Country file Georgia

Country of Origin Information

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within the National Program
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OCTOBER
2018

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 Note

This file has been translated and compiled in accordance with „Common EU Guidelines for
processing Country of Origin Information (2008) and „EASO Country of Origin Information
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reports and profile information and also press articles.

All information presented, concerning obvious facts, has been corroboratedly verified, excepting
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reasonable amount of time. Nonetheless, this document does not claim to be an exhaustive one,
in order to treat completely the humanitarian issue in the country of origin.

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Romanian National Council for Refugees

Editorial committee
Title: Georgia Political Map
Source: Maps of the World, Maps of Georgia1

1
Maps of the World, Maps of Georgia, available at: http://www.maps-of-the-world.net/maps-of-asia/maps-of-
georgia/, accessed on 05.11.2018
Contents

General Presentation ................................................................................................................ 4

Geography ................................................................................................................................. 5
Population and Society ............................................................................................................. 6
Government and Administration ............................................................................................ 7
Economy..................................................................................................................................... 8
Security ...................................................................................................................................... 9
Annexes .................................................................................................................................... 10
Georgian banknote.............................................................................................................. 10
Exchange rates .................................................................................................................... 10
Georgian passport ............................................................................................................... 11
Georgian flag ....................................................................................................................... 11
General Presentation

Situated at the strategically important crossroads where Europe meets Asia, Georgia has a unique
and ancient cultural heritage, and is famed for its traditions of hospitality and cuisine.2

Georgia is a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia at the border of Western Asia and Eastern
Europe. Georgia is bordered by the Black Sea, Russia, Turkey, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. In
2018, Georgia's population is estimated at 3.91 million, which ranks 126th in the world.3

The roots of the Georgian people extend deep in history; their cultural heritage is equally ancient
and rich. During the medieval period a powerful Georgian kingdom existed, reaching its height
between the 10th and 13th centuries. After a long period of Turkish and Persian domination,
Georgia was annexed by the Russian Empire in the 19th century.4

An independent Georgian state existed from 1918 to 1921, when it was incorporated into the
Soviet Union. In 1936 Georgia became a constituent (union) republic and continued as such until
the collapse of the Soviet Union. During the Soviet period the Georgian economy was
modernized and diversified. One of the most independence-minded republics, Georgia declared
sovereignty on November 19, 1989, and independence on April 9, 1991.5

The 1990s were a period of instability and civil unrest in Georgia, as the first post-independence
government was overthrown and separatist movements emerged in South Ossetia and Abkhazia.6

Russia invaded Georgia in 2008 and still occupies its South Ossetia and Abkhazia regions—
about 20 percent of the country’s territory. In 2012, billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili’s Georgian
Dream coalition defeated President Mikheil Saakashvili’s United National Movement. Prime
Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili and Georgian Dream’s victory in the 2016 parliamentary elections
reinforced the coalition’s political dominance.7

Georgia has been affected by the regional economic downturn. Agriculture and related industries
employ over half of the workforce. Georgia signed an Association Agreement with the European
Union in 2014 and is firmly committed to Euro-Atlantic integration and to securing visa-free
travel to the Schengen Area in 2017.8

2
BBC, Country Profile. Georgia, last updated March 2018, available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-
17301647, accessed on 11.10.2018
3
World Population Review, Georgia Population 2018, available at:
http://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/georgia-population/, accessed on 11.10.2018
4
Encyclopedia Britannica, Georgia, available at: https://www.britannica.com/place/Georgia, accessed on 11.10.2018
5
Encyclopedia Britannica, Georgia, see note 4 above
6
Encyclopedia Britannica, Georgia, see note 4 above
7
Georgia, 2018 Index of Economic Freedom, available at: https://www.heritage.org/index/country/georgia, accessed
on 11.10.2018
8
Georgia, 2018 Index of Economic Freedom, see note 7 above
Geography

Georgia is situated in south-western Asia, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and Russia.
It covers a total area of 69,700 sq km, which is all land. Georgia borders Armenia (164 km),
Azerbaijan (322 km), Russia (723 km) and Turkey (252 km).9 Georgia views itself as part of
Europe; geopolitically, it can be classified as falling within Europe, the Middle East, or both. 10

With the notable exception of the fertile plain of the Kolkhida Lowland—ancient Colchis, where
the legendary Argonauts sought the Golden Fleece—the Georgian terrain is largely mountainous,
and more than a third is covered by forest or brushwood. There is a remarkable variety of
landscape, ranging from the subtropical Black Sea shores to the ice and snow of the crest line of
the Caucasus. Such contrasts are made more noteworthy by the country’s relatively small area. 11

According to the World Factbook, Georgia’s terrain is largely mountainous with Great Caucasus
Mountains in the north and Lesser Caucasus Mountains in the south; Kolkhet'is Dablobi
(Kolkhida Lowland) opens to the Black Sea in the west; Mtkvari River Basin in the east; fertile
soils in river valley flood plains and foothills of Kolkhida Lowland.12 Krubera Cave in the
western part of the country is the deepest-known cave in the world; at -2,197 m it is the only
known cave on earth deeper than 2,000 m.13

Climate: The Caucasian barrier protects Georgia from cold air intrusions from the north, while
the country is open to the constant influence of warm, moist air from the Black Sea. Western
Georgia has a humid subtropical, maritime climate, while eastern Georgia has a range of climate
varying from moderately humid to a dry subtropical type.14

Georgia’s location and its diverse terrain have given rise to a remarkable variety of landscapes.
The luxuriant vegetation of the moist, subtropical Black Sea shores is relatively close to the
eternal snows of the mountain peaks. Deep gorges and swift rivers give way to dry steppes, and
the green of alpine meadows alternates with the darker hues of forested valleys.15

Natural resources: timber, hydropower, manganese deposits, iron ore, copper, minor coal and oil
deposits; coastal climate and soils allow for important tea and citrus growth.16

Current environmental issues: air pollution, particularly in Rust'avi; heavy water pollution of
Mtkvari River and the Black Sea; inadequate supplies of potable water; soil pollution from toxic
chemicals; land and forest degradation; biodiversity loss; waste management.17

9
Georgia. Country of Information Key Documents. Home Office building safe, just and tolerant society, 17.01.2007,
available at:
http://www.refworld.org/cgibin/texis/vtx/rwmain?page=search&docid=471338ee0&skip=0&query=georgia%20cou
ntry%20profile, accessed on 11.10.2018
10
CIA – Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook. Middle East: Georgia, available at:
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gg.html, accessed on 11.10.2018
11
Encyclopedia Britannica, Georgia, see note 4 above
12
CIA – Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook. Middle East: Georgia, see note 7 above
13
CIA – Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook. Middle East: Georgia, see note 7 above
14
Encyclopedia Britannica, Georgia, see note 4 above
15
Encyclopedia Britannica, Georgia, see note 4 above
16
CIA – Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook. Middle East: Georgia, see note 7 above
17
CIA – Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook. Middle East: Georgia, see note 7 above
Population and Society

The likelihood is great that the Georgians, whose name for themselves is Kartveli (“Georgian”
derived from the Persian name for them, Gorj), have always lived in this region, known to them
as Sakartvelo. Ethnically, contemporary Georgia is not homogeneous but reflects the
intermixtures and successions of the Caucasus region. About four-fifths of the people are
Georgians; the rest are Armenians, Russians, Azerbaijanis, and, in smaller numbers, Ossetes,
Greeks, Abkhazians, and others.18

The official language is Georgian, a member of the South Caucasian (Kartavelian) language
group. While Georgian is used by over 90 per cent of the population, according to Ethnologue
Languages of the World, there are twelve other languages spoken in Georgia, of which the main
ones are Abkhaz (Abkhazian), North Azerbaijani, Northern Kurdish, Mingrelian, Osetin and
Urum. Article 8 of the Constitution provides that Abkhazia has two official languages,
Abkhazian and Georgian.19

Many Georgians are members of the Georgian Orthodox Church, an autocephalous Eastern
Orthodox Church.20 The Georgian Orthodox Church is one of the oldest Christian churches in
the world. Other major religions include Armenian Christians (4%), Muslims (10%), and Roman
Catholics (0.8%).21

During the Soviet period the Georgian population increased, with a marked trend toward
urbanization. More than half the population now lives in cities. Further, a considerable portion of
the population that is defined as rural is in fact engaged in the urban economy of nearby cities.
There also was a significant shift in the distribution of the population to urban centres in recent
years, as the rural population has decreased by about one-fourth since the beginning of the 21st
century. Enterprises for primary processing of agricultural products have been constructed in the
villages, while ore-processing plants and light industry also are increasing in number. As a result,
many of the slow-paced traditional villages have developed into distinctly modern
communities.22

The level of education is relatively high. Tbilisi University was founded in 1918; the Academy
of Sciences (founded 1941) is made up of several scientific institutions, which conduct research
throughout the republic. Georgia has an extensive library system.23

The population of Georgia is aging. The birth rate is below the global average, while the death
rate is above the world’s average. About one-fifth of the population is under age 15, and two-
fifths are under 30, while another two-fifths are age 45 or older. Life expectancy is about 72
years for men and 81 years for women.24

18
Encyclopedia Britannica, Georgia, see note 4 above
19
Republic of Georgia. Country of Origin Information Service. Home Office UK Border Agency, 25.05.2010,
availableathttp://www.refworld.org/cgibin/texis/vtx/rwmain?page=search&docid=4cf4ac622&skip=0&query=georg
ia%20country%20profile, accessed on 25.09.2018
20
Encyclopedia Britannica, Georgia, see note 4 above
21
Republic of Georgia. Country of Origin Information Service. Home Office UK Border Agency, 25.05.2010, see
note 19 above
22
Encyclopedia Britannica, Georgia, see note 4 above
23
Encyclopedia Britannica, Georgia, see note 4 above
24
Encyclopedia Britannica, Georgia, see note 4 above
Government and Administration

The Georgian Constitution was adopted by the Parliament on 17 November 1995. It establishes a
system of government based on the US model of division of powers between a strong executive
led by a President, a powerful Parliament, and an independent judiciary.25

Georgia is a unitary multiparty republic. Under the 1995 constitution the president was given
extensive powers, but those were significantly reduced by constitutional amendments enacted in
2013 that expanded the role of the prime minister and the cabinet. Up through the presidential
election of 2018, the president was elected to a maximum of two five-year terms by direct
universal suffrage. Beginning in 2024, the president will be elected by an electoral college of 300
lawmakers and representatives.26 The chief of state is President Giorgi MARGVELASHVILI
(since 17 November 2013), the head of the government is Prime Minister Mamuka
BAKHTADZE (since 20 June 2018) and the Deputy Prime Minister is Giorgi GAKHARIA.27

The legislative branch of government is made up of the Parliament of Georgia, a unicameral

legislative body. Parliament consists of 150 members, which are elected by the general
population to serve 4-year terms. Currently, the Georgian Dream political party holds majority
representation in Parliament with 115 seats. This party is supported by the Industry Will Save
Georgia party (1 seat) and opposed by 4 parties: European Georgia (21 seats), United National
Movement (6 seats), Alliance of Patriots of Georgia (6 seats), and the Independent party (1
seat).28

The legal system is based on the civil law system. The Constitutional Court oversees the
conformity of laws and judicial proceedings with the Constitution, and the court of highest
instance is the Supreme Court, whose members are elected by the Supreme Council upon
recommendation by the president.29

EU- Georgia Relations: The EU cooperates with Georgia in the framework of the European
Neighbourhood Policy and its eastern regional dimension, the Eastern Partnership. (...) Georgia
is a key transit country between Europe and Asia. Georgia takes part in large regional
programmes on transport safety and transport connectivity, environment, climate change and
green economy, energy security, renewable energy and energy efficiency, etc. Visa liberalisation
for Georgian citizens entered into force on 28 March 2017.30

Georgia became a member of the United Nations in 1992 and joined the Commonwealth of
Independent States (CIS) in 1993; following hostilities with Russia in August 2008, Georgia
withdrew from the CIS a year later.31

25
Division for Public Administration and Development Management (DPADM) Department of Economic and
Social Affairs (DESA) United Nations, Georgia – Public Administration Country Profile, February 2004, available
at: http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/un/unpan023176.pdf accessed on 25.09.2018
26
Encyclopedia Britannica, Georgia, see note 4 above
27
CIA – Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook. Middle East: Georgia, see note 7 above
28
World Atlas, What Type Of Government Does Georgia Have?, available at:
https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-type-of-government-does-georgia-have.html, accessed on 25.09.2018
29
DPADM, Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) United Nations, Georgia – Public Administration
Country Profile, February 2004,see note 24 above
30
European Commission, European Neighbourhood Policy And Enlargement Negotiations – Georgia, see note 26
above
31
Encyclopedia Britannica, Georgia, see note 4 above
Economy

The Georgian economy includes diversified and mechanized agriculture alongside a well-
developed industrial base. Agriculture accounts for about half of the gross domestic product and
employs about one-fourth of the labour force; the industry and service sectors each employ about
one-fifth of the labour force.32

After independence the Georgian economy contracted sharply because of political instability
(which discouraged foreign investment), the loss of favourable trading relationships with the
states of the former Soviet Union, and the civil unrest in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, where key
pipelines and transport links were sabotaged or blockaded. Georgia sought to transform its
command economy into one organized on market principles: prices were liberalized, the banking
system reformed, and some state enterprises and retail establishments privatized.33

Over the past decade, the economy has grown robustly at an average annual rate of 4.5%. Deep
reforms in economic management and governance have earned Georgia a reputation of “star
reformer.” To bolster the private sector, Georgia has introduced rules and regulations that make
it easier to do business, and the country’s international ratings on governance and the investment
climate have soared. The Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area agreement with the
European Union (EU) and the Free Trade Agreement with China are expected to boost trade
integration. Moreover, energy, tourism, and agribusiness can potentially help to integrate the
country further into the regional and global economies.34

Georgia's main economic activities include cultivation of agricultural products such as grapes,
citrus fruits, and hazelnuts; mining of manganese, copper, and gold; and producing alcoholic and
non-alcoholic beverages, metals, machinery, and chemicals in small-scale industries. The
country imports nearly all of its needed supplies of natural gas and oil products.35

The European Commission conducts regular analysis on macroeconomic and financial

developments in Georgia and holds regular discussions with national authorities about economic
policies. Moreover, Georgia benefits from an EU macro financial assistance programme. On 29
September 2017, the European Commission proposed a new Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA)
programme to Georgia of up to EUR 45 million. This regime increases market access between
the EU and Georgia based on having better-matched regulations.36

Georgia has been a member of the World Trade Organisation since 2000. The key EU imports
from Georgia include mineral products, agricultural products, base metals and chemical
products. The EU imported goods to the value of €551 million from Georgia in 2016.37

32
Encyclopedia Britannica, Georgia, see note 4 above
33
Encyclopedia Britannica, Georgia, see note 4 above
34
World Bank, Georgia, available at: https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/georgia/overview, accessed on
25.09.2018
35
CIA – Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook. Middle East: Georgia, see note 7 above
36
European Commission, European Neighbourhood Policy And Enlargement Negotiations – Georgia, see note 26
above
37
European Commission, European Neighbourhood Policy And Enlargement Negotiations – Georgia, see note 26
above
Security

In the early years of independence Georgia’s armed forces were divided, but they were gradually
becoming unified by the mid-1990s. The primary state military organization is the National
Guard; paramilitary groups also are present. A two-year period of military service is compulsory
for adult men, though draft evasion is widespread. Substantial numbers of Russian troops remain
on Georgian territory.38

The Ministry of Internal Affairs oversees the regular police force. Crime rates in Georgia
increased after independence because of the social dislocations resulting from the conflicts in
Abkhazia and South Ossetia, a lack of civil authority in parts of the country, and regional
instability caused by the war in Nagorno-Karabakh.39

Executive control has been strengthened through the amalgamation of all security forces under
just two civilian ministries directly responsible to the president - Defence (army, air force, navy)
and the Interior (police, border police, rapid reaction forces). The large and ineffective Ministry
of the Interior force has been merged into the army, the historically unreliable National Guard
has been reduced to mainly ceremonial duties and many members of the notoriously corrupt
police force have been dismissed.40

The World Police Encyclopaedia, published in 2006, noted that the “Ministry of Internal Affairs
and the Prosecutor General’s Office have primary responsibility for law enforcement, and the
Ministry of State Security plays a significant role in internal security.” Reforms implemented
after 2004 included “the establishment of a municipal police on the basis of regional and patrol
units” and “harmonizing the number of personnel of the Ministry of Internal Affairs with
European standards (one police officer per 240 to 400 citizens in developed countries.)” As of
2006, there was a ratio of one police officer to 214 citizens in Georgia.41

Military expenditures: Georgian Armed Forces: Land Forces (include Air and Air Defence
Forces); separatist Abkhazia Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Air Forces; separatist South Ossetia
Armed Forces (2015).42

Georgia does not have any military stationed in the separatist territories of Abkhazia and South
Ossetia, but large numbers of Russian servicemen have been stationed in these regions since the
2008 Russia-Georgia War.43

38
Encyclopedia Britannica, Georgia, see note 4 above
39
Encyclopedia Britannica, Georgia, see note 4 above
40
Home Office UK Border Agency, Republic of Georgia. Country of Origin Information Service, 25.05.2010,
available at:
http://www.refworld.org/cgibin/texis/vtx/rwmain?page=search&docid=4cf4ac622&skip=0&query=georgia%20coun
try%20profile, accessed on 25.09.2018
41
Republic of Georgia. Country of Origin Information Service. Home Office UK Border Agency, 25.05.2010,
available at:
http://www.refworld.org/cgibin/texis/vtx/rwmain?page=search&docid=4cf4ac622&skip=0&query=georgia%20coun
try%20profile, accessed on 25.09.2018
42
CIA – Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook. Middle East: Georgia, see note 7 above
43
CIA – Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook. Middle East: Georgia, see note 7 above
Annexes

Georgian banknote44:

Exchange rates45:

44
National Bank of Georgia, Banknotes, available at: https://www.nbg.gov.ge/index.php?m=193, accessed 22
September 2018
45
XE, available at: https://www.xe.com/currency/gel-georgian-lari, accessed 22 September 2018
Georgian passport46:

Georgian flag47:

46
State Commission on Migration Issues, Passport of citizen of Georgia, available at:
http://migration.commission.ge/index.php?article_id=141&clang=1, accessed 22 September 2018
47
Britannica, Georgia national flag, available at: https://www.britannica.com/topic/flag-of-Georgia-national-flag,
accessed on 22 September 2018
This document is a product of the General Inspectorate for Immigration in partnership with the Romanian
National Council for Refugees by the grant contract FAMI / 17.03.02.02 – Management of COI Usage
and Research Processes – Romanian National Council for Refugees.

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and Integration Directorate International
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Cezara CRAMBA – COI Researcher
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Felix DAVID

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