Banks to pay 420 million GEL to the budget this year

“Tonight marks a troubling escalation. Peaceful demonstrations barely began when crackdowns started. This is an attack on freedom of expression and the right to protest – basic rights violated, not to mention the way people are arrested and treated once detained,” she wrote on the X Platform.According to the President, Georgian people demand their “European future back.”“Across Georgia, people are rising against the Russian puppetry regime. From the capital to the smallest towns, this is a movement unlike anything in our history. The message is clear: Give me my vote back! Give me my European future back!” she said.

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“Naturally, Lithuania would provide asylum if such a need arose, but at the moment, President Zourabichvili has made it very clear that she will stand with her people in Tbilisi ” Skaisgiryte stated on LNK television.

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"A very important official denial of false information, as if Georgian soldiers in Ukraine would come and join the protests. Full propaganda. The only war is the one started by "Georgian Dream" against the Georgian people," the president wrote on social platform X.Earlier, the "Georgian Legion" released a statement that Russian propaganda recently started spreading false claims that the Georgian Legion plans to return to Georgia and participate in protests."We categorically deny these baseless accusations. While we fully support the Georgian people's righteous indignation at the Georgian government's decision to halt progress towards EU membership, our fight remains here in Ukraine, where our common enemy is. Since 2014, "Georgian Legion" has stood firm in its loyalty to Ukraine and will continue to stand against Russian aggression. "Our commitment to the victory of Ukraine is unwavering and we will be on the front line until this goal is achieved," the statement said.

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"We, the employees of the Revenue Service, have been actively involved in the process of our country's integration into the European Union for years. Over time, a number of important steps have been taken, which ultimately resulted in Georgia being granted the historic status of a candidate country. The Georgian government's statement on suspending the opening of negotiations for the next 4 years means suspending the process of integration into the European Union for decades, since the stage from the opening of negotiations to becoming a member is a long process in itself, and at the same time, EU membership does not depend only on the desire of the candidate country, it requires the existence of the corresponding political will and readiness within the EU itself. We, the current employees of the Revenue Service, support the above-mentioned decision of the Georgian government, and remain committed to the Constitution of Georgia and the course of integration into the European Union," the statement reads, which has already been signed by 177 employees.A similar statement was also issued by employees of other agencies, including representatives of the National Bank.Dozens of journalists and employees of the Public Broadcasting Corporation issued a statement on Tuesday condemning violence against citizens and colleagues and demanding that the channel's airtime be dedicated to public discussions and public opinion.

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With regard to the annual core inflation, the prices increased by 1.6 percent, while the annual core inflation without tobacco also amounted to 1.6 percent.The monthly inflation rate was mainly influenced by price changes for the following groups:Food and non-alcoholic beverages: the prices for the group increased by 2.2 percent, contributing 0.74 percentage points to the overall monthly inflation rate. The prices increased for the following subgroups: vegetables (17.9 percent), sugar, jam, honey, chocolate and confectionery (3.4 percent), oils and fats (3.3 percent), fish (2.6 percent), mineral waters, soft drinks, fruit and vegetable juices (1.9 percent), milk, cheese and eggs (1.0 percent), bread and cereals (0.7 percent). At the same time, prices decreased for the following subgroups: fruit and grapes (-3.6 percent), coffee, tea and cocoa (-1.2 percent), meat (-0.4 percent);Health: the prices increased by 0.9 percent, contributing 0.09 percentage points to the overall index. The prices were higher for the following subgroups: medical products, appliances and equipment (1.4 percent), out-patient services (0.3 percent);Transport: the prices for the group decreased by 1.5 percent, contributing -0.17 percentage points to the overall index. Within the group the prices decreased for transport services (-2.5 percent) and operation of personal transport equipment (-1.5 percent).The monthly inflation rate was mainly influenced by price changes for the following groups:Food and non-alcoholic beverages: the prices for the group increased by 2.2 percent, contributing 0.74 percentage points to the overall monthly inflation rate. The prices increased for the following subgroups: vegetables (17.9 percent), sugar, jam, honey, chocolate and confectionery (3.4 percent), oils and fats (3.3 percent), fish (2.6 percent), mineral waters, soft drinks, fruit and vegetable juices (1.9 percent), milk, cheese and eggs (1.0 percent), bread and cereals (0.7 percent).At the same time, prices decreased for the following subgroups: fruit and grapes (-3.6 percent), coffee, tea and cocoa (-1.2 percent), meat (-0.4 percent); Health: the prices increased by 0.9 percent, contributing 0.09 percentage points to the overall index.The prices were higher for the following subgroups: medical products, appliances and equipment (1.4 percent), out-patient services (0.3 percent);Transport: the prices for the group decreased by 1.5 percent, contributing -0.17 percentage points to the overall index. Within the group the prices decreased for transport services (-2.5 percent) and operation of personal transport equipment (-1.5 percent).Alcoholic beverages and tobacco: the prices increased by 5.1 percent, with the relevant contribution of 0.34 percentage points to the overall annual inflation rate. The prices increased for both alcoholic beverages (7.5 percent) and tobacco (2.1 percent);Communication: the prices decreased by 12.9 percent, contributing -0.48 percentage points to the overall index; Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels: the prices for the group decreased by 3.7 percent, contributing -0.32 percentage points to the overall index.The prices were lower for the subgroups of electricity, gas and other fuels (-5.2 percent) and actual rentals for housing (-2.7 percent). At the same time, the prices increased for maintenance and repair of the dwelling (5.8 percent).

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“On September 20, 2021, we issued a special situation statement announcing that our subsidiary, ENKA Renewables LLC, had terminated the contract for the Namakhvani Cascade HEPP Project in Georgia. The international arbitration process regarding the termination has now been completed. The decision confirms that our subsidiary rightfully terminated the contract, and the Georgian government has been ordered to pay approximately 383.2 million USD in compensation to our subsidiary, along with interest,” Turkish media reported.ENKA has confirmed that once the compensation is received, the details will be shared with investors in a special situational statement.

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The EU officials condemned the “violence” against what they called “peaceful protesters” during the rallies.“Actions of the Government run counter to the will of the people. The EU stands with the people of Georgia”, an EU statement on the subject said.Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday highlighted the country’s EU integration as his Government’s “top” foreign policy priority.Kobakhidze noted the Government’s approach involved “action instead of blackmail”, adding “we must continue on the path towards a full-fledged integration into the European Union”.

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“Georgian Dream’s various anti-democratic actions have violated the core tenets of our US-Georgia Strategic Partnership, which was based on shared values and commitments to democracy, rule of law, civil society, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and anti-corruption efforts”, Miller said.The Spokesperson noted the Georgian people “overwhelmingly support integration with Europe” and the recent move of the Government “goes against the promise to the Georgian people enshrined in their constitution to pursue full integration into the European Union and NATO”, adding the ruling party had “rejected the opportunity for closer ties with Europe and made Georgia more vulnerable to the Kremlin”.In his comments over the ongoing public protests held against the Government’s announcement, the official said the US condemned “the excessive use of force by police against Georgians seeking to exercise their rights to assembly and expression, including their freedom to peacefully protest” and called on all sides “to ensure protests remain peaceful”.Miller reiterated the US call to the Georgian Government “to return to its Euro-Atlantic path, transparently investigate all parliamentary election [held in October] irregularities” and “repeal anti-democratic laws that limit freedoms of assembly and expression”.

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