The Press Speaker of the President of Georgia summarized the past week’s events and spoke about future plans during her traditional briefing on Tuesday.
Manana Manjaladze started the briefing with the major issue of the week, the annual address of the President at the Parliament of Georgia.
“The President spoke about many issues, including one of the most important challenges, employment. Many projects are planned in this direction such as investment influx, construction of new clinics, hydro electric power plants, and infrastructural projects. The number of employed people in each sector will reach tens of thousands. Specifically, 13 thousand people will be employed at the construction of hydro electric power plants alone” – stated Manana Manjgaladze.
The Press Speaker drew attention to one other initiative of Mikheil Saakashvili, related to the demographic situation of Georgia. With the initiative of the President, beginning on January 1, 2013 each family will receive 1000 GEL after having a third child born, and 2000 GEL after their fourth and each new child is born. Based on the current statistics the initiative will cost 15-20 million GEL. This initiative of the President, also envisions giving a full insurance package to children up to the age of 18 in families with 4 or more children.
According to Manana Manjgaladze, the healthcare sphere remains a priority for the country and coupled with 130 newly-opened clinics, a new program will be implemented to have practically every citizen insured beginning in 2012. The current number is up to 2.5 million. The program envisions providing insurance for children and the elderly.
The President’s Press Speaker spoke about one more important issue, the ongoing projects in the education sphere.
“When we are talking about the education sphere, the Batumi Technological University has to be noted. 23 new schools will be opened in Georgia, more than 600 renovated, teacher salaries will increase, computerization of schools will continue, they will be equipped with new labs and technologies. Special attention will be given to the profession of teaching. The state is planning financial assistance in this direction” – noted Manana Manjgaladze.
The Press Speaker also spoke about the agriculture development issues and noted that 12 mechanization centers have been opened. From June 2012, these centers will have 563 tractors, 50 combines, 1,470 additional ploughs in total. According to her, all of this will be accessible for the farmers.
Manana Manjgaladze focused attention on the initiative of the President, which he introduced during his address at the Parliament. This initiative envisions unilaterally abolishing the visa regime for the citizens of Russia.
“The initiative became formal within several hours of its announcement and according to the current data; up to 2,500 citizens of Russia have already crossed the border of Georgia without visas since February 29. It is unfortunate that the reaction of the Russian Federation was once again inadequate” – stated the Press Speaker.
At the end of the briefing, Manana Manjgaladze touched on the issue of the visit of the President of Georgia to Azerbaijan.
“The visit will begin today, within the scope of which the meeting of the President with the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev is planned. The two Presidents will hold a joint press conference after their meeting. Mikheil Saakashvili will meet with the Prime Minister of Azerbaijan during his second day of the official visit to Azerbaijan. Additionally, the President is scheduled to address the highest legislature of Azerbaijan” – stated the Press Speaker.