PM: Developing connectivity and transit is priority

“On the first day, a gala dinner of the International Olympic Committee was held, attended by the presidents of national Olympic committees and various world leaders. It was a large-scale event, giving us the opportunity to interact. After the initial greetings, Marco Rubio greeted me, followed by JD Vance , with whom I had a short, warm, and sincere conversation,” President of Georgia Mikheil Kavelashvili said on the program Imedi Kvira.Kavelashvili noted that the U.S. Vice President spoke warmly about Georgia and even mentioned the Patriarch.“He spoke very warmly about our country, and I was surprised by how much he knew—specifically, that we are a Christian nation with a strong sense of tradition. He even mentioned the Patriarch. He also noted that the Day of Prayer, celebrated on May 17, was established quite recently. When we informed him that ten years ago, on May 17, the Patriarch declared it the Day of Family Purity in Georgia, he was very pleased. It was a sincere and warm interaction, and I believe the public could see that in the photos. When we discuss family values and traditions, especially Christian values, we Georgians take pride in our long Christian history. We also mentioned that we are celebrating 1,700 years of Christianity this year, with major events planned, which delighted him,” Kavelashvili said.The President added that he had a brief business conversation with JD Vance, who is informed about Georgia and indicated that relations would be renewed.“A short business conversation was held. He confirmed that they are informed about developments in Georgia, and that closer relations will definitely be renewed. He noted that many processes are underway globally, and they are receiving additional information. They will certainly work to renew relations with us,” Kavelashvili said.

At the Winter Olympic Games taking place in Milan and Cortina, Nika Egadze performed his free programme in the men’s singles. The judges awarded him 154.79 points.Before Nika’s performance, the Georgian team had 50 points and sat in fourth position in the team standings. To secure a medal, they needed to overturn a two-point deficit behind third-placed Italy, but an impressive performance by Italian skater Matteo Rizzo prevented Nika from overtaking him. Consequently, Georgia finished fourth in the figure skating team competition, very close to claiming the bronze medal.For reference, the team event consists of four disciplines: ice dance, in which the Davis-Smolkin pair competed (7 points); pairs skating – the Metelkina-Berulava pair (9 points); women’s singles – Gubanova (9 points); and men’s singles – Egadze (6 points).The final standings in the figure skating team event were as follows:USA (69 points) Japan (68 points) Italy (60 points) Georgia (56 points) Canada (54 points)

Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili discussed his meetings with US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio during the opening days of the Winter Olympics, describing the interactions as warm, sincere, and productive.“On the first day, there was a gala dinner of the International Olympic Committee, attended by Olympic Committee presidents and world leaders. It was a large-scale event, and we had the opportunity to talk. It was nice to be greeted by Marco Rubio and JD Vance. We had a small, warm, sincere, and positive conversation. The Vice President spoke very warmly about our country, and I was surprised by how much he knew—specifically, that we are a Christian nation with a strong sense of tradition. He even mentioned the Patriarch. He also noted that the Day of Prayer, celebrated on May 17, was established quite recently. When we informed him that ten years ago, on May 17, the Patriarch declared it the Day of Family Purity in Georgia, he was very pleased. It was a sincere and warm interaction, and I believe the public could see that in the photos. When we discuss family values and traditions, especially Christian values, we Georgians take pride in our long Christian history. We also mentioned that we are celebrating 1,700 years of Christianity this year, with major events planned, which delighted him.A short business conversation was held. He confirmed that they are informed about developments in Georgia, and that closer relations will definitely be renewed. He noted that many processes are underway globally, and they are receiving additional information. They will certainly work to renew relations with us,” Kavelashvili said in an interview with Imedi Kvira Program.During a separate meeting with Secretary Rubio at a ceremonial reception hosted by the Italian President, Kavelashvili said the conversation was more in-depth and focused on bilateral relations. Kavelashvili said Rubio acknowledged that the previous US administration had shown significant negativity toward Georgia, which was now recognized as inappropriate.“This was during a ceremonial reception hosted by the Italian President, where we had more space and time to talk. Secretary Rubio stayed with us longer, and the conversation was more in-depth and businesslike. He emphasized that the previous administration was the source of the greatest negativity toward Georgia, which they now recognize as inappropriate. They have analyzed the situation and are taking steps to address it, preparing to establish proper relations with our country,” Kavelashvili said.“We are open and transparent with the public: our goal is to maintain normal, healthy relations with our partners. The US is particularly important as a major global power. We discussed how deliberate actions from the previous administration have caused challenges that still need to be addressed. Rubio told us they will take the time to analyze everything and establish appropriate relations with Georgia. A technical group will also be prepared so that relations can start from a clean slate,” Kavelashvili said.

Today marks the Foundation Day of Tbilisi State University, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said. According to the head of government, the date serves as a reminder of the responsibility to restore the university’s status as the country’s leading academic institution. “Today marks the Foundation Day of Tbilisi State University. This day reminds us of our responsibility to return the university to the role of a mother institution, as envisioned by Ivane Javakhishvili and his great associates,” the Prime Minister said.

WARSAW, Feb 5 (Reuters) - The U.S. ambassador in Warsaw cut off contact with Poland's parliament speaker on Thursday, accusing him of insulting Donald Trump after he criticised the president's policies and declined to support his Nobel Peace Prize ambitions. Ambassador Tom Rose's furious response to Parliament Speaker Wlodzimierz Czarzasty underlined the precarious balancing act politicians from Poland's pro-European coalition government face in keeping their most important ally onside while Trump is pursuing "America First" policies many of them find unnerving.