic growth rates in the world - an average of 9.8%. GDP per capita in USD has more than doubled compared to 2020. High economic growth is expected to continue in the coming years, a forecast supported by assessments from reputable international financial institutions," added Irakli Kobakhidze.In his remarks, the Head of Government of Georgia also highlighted the importance of the Middle Corridor and Georgia's role in promoting regional cooperation."Given the positive economic momentum, Georgia actively promotes regional cooperation, building both physical and diplomatic bridges across the region. The Middle Corridor, connecting Asia and Europe, is a central element of this vision. It is designed not only to facilitate trade, but also to strengthen mutual economic interdependence - the most durable foundation of trust among nations.Indeed, the Middle Corridor is more than a transport route; it is a corridor of trust, connecting people, businesses and cultures across the continent. Guided by a firm commitment to peaceful policy, we strive to contribute to regional stability by offering a neutral and reliable space for dialogue in the South Caucasus. We have initiated and supported discussions aimed at reducing tensions and establishing communication channels among neighbors, reaffirming our commitment to fostering a more stable and cooperation-oriented regional environment.Georgia remains fully committed to partnering with others to transform the ideals of the International Year of Peace and Trust into tangible and lasting progress. We believe that a sustainable future requires both dialogue and action, and that our shared goals rest on joint efforts. Together, we can create a safer, more stable and sustainable future for generations to come," concluded the Prime Minister of Georgia.The global forum dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust was opened by Serdar Berdimuhamedov, President of Turkmenistan.

US Congressman Wilson Condemns Activities of Ambassador Taliashvili’s...

“It is outrageous that the husband of the GD regime appointed ambassador to U.S. is reportedly helping Russia to evade U.S. sanctions meant to cripple Putin’s war machine. US Treasury should look into this, and I look forward to following up,” Wilson wrote.The statement follows a report by OC-Media, which claims that David Kukhalashvili, husband of Ambassador Tamar Taliashvili, is the founder and managing director of a Moscow-based law firm advising clients on avoiding sanctions and asset freezes imposed by the US and European Union.

GYLA Wins “Gavrilov Night” Case at European Court of Human Rights Gran...

The case concerns the June 20-21, 2019 protests in Georgia following the visit of Russian State Duma deputy Sergei Gavrilov, who chaired a session in the Georgian Parliament. During the protests, riot police used tear gas and rubber bullets, injuring several hundred demonstrators, including 38 journalists, with some losing their eyesight. Several participants were also arrested for alleged involvement in violence.The Grand Chamber ruled unanimously that Georgia violated the procedural aspect of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which obliges states to conduct effective, independent, and timely investigations into alleged torture or inhuman treatment. The Court also found violations of Article 10 (Freedom of Expression) and Article 11 (Freedom of Assembly). The Government’s claim that domestic remedies had been exhausted was rejected.The Court awarded the victims a total of €646,000. The applicants included both ordinary demonstrators and journalists, while the State was ordered to cover €100,000 in legal costs.

Gov’t to write off 1 BLN GEL in fines for renewable energy companies u...

According to him, one of the obstacles hindering the development of the energy system is the debt accumulated by companies over recent years in the form of fines and penalties.“We have made a critically important decision to write off fines and penalties imposed on companies operating in the sector, subject to specific conditions. All energy sector companies involved in developing renewable energy projects will have their accumulated state fines, with the total amount reaching one billion lari, written off under specific conditions.As for the conditions: to ensure companies are not tempted to continue operating irresponsibly and accumulating new fines, but instead take the state’s sector reform initiative seriously, they will be fully liable for any newly accumulated penalties and fines should they breach the renewed deadlines. Moreover, the fines forgiven by today’s decision will be reinstated,” Kobakhidze stated.According to the Prime Minister, the conditional debt relief serves two simultaneous purposes.“On the one hand, companies must have the financial barrier removed in the process of implementing energy projects, and on the other hand, companies must retain maximum motivation to implement planned projects within the grant deadlines. Debt forgiveness should mark the beginning of a new process based on bilateral cooperation, yet imbued with responsibility. This means new agreements, new schedules, and new reasonable mutual obligations between the state and companies. We shall take a strict approach to any new unfulfilled obligations or new debts to the state budget. With our new approach, we are beginning to implement an energy policy that will be acceptable to companies involved in the energy sector and from which the country will derive maximum benefit,” Kobakhidze declared.As Irakli Kobakhidze stated at today’s briefing, today’s decision will provide fresh impetus for the development of the energy system.“Our decision today will provide fresh impetus for the development of the energy system, which is of decisive importance for the country’s economic development and the strengthening of economic independence. I thank Georgia’s Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Mariam Kvrivishvili, and the ministry’s team for preparing this critically important decision. I wish the energy companies success in the process of implementing renewable energy projects,” the Prime Minister stated.