Georgia to abolish administration for Russia-occupied territory of Tsk...

According to Papuashvili, several legislative initiatives have been developed in consultation with the government, which will be tabled at today’s session of the Parliamentary Bureau. The Parliament plans to adopt these amendments by the end of the year.“I would remind the public that in November 2006, under the United National Movement government, unconstitutional elections were held in the Tskhinvali region, resulting in the proclamation of a so-called president of South Ossetia and the formation of a so-called alternative South Ossetian government. Through this action, the government of the day granted indirect legitimacy to separatist processes, an egregious and grave betrayal of Georgia’s state interests.Several months later, a Temporary Administrative-Territorial Unit Administration was established in June 2007, once again in breach of the Constitution, based on the very same unconstitutional ‘alternative government’. This decision artificially restored the administrative boundaries of the South Ossetian Autonomous Region, which had been abolished in 1990. This move later became one of the key factors enabling the 2008 Russian military aggression and the occupation of Georgia’s historic region of Samachablo.From today’s perspective, it is evident that these decisions were part of an external power’s geopolitical manoeuvre, with Georgia cast as a sacrificial pawn. The policies implemented under Saakashvili’s leadership provoked an escalation in the region and ultimately drove the country towards war.Against this backdrop, members of Georgia’s Parliament have assessed this decision as gross treachery against Georgia’s national interests, a view reflected in the constitutional lawsuit demanding that the United National Movement be declared unconstitutional. It must be emphasised that at a time when Georgia has spent years working to strengthen its policy of non-recognition, the United National Movement regime’s use of the term ‘South Ossetia’, even indirectly, was from the outset a betrayal of the Constitution and national interests. No ‘South Ossetia’ exists within Georgian legal or political space whatsoever.Accordingly, following consultations with the government, we have decided to abolish the administration of the administrative-territorial unit established on the territory of the former South Ossetian Autonomous Region.I should emphasise that the municipalities of Akhalgori, Kurta, Tighvi, and Eredvi will remain operational. These were elected in 2006 in full accordance with the Constitution. They represent the only legitimately elected and functioning government in the Tskhinvali region and thus constitute the sole lawful continuation of Georgia’s legal and constitutional framework,” declared Papuashvili.

Anti-Corruption Bureau to be disbanded; its functions transferred to S...

During a recent briefing in Parliament, Papuashvili explained that the functions of the Anti-Corruption Bureau will be entirely transferred to the State Audit Office of Georgia (SAO).“The second key aspect involves reviewing and consolidating institutional models that have existed for years, often in a fragmented or externally imposed form. We aim to strengthen the constitutional framework of the governance system and optimise the utilisation of state resources.Tackling corruption remains one of the government’s top priorities. Significant steps have been taken in this direction recently. The process involves the Department of Government Administration Efficiency, the State Audit Office, the Anti-Corruption Agency of the State Security Service, and the Prosecutor’s Office.Currently, the Anti-Corruption Bureau primarily handles the collection and monitoring of declarations from officials, political parties, and non-governmental organisations. Following consultations with the government, it was agreed that this function would be better suited to the State Audit Office, an independent, higher constitutional institution operating within the framework of public governance.In line with this initiative, it has been announced that the Anti-Corruption Bureau will be abolished from March 2, 2026, with its responsibilities fully transferred to the State Audit Office,” stated Shalva Papuashvili.

Negotiations with Russia on the return of IDPs to the occupied territo...

According to the Ministry, the Georgian delegation centred its discussions on the urgent need for Russia to fully fulfil its obligations under the ceasefire agreement, as well as on ensuring the safe and dignified return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees from the occupied territories to their homes.“In the period of November 11-12, 2025, the 65th round of the Geneva International Discussions took place, led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Lasha Darsalia.Throughout the negotiations, the Georgian delegation emphasised the core issues on the agenda, notably the necessity for Russia to implement its international commitments under the August 12, 2008, ceasefire agreement brokered by the European Union, and to facilitate the safe and dignified return of internally displaced persons and refugees to their homes from the occupied territories.The importance of restoring the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) in Gali without preconditions was underscored, along with the need for the mechanism to operate regularly in Gali and Ergneti in accordance with fundamental principles.The Georgian side also strongly raised concerns about the occupation of the territories, highlighting the serious security, humanitarian, and human rights crises in the regions, as well as the destructive actions undertaken by the occupation regimes. The Georgian side has voiced particular concern over the recent unlawful opening of the airport in Sukhumi, which violates fundamental principles and norms of international law, as well as the commencement of regular flights and the initiation of rail and sea passenger services from Russia to Sukhumi.As usual, representatives of Russia and the occupation regimes departed from the negotiation table on one of the key issues on the agenda, the return of internally displaced persons and refugees. Consequently, as with previous rounds, the 65th negotiations ended without resolution.The Geneva International Discussions were established in response to the 2008 agreement brokered by the European Union. The core issues under discussion include the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement, the safe and dignified return of internally displaced persons and refugees, and addressing the security and humanitarian challenges created by Russian occupation,” the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

All 20 victims found after Turkish military plane crash in Georgia

The Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs also announced the discovery of the 20th victim.It was previously reported that the aircraft’s black box had been taken to Turkey for examination.The Turkish military plane, carrying 20 servicemen, crashed near the Georgian–Azerbaijani border in the Sighnaghi Municipality while flying from Azerbaijan to Turkey.

Leri Barnabishvili removed from Deputy Minister of Finance's role

“Pursuant to the first paragraph of Article 24 of the Law of Georgia on the Structure, Powers and Procedures of the Government of Georgia, Leri Barnabishvili is hereby dismissed from his position as Deputy Minister of Finance of Georgia, effective from November 11, 2025,” the Prime Minister’s decree reads.Leri Barnabishvili was appointed Deputy Minister of Finance in early May 2024.Prior to that, he held the position of Head of the Department for Relations with Regions of the Government Administration.The Ministry of Finance wrote in May last year that Barnabishvili had 20 years of experience working in the Ministry of Finance system, including holding the position of Deputy Minister of Finance in 2015-2020.