Georgia
Georgia sticking with its EU ambitions
Despite mass demonstrations in Georgia against the seemingly pro-Russian “foreign agents” law in March and growing Russian trade turnover following the start of the war in Ukraine, the government in Tbilisi remains dedicated to joining the EU.
Georgia’s economy outperforms with 10% broad-based growth and record investment in 2022
The Georgian economy has bounced back fast from the series of sharp shocks of recent years, and rather than being dragged down by the polycrisis that has been unfolding.
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All to play for in Russian-Chinese backyard
Russia and China will struggle for common policy on possible Russian soft underbelly Central Asia, Afghanistan, Mongolia, the vital Europe/Asia Caucasus crossroads, the Baltics, CEE and SEE.
TBC Bank looks to Uzbekistan for growth
Georgia's leading bank is expanding its international operations and investing in cutting-edge banking technologies.
COMMENT: Georgia’s uneasy path towards EU membership
Since communism collapsed and Georgia achieved independence, we have only too often witnessed an ambivalence about the country's future direction among its ruling elites.
Venice Commission urges Georgia to improve proposed judiciary and de-oligarchisation reforms
Council of Europe body's opinions add to the government's problems by confirming the objections from opposition parties and the EU Commission.
EBRD faces criticism for funding Tbilisi’s purchase of Russian metro cars
Bankwatch has urged the EBRD to terminate the contract with Metrovagonmash and find an alternative supplier for the project.
Turkey cuts trade ties with Russia, Hungary to “rethink” relationship as Western pressure to end sanctions-busting mounts
Turkey has abruptly stopped exporting goods to Russia and one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s strongest advocates in Europe, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, has said that he might “rethink” his relations with Russia in the future.
CAUCASUS BLOG: Where next for Georgian Dream?
Two days of mass protest have forced the ruling Georgian Dream party to back down and withdraw a proposed “foreign agents” law, which would brand NGOs and media that receive more than 20% of their income from abroad.
Foreign agents bill withdrawn from Georgian parliament
The Georgian Dream bloc, which holds the parliamentary majority, has withdrawn the controversial bill on foreign agents from the Georgian parliament that sparked two days of mass protests in the country, Vedomosti reports on March 9.
Protesters against foreign agent laws clash with police in Tbilisi
Legislation would require any organisation that receives over 20% of its funding from overseas to register as foreign agents or face substantial fines.
Georgian inflation retreated to 8.1% in February
Annual CPI inflation retreated to 8.1% in February from a 9.4% inflation rate the previous month, Galt & Taggart reports.
Ukrainian refugees and Russian migrants bring economic benefits but also stresses to Emerging Europe
Looking forward to the end of the war, whenever it happens, policymakers are already speculating on how many of the refugees and migrants are likely to stay and how many will return.
Georgian foreign agents law to be sent to Venice Commission for review
Ruling party says it would only consider technical aspects of any criticisms of the foreign agents bill, which targets NGOs that receive international funding.
EU issues diplomatic warning over Saakashvili's deteriorating health
Doctors say that if the Georgian ex-president continues to lose weight in prison, he will become bedridden and his body will face irreversible damage.
Stable outlooks at lowest level for two decades in Emerging Europe, says Fitch Ratings
One year since the Ukraine conflict began, the share of stable sovereign outlooks in Emerging Europe is at its lowest since late 2003.
EU says Georgian foreign agents bill "inconsistent" with its norms
EU warns that bill to restrict non-governmental organisations goes against the country's hopes of becoming a candidate country to join the bloc.
Georgian president vetoes National Bank amendments
Critics argue amendments would enable ruling Georgian Dream party to bypass president and stuff the central bank board with its own candidates.
Russia’s war in Ukraine has distorted global trade routes
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and related sanctions have distorted trade routes across the Eurasian continent.
Georgian Dream voices support for controversial foreign agents bill
Bill based on Russian model would criminalise NGOs and further damage the country's ambitions to join the European Union.
