Friday, March 20, 2026

Why do many Georgians give their property to the state?

Anzor Kokoladze, the founder of one of Georgia’s most successful electronics chains, Elit Electronics, accuses the authorities of having conspired to take it over. He claims a bank, the prosecutor, the Tbilisi mayor, and a court cooperated on the scheme. Kikodze is currently in jail serving an eigth year term for failure to service a debt, a sentence upheld by the Supreme Court. (Photo: Interpressnews.)

TBILISI, DFWatch – There are many reports in Georgia these days of deprivation of property rights. People abandon their property or donate it to the government right after registering it at the Public Registry, and later refuse to speak about their reasons.

The founder

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Russia concerned over Georgia's NATO aspirations

Russia's foreign minister Sergey Lavrov is concerned that Saakashvili might go on more adventures. (Official photo.)

TBILISI, DFWatch – Russia’s foreign minister Sergey Lavrov says it causes confusion and apprehension for his country that Georgia continues to be a candidate for NATO membership.

Lavrov said this after a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council Thursday.

“Now, NATO

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Tax incentive for Georgians living near the conflict zone

The village Dvani, on the de facto border with South Ossetia, is one of the places likely to be exempted from property tax. (Photo: Interpressnews.)

TBILISI, DFWatch – Property close to the occupied territories of Georgia are to be exempted from property tax.

The government proposes to amend the tax code so that land which is owned by a person or property lands that are located near the occupied territories,

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Seeds of prosperity between Georgia and Armenia?

Half of Georgia's population is involed in agriculture, but mostly as subsistence farmers and the sector only accounts for 9% of GDP. How to make it into more of a business was discussed in Tbilisi Thursday. (Photo: Mari Nikuradze.)

TBILISI, DFWatch – How can Armenia and Georgia create more growth – literally – in their border region? Agriculture was the topic of a conference Thursday at Courtyard Marriott Hotel in Tbilisi.

The goal was to exchange information on local planning and

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German-Georgian relations reaffirmed in Tbilisi

Cornelia Pieper, Germany's deputy foreign minister, is happy to see the progress in talks about a Georgian association agreement with the EU. (Photo: Interpressnews.)

TBILISI, DFWatch – Germany is satisfied with how the negotiations between Georgia and the EU are going, to work out an association agreement.

Cornelia Pieper, Germany’s Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, said this after a meeting with her Georgian colleague.

Pieper

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