A thaw or just talks about a thaw? 2009-12-11 17:38 Not so long ago, the Georgian and the Russian experts have jointly stated that one should not expect any thaw in the relationship between Moscow and Tbilisi. These words made yesterdays’ statements of President of Russia Dmitriy Medvedev about the prospects of mending relationship between the two countries still more unexpected and encouraging. GeorgiaTimes correspondent tried to find out in Moscow and Tbilisi whether one should expect a real thaw in our relationship or it is only wishful thinking.

Medvedev brings hope to the Georgians 2009-12-10 09:57 After the last August events Russia and Georgia’s relationship has been in the public eye of the world’s community. Today, the Georgian-Russian relations were specifically stressed in the speech delivered by President of Russia Dmitriy Medvedev at the 4th European-Asian media forum held in Moscow. Medvedev outlined further relationship with the neighboring country and caused exultation of the expatriate community representatives by saying that flight connection is going to be opened soon. However, Tbilisi’s first reaction was far from friendly.

Political prisoners raise the alarm from Georgian prisons 2009-12-08 22:55 Today, 35 prisoners of Georgia, whose arrest was politically grounded, have embarked on hunger strike. This fact was confirmed to GeorgiaTimes by attorney Gela Nikoleishvili. Meanwhile, All-Georgia Human Rights Association appealed to international human rights defenders, calling to influence the Georgian jurisdiction. Persecution of the families of Gamsakhurdia, Beselia and other unwanted people goes on.

“Democratic” dictatorship or all in Saakashvili’s hands 2009-12-04 16:17 Georgia is yearning to join European structures, both the opposition and authorities are unanimous here. The more paradoxical is the decision to turn out Russian experts or condemn a politologist for espionage. Do Saakashvili’s personal decisions comply with “democratic values” Tbilisi says to adhere to: whom to let in the country or deny access, whom to condemn and whom not? It looks like a bout of spy scare.

Georgian historians pointed at the “enemy” 2009-12-04 15:42 As is clear from the review of schoolbooks on the history of the countries being former USSR republics, Soviet historiography has been almost completely destroyed. Instead of a truth tree, it was replaced by certain myths, where the subtle enemy is represented by Slavonic tribes, Russian empire and the USSR. The Georgian school historians do not fall behind their colleagues, calling Russia a “subtle enemy” and the source of all mishaps.

OSCE is considering Russia’s initiative but Georgia turns it down flat 2009-12-04 09:51 The seventeenth session of OSCE Ministerial Council is about to complete its work in Athens. One of these days, Head of MFA of Russia Sergey Lavrov submitted the draft European Security Treaty. Various countries' position as to the new initiative varies a lot. Georgia sharply criticized the new concept before the meeting in Athens. GeorgiaTimes correspondent and the Russian and Georgian experts discussed the Kremlin's initiative.

Election “compromise” legalizes discrimination 2009-12-01 21:29 Georgia’s radical opposition doesn’t share the triumph of authorities that presented draft amendments to the Election Code yesterday. What the ruling majority calls “a compromise” will in reality stir heavier discrimination of United National movements political opponents at the local elections as stated by Kakha Kukava, a leader of the Conservative party in his interview with GeorgiaTimes.

Georgia despises country-in-a-case image 2009-11-30 23:25 Kviris Palitra, an opposition newspaper in Georgia asserts that almost half of Georgian citizens condemn checkpoint opening on Russian-Georgian border. Only 16% respondents said yes, as the poll results show. Independent parliamentary deputy, Kartuli Darsi party leader Jondi Bagaturia (see photo) comments on Upper Lars-Kazbegi checkpoint issues for GeorgiaTimes.

Georgia and CIS: Unfinished Affair? 2009-11-27 16:51 At the heart of the Georgian external politics of the latest years there are some paradoxes that are difficult to explain. How did they manage to destroy the centuries-old good neighbourly relations, and why are mutual confidence perspectives hazy? The situation of Georgia’s withdrawal from the CIS was ridiculous. Saakashvili declared this officially last August. The official divorce with the Commonwealth was registered a year later. But so far Georgia remains a member of the Inter-Parliament Assembly of the Commonwealth of Independent States. The GeorgiaTimes correspondent looked into the twists and turns of the Georgian relations with the CIS.