Georgians protest against plan to allow Turks to build power plantMarch 15, 2021 - 18:00 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Thousands of people took to the streets in the Georgian city of Kutaisi to demand that Economy Minister Natela Turnava step down amid public uproar over the Turkish-led construction of a new power plant, local media reported on Sunday, March 14. People have been protesting the construction of the Namakhvani hydroelectric power plant in Georgia's Rioni River valley by Turkish company Enka for some four months now. The protesters demand the cancelation of the governmental decree that entails the transfer of the Rioni valley to a foreign investor, the termination of the contract with Enka, as well as the resignation of Turnava Protests against the Namakhvani project normally attract climate activists, civil society leaders and ordinary citizens who fear that their livelihood and the region's environment will be affected by the construction. The Namakhvani project encompasses two separate HPPs of 333 MW and 100 MW on the Rioni River. The government hopes to enhance its energy security and to employ up to 1,600 Georgians with the “foreign direct investment in the amount of $800 million.” Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |