The Georgia’s parliament will return to work on constitutional amendments in the current week.Changes to the legislative body will be initiated. It concerns to those points that should be reflected in the newly adopted Constitution, including the fully abolition of the bonus system of undistributed mandates and allowing the blocs for the 2020 parliamentary elections. The ruling team decided to initiate regarding changes on the basis of the recommendations of the Venice Commission, but the decision was taken when the new Constitution draft had already been adopted through 2 hearings. Consequently, these changes will be initiated separately.

The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway will be activated. Today the first train will run on the railway line.The official opening ceremony will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan.  Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi kvirikashvili will attend the ceremony.President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev invited the Head of the Government of Georgia to the event. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev and Uzbekistan Prime Minister Abdullah Arypov will also take part in the official opening ceremony.The implementation of Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project started in 2007. Within the project, Tbilisi-Akhalkalaki section of the railway was rehabilitated.  A new 29-kilometer section from Akhalkalaki to Turkish border was constructed. Passenger Trains for Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway is planned to be launched from 2018.

The Georgia’s parliament will return to work on constitutional amendments from the next week.Changes to the legislative body will be initiated. It concerns to those points that should be reflected in the newly adopted Constitution, including the fully abolition of the bonus system of undistributed mandates and allowing the blocs for the 2020 parliamentary elections. The ruling team decided to initiate regarding changes on the basis of the recommendations of the Venice Commission, but the decision was taken when the new Constitution draft had already been adopted through 2 hearings. Consequently, these changes will be initiated separately.

Members of Labor Party held a protest at former military territory in Avlabari district of Tbilisi this afternoon. Shalva Natelashvili, Labor Party Leader claimed that the territory was handed over to Kakha Kaladze, newly elected Tbilisi Mayor, during the rule of former authorities at symbolic price and is now owned by Kaladze. Labor Party Leader called on voters to demand return of the territory to the city government. 

Zurab Alavidze, Georgian Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure is visiting Tajikistan.  He is participating in the 16th Ministerial of Central Asian Regional Economic Cooperation. Alavidze gave a speech and talked about Georgia’s transit potential and importance of regional cooperation. Alavidze also met with head persons of Asian Development Bank and Japanese International Cooperation Agency within the framework of the visit. Ongoing and planned infrastructure projects for 2017-2020 and cooperation with international financial institutions were discussed during the meetings. 

Mikheil Janelidze, Georgian Foreign Minister and Vice Prime Minister took part in the event dedicated to National Day of Austria. In a speech he delivered, Janelidze wished Austrians peace, stability and welfare. He thanked Austrian authorities for support to Georgia’s territorial integrity and state sovereignty and for cooperation with the Georgian side in multiple formats. 

The Tbilisi City Court did not satisfy the complaint of Democratic Movement about recount of votes in Gldani Election Constituency. Kakha Kukava, former candidate for post of Tbilisi Mayor running in October 21 local self-governance elections representing Democratic Movement alleged that protocols were corrected in the Constituency. 

Georgia expresses its support for Spain's territorial integrity, - Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili says. "Georgia strongly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our friend and partner - Spain”, - Kvirikashvili has tweeted.The parliament of Catalonia has voted to declare independence from Spain yesterday. 70 legislators voted in favor and 10 voted against. The decision was made during a secret vote.The Spanish Government moved to impose direct rule over Catalonia, stripping the region of its autonomy less than an hour after its Parliament declared independence in a stunning show of defiance. The Spanish Government dissolved the Catalonian parliament and announced new elections. 

Representatives of United National Movement (UNM) Party and European Georgia demand summing of Giorgi Mghebrishvili, Minister of Internal Affairs (MIA) to the parliament.Minister is called to provide explanations regarding the October 25 incident at Nutsubidze Descend in Tbilisi. The ruling team accuses minority for trying to stage political show. Results of the expertise on corpse of Paata Pavliashvili, 34, who died during the incident at Nutsubidze Descend on October 25, will become known in 45 days. 

The Georgian government will begin a project for rehabilitation of internal roads, Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili reported during the governmental sitting today. According to PM, the project will create new job places aside of roads’ reconstruction. South Korean company, which won in the tender, will present the detailed plan in 6 months. 

Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili appointed Giorgi Sharvashidze as a new deputy foreign minister today. Sharvashidze will head the economic diplomacy department at the ministry.Sharvashidze has rich experience in cooperating with leading international companies, especially with those from Asia.From 2006 to the present he worked in private companies as well as in different state departments and non-governmental organizations.He holds Master’s degrees in international management from the ICN Business School in France and UNICATT in Italy. He also has a Business Administration Master’s degree from the East China University of Science and Technology. He also graduated from the faculty of international law and international relations at Tbilisi State University.Sharvashidze will take over the post from December 1, 2017. A new deputy foreign minister was appointed after the previous deputy minister Davit Jalagania became Georgia’s new ambassador to Switzerland.

The Georgian government has been working on establishment of the Abkhazian Language Protection and Development State Program, - Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili stated during the governmental sitting. He has congratulated October 27 – The Day of Abkhazian Language on all, especially Abkhazian brothers and sisters. “I would like to raise an initiative. We are working on creation of the Abkhazian Language Protection and Development State Program. From our point of view, the program will be a very significant basis in terms of confidence restoration. It envisages diverse events and measures. The relevant funds will be allocated and I believe the society will be intensively involved in the program implementation. I believe our comprehensive and frank attitude to the Abkhazian language and culture will be very important in terms of restoration the burnt bridges between us that are of utmost significance,” Kvirikashvili claimed. 

Spain recognizes Georgia’s breakaway Tskhinvali region as an integral part of Georgia, - Georgia’s Foreign Ministry reports. According to the agency, the Spanish Foreign Ministry has released a statement on media reports regarding establishment of so-called mission of the Tskhinvali occupation regime in Barcelona. According to the statement the Tskhinvali region is an integral part of Georgia. The region is not recognized by international community. Therefore it cannot be allowed to open any office or mission. ‘Like the rest of the EU countries, Spain also perceives ‘South Ossetia’ as Georgia’s integral part. ‘South Ossetia’ is not recognized by almost any of the UN member countries. This is a de-facto unit, not authorized to have any missions or offices in EU and international community countries. Spain confirms full support to Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders,’ reads the statement released by Spain’s Foreign Ministry. 

“Georgian Parliament will do its best to further enhance relations between Georgia and Israel”, - the Speaker, Irakli Kobakhidze stated at the official dinner hosted on behalf of the Speaker of the Knesset, Mr. Edelstein.According to Kobakhidze, the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Israel is celebrated against the background of close cooperation. “We celebrate the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Israel, which is a very important date and we are glad that it is accompanied with the background of close cooperation. Moreover, we are linked not only with diplomatic relations but with 26 centuries of friendship between our people. We shall be as successful in friendship and cooperation as Georgian and Jewish people are. We cherish particular emotions to Jewish people and Israel and every person arriving from Israel to Georgia can confirm it”, - he stated.He spoke about strategic cooperation between the countries and underlined importance of Parliamentary dimension. “Strategic cooperation between our countries and Parliaments is very important for us. Parliamentary dimension of cooperation is of particular importance. We do already enjoy close cooperation but there are perspectives to further enhance our cooperation between our Parliaments and Staffs. The Staffs have already established close cooperation and jointly implemented projects. Historical links are strong and on this basis our cooperation shall be further intensified. We will do our best for it. Georgia is strongly motivated and we believe that you are also committed. This visit is another contribution. We believe in cooperation between our countries.Recently, Georgian Prime Minister served a very important visit to Israel and earlier the President of Israel visited Georgia. Such high rank visits play important role in enhancement of cooperation. Today’s event is another contribution in this direction and we believe that we shall facilitate to further enhancement of friendship between our people. Georgian Parliament will do its best to ensure it”.The Speaker emphasized importance of bilateral relations and Parliamentary cooperation. “We celebrate the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations. It is not another formal day. It is the celebration. We do not need to remind each other that during Soviet regime, our countries kept close links and even now, these 25 years were a long path. It is important to intensify the exchange visits of the Parliamentary Delegations – Friendship Groups and Committees.

Tamaz Mechiauri, Leader of “For United Georgia Party” won in Mayoral elections in Tianeti in October 21 local self-governance elections with one vote. Mtskheta Regional Court partially satisfied the lawsuit of International Center of Democratic Initiatives organization. The decree of Election Constituency, which ascribed void election bulletins to Lela Kitesashvili, mayoral candidate of ruling Georgian Dream Party, was annulled. The court discussed the complaint on October 24 and made the decision today. Mechiauri filed a complaint in Mtskheta Court and demanded annulations of the decision made by Regional Election Constituency, namely declaration of 5 votes ascribed to Georgian Dream candidate as null and void. The commission earlier declared that the candidate of the ruling party won in the elections with 4 votes. The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) defended interests of Mechiauri in the election related dispute. Mechiauri thanked GYLA for its work. Lela Kitesashvili, candidate of Georgian Dream plans to continue legal struggle. However, it is not yet known whether the decision of Mtskheta Court will be complained in Appeals Court. Zakaria Kutsnashvili, a member of the parliamentary majority said that Kitesashvili is being stolen her victory with the decision. Mechiauri is celebrating victory. He set a table on a car symbolically this afternoon together in Bulachauri center with his supporters. 

Irma Inashvili, Leader of Patriots’ Alliance plans to go on hunger strike and hold protests. Inashvili accuses the government of falsification of October 21 local self-governance elections. She is also scheduled to file complaints over all summarizing protocols from polling stations. 

Shalva Natelashvili, Leader of Labor Party prognosticates further depreciation of Georgian national currency Lari. Natelashvili says that 1 USD will cost 3 GEL in the nearest future and this will have effect on fees for communal services. Labor Party Leader links the latest depreciation to a deal between parties, which won in local elections, and bankers.  

Kakha Kaladze, newly elected Mayor of Tbilisi held a meeting with members representing the majority of Sakrebulo (City Assembly). Cooperation and teamwork related issues were discussed during the meeting. Tbilisi Mayor called on members of Sakrebulo for active relations with the population for timely resolution of their problems. Kaladze agreed with the working agenda how the new team will present itself before Sakrebulo. He also plans to hold a meeting with international financial organizations and representatives of the central authorities. 

The parliamentary Health and Social Affairs Committee today discussed the legislative initiative On State Pension presented by the political platform New Georgia and turned it down.  New Georgia Party applied to the parliament with the initiative to equalize the pension age of a man and a woman at 60. The party has already filed a complaint in that regard in Constitutional Court. 

The Mtskheta Regional Court decided that Tamaz Mechiauri, Leader of For United Georgia Party won in Mayoral elections in Tianeti in October 21 local self-governance elections. He won the elections with one vote. Mechiauri filed a complaint in Mtskheta Court and demanded annulations of the decision made by Regional Election Constituency, namely declaration of 5 votes ascribed to Georgian Dream candidate as null and void. The commission declared that the candidate of the ruling party won in the elections with 4 votes. The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) defended interests of Tianeti mayoral candidate. Mechiauri thanked GYLA for its work.