Georgia: Protests In Batumi Demand New Elections And EU Membership

Protests against the pro-Russian government continued in Batumi on Thursday, January 2. Demonstrators demanded new parliamentary elections, the release of detained protesters, and EU membership.

Georgia: Protests In Batumi Demand New Elections And EU Membership 2

Protests against the pro-Russian government continued in Batumi on Thursday, January 2. Demonstrators demanded new parliamentary elections, the release of detained protesters, and EU membership. The video captures protesters projecting the European Union flag onto the government building of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara in Batumi.

Georgia: 6 Detained In Tbilisi After Protests Against Pro-Russia President Mikheil Kavelashvili 2

Demonstrators took to the streets of Tbilisi on Sunday, December 29, to protest the inauguration of the country’s new pro-Russia president, Mikheil Kavelashvili, a former Manchester City football player. Protesters clashed with police, leaving several injured. Six people were detained during the demonstration on Rustaveli Avenue.

Georgia: 6 Detained In Tbilisi After Protests Against Pro-Russia President Mikheil Kavelashvili

Demonstrators took to the streets of Tbilisi on Sunday, December 29, to protest the inauguration of the country’s new pro-Russia president, Mikheil Kavelashvili, a former Manchester City football player. Protesters clashed with police, leaving several injured. Six people were detained during the demonstration on Rustaveli Avenue.

Georgia: Thousands Form Human Chains In Anti-Government Protests 3

Thousands of anti-government protesters formed human chains across cities in Georgia on Saturday, December 28, to oppose the inauguration of the country's new pro-Russia president, Mikheil Kavelashvili. Kavelashvili, a former Manchester City football player, is scheduled to be inaugurated on Sunday, December 29.

Georgia: Thousands Form Human Chains In Anti-Government Protests 4

Thousands of anti-government protesters formed human chains across cities in Georgia on Saturday, December 28, to oppose the inauguration of the country's new pro-Russia president, Mikheil Kavelashvili. Kavelashvili, a former Manchester City football player, is scheduled to be inaugurated on Sunday, December 29.

Georgia: Thousands Form Human Chains In Anti-Government Protests 2

Thousands of anti-government protesters formed human chains across cities in Georgia on Saturday, December 28, to oppose the inauguration of the country's new pro-Russia president, Mikheil Kavelashvili. Kavelashvili, a former Manchester City football player, is scheduled to be inaugurated on Sunday, December 29.

Georgia: Thousands Form Human Chains In Anti-Government Protests

Thousands of anti-government protesters formed human chains across cities in Georgia on Saturday, December 28, to oppose the inauguration of the country's new pro-Russia president, Mikheil Kavelashvili. Kavelashvili, a former Manchester City football player, is scheduled to be inaugurated on Sunday, December 29.

Georgia: Pro-EU Protests Enter 11th Day As Thousands Continue To Resist

Pro-EU protests in Tbilisi continued for an 11th consecutive day on Sunday, December 8. Riot police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the rallies and have arrested more than 400 demonstrators since November 28. The video shows protesters climbing a Christmas tree set up in front of the parliament building in Tbilisi and placing Georgian and EU flags on it.

Georgia: Pro-EU Protests Continue Into 5th Day In Tbilisi Amid Police Crackdown 2

Pro-EU protests in Tbilisi continued into a fifth day on Monday, December 2. Police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse demonstrators who had gathered at the parliament building every night since Thursday, when the ruling Georgian Dream party declared its decision to put EU accession talks on hold.

Georgia: Pro-EU Protests Continue Into 5th Day In Tbilisi Amid Police Crackdown

Pro-EU protests in Tbilisi continued into a fifth day on Monday, December 2. Police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse demonstrators who had gathered at the parliament building every night since Thursday, when the ruling Georgian Dream party declared its decision to put EU accession talks on hold.

Georgia: Pro-EU Protesters Clash With Police For Second Night In Tbilisi 5

Thousands of people took to the streets in Tbilisi on Friday, November 29, for the second consecutive night to protest the government’s decision to suspend EU accession talks. Once again, protesters gathered outside the parliament in the capital, with some attempting to break through the metal gates surrounding the building.

Georgia: Clashes Erupt At Protest Against Halt To EU Accession Talks In Tbilisi 4

Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Tbilisi on Thursday, November 28, to protest the government's decision to suspend EU accession talks for four years. Police began dispersing the crowd after midnight, resulting in clashes.

Georgia: Pro-EU Protesters Clash With Police For Second Night In Tbilisi 4

Thousands of people took to the streets in Tbilisi on Friday, November 29, for the second consecutive night to protest the government’s decision to suspend EU accession talks. Once again, protesters gathered outside the parliament in the capital, with some attempting to break through the metal gates surrounding the building.

Georgia: Pro-EU Protesters Clash With Police For Second Night In Tbilisi 3

Thousands of people took to the streets in Tbilisi on Friday, November 29, for the second consecutive night to protest the government’s decision to suspend EU accession talks. Once again, protesters gathered outside the parliament in the capital, with some attempting to break through the metal gates surrounding the building.

Georgia: Pro-EU Protesters Clash With Police For Second Night In Tbilisi 2

Thousands of people took to the streets in Tbilisi on Friday, November 29, for the second consecutive night to protest the government’s decision to suspend EU accession talks. Once again, protesters gathered outside the parliament in the capital, with some attempting to break through the metal gates surrounding the building.

Georgia: Pro-EU Protesters Clash With Police For Second Night In Tbilisi

Thousands of people took to the streets in Tbilisi on Friday, November 29, for the second consecutive night to protest the government’s decision to suspend EU accession talks. Once again, protesters gathered outside the parliament in the capital, with some attempting to break through the metal gates surrounding the building.

Georgia: Clashes Erupt At Protest Against Halt To EU Accession Talks In Tbilisi

Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Tbilisi on Thursday, November 28, to protest the government's decision to suspend EU accession talks for four years. Police began dispersing the crowd after midnight, resulting in clashes.

Georgia: Clashes Erupt At Protest Against Halt To EU Accession Talks In Tbilisi 3

Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Tbilisi on Thursday, November 28, to protest the government's decision to suspend EU accession talks for four years. Police began dispersing the crowd after midnight, resulting in clashes.

Georgia: Clashes Erupt At Protest Against Halt To EU Accession Talks In Tbilisi 2

Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Tbilisi on Thursday, November 28, to protest the government's decision to suspend EU accession talks for four years. Police began dispersing the crowd after midnight, resulting in clashes.

Georgia: Protesters Clash With Police Over Suspension Of EU Accession Bid 4

Protesters clashed with police in Tbilisi on Thursday, November 28, as thousands of demonstrators took to the streets surrounding the Georgian Parliament to protest the government's decision to suspend EU accession talks for four years.

Georgia: Protesters Clash With Police Over Suspension Of EU Accession Bid 3

Protesters clashed with police in Tbilisi on Thursday, November 28, as thousands of demonstrators took to the streets surrounding the Georgian Parliament to protest the government's decision to suspend EU accession talks for four years.

Georgia: Protesters Clash With Police Over Suspension Of EU Accession Bid 2

Protesters clashed with police in Tbilisi on Thursday, November 28, as thousands of demonstrators took to the streets surrounding the Georgian Parliament to protest the government's decision to suspend EU accession talks for four years.

Georgia: Protesters Clash With Police Over Suspension Of EU Accession Bid

Protesters clashed with police in Tbilisi on Thursday, November 28, as thousands of demonstrators took to the streets surrounding the Georgian Parliament to protest the government's decision to suspend EU accession talks for four years.

Kamala Harris Thrust Into Spotlight As Biden Bows Out

Kamala Harris Thrust Into Spotlight As Biden Bows Out

File photo - U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris with second gentleman Doug Emhoff arrive before President Joe Biden signs the Instruments of Ratification for the NATO Accession Protocols for Finland and Sweden in the East Room at the White House in Washington on August 9, 2022. President Biden announced he was suspending his re-election campaign and putting his faith in Harris. Within hours, the vice-president confirmed her own bid for the White House. “I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic party, and unite our nation, to defeat Donald Trump,” Harris said. “We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win." Photo by Yuri Gripas/ABACAPRESS.COM

Hungarian parliament approves Sweden's NATO bid

STORY: Hungarian parliament approves Sweden's NATO bid SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 26, 2024 DATELINE: Feb. 27, 2024 LENGTH: 0:02:06 LOCATION: Budapest CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. SOUNDBITE 1 (Hungarian): VIKTOR ORBAN, Hungarian Prime Minister 2. SOUNDBITE 2 (Hungarian): ELOD NOVAK, MP of the opposition party Our Homeland of Hungary 3. various of Parliament exterior 4. various of MPs voting STORYLINE: Hungary's lawmakers on Monday approved a bill on Sweden's bid to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Out of the 199 members of parliament (MP), 194 participated in the voting, with 188 votes in favor and six against. The Hungarian parliament voted on the bill on the first day of the spring session of the Parliament. SOUNDBITE 1 (Hungarian): VIKTOR ORBAN, Hungarian Prime Minister "The Swedish-Hungarian military cooperation and Sweden's NATO accession strengthen Hungary's security." Elod Novak of the opposition party Our Homeland was one of the six MPs who voted against it. SOUNDBITE 2 (Hungaria

Turkish parliamentary committee okays Sweden's NATO bid

STORY: Turkish parliamentary committee okays Sweden's NATO bid SHOOTING TIME: Dec. 26, 2023/File DATELINE: Dec. 27, 2023 LENGTH: 0:01:14 LOCATION: Ankara CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the meeting of Turkish parliament's foreign affairs committee (courtesy of ihlas news agency) 2. various of the headquarters of NATO (file) 3. various of F-16 fighter jets (file) STORYLINE: The Turkish parliament's foreign affairs committee on Tuesday approved Sweden's NATO bid following deliberation, a first step necessary for putting it to a full parliament vote. The bill regarding the approval of Sweden's accession protocol to NATO was adopted by the committee with votes by the ruling Justice and Development Party, the Nationalist Movement Party, and the main opposition Republican People's Party. The IYI (Good) Party voted against the bill, while the People's Equality and Democracy Party did not participate in the voting. Fuat Oktay, the committee's chairman, said that Sweden has taken steps, especially r

Turkish parliament to discuss Sweden's NATO bid next week

STORY: Turkish parliament to discuss Sweden's NATO bid next week SHOOTING TIME: Dec. 22, 2023/File DATELINE: Dec. 23, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:14 LOCATION: Ankara CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Turkish parliament (courtesy of ihlas news agency) 2. various of the headquarters of NATO 3. various of a meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Türkiye (file) 4. various of a meeting among Türkiye, Sweden, Finland and NATO in Türkiye (file) STORYLINE: Turkish parliament's foreign affairs committee said on Friday that it would discuss Sweden's NATO bid next week. The committee said in a statement that the review of the bid is scheduled for Dec. 26. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed Sweden's NATO accession protocol and submitted it to the parliament in October. For ratification, the bill needs to be approved by the commission before being put to a full parliament vote. After Russia launched its military operation in Uk

Türkiye expects U.S. to approve F-16 jet sales in exchange for ratifying Sweden's NATO bid

STORY: Türkiye expects U.S. to approve F-16 jet sales in exchange for ratifying Sweden's NATO bid SHOOTING TIME: Dec. 22, 2023 with file DATELINE: Dec. 23, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:47 LOCATION: Ankara CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with U.S. President Joe Biden in Indonesia (file) 2. various of Turkish F-16 fighter jets (file) 3. various of meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with U.S. President Joe Biden (file) 4. SOUNDBITE (English): BATU COSKUN, Foreign Policy Analyst STORYLINE: Türkiye is facing mounting pressure from the United States to finalize Sweden's accession to NATO, but Ankara is holding up ratification by demanding the sale of F-16 fighter jets, experts said. On Dec. 14, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden spoke over the phone about Sweden's application to join NATO, which has been delayed for more than a year due to Ankara's opposition. Erdogan told journalists this w

Turkish president signs protocol on Sweden's NATO bid, sends parliament for ratification

STORY: Turkish president signs protocol on Sweden's NATO bid, sends parliament for ratification DATELINE: Oct. 24, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:01 LOCATION: Ankara CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan 2. various of Sweden's application for a member of NATO 3. various of Turkish parliament STORYLINE: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed Sweden's NATO accession protocol and has submitted it to Türkiye's parliament for ratification, said the president's office on Monday. The protocol will initially be discussed at the committee of the parliament and then will be submitted to the general assembly for a vote. Ankara had previously stated that it would not approve the memberships of Finland and Sweden to NATO unless the two countries took necessary steps regarding terrorism and extradited the requested individuals. The Quran burning incidents in Sweden were met with a strong reaction from Türkiye. However, Finland and then Sweden's NATO membership vetoes were lifte

Erdogan ties Sweden's NATO bid to Türkiye's EU accession talks

STORY: Erdogan ties Sweden's NATO bid to Türkiye's EU accession talks DATELINE: July 11, 2023 LENGTH: 0:01:23 LOCATION: ANKARA/ISTANBUL, Türkiye CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1 various of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan 2 various of views in Istanbul 3 flag of the NATO 4 flags of the EU and Türkiye 5 SOUNDBITE (Turkish): RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN, Turkish President 6 various of views of the EU 7 various of a meeting between the Turkish and Swedish delegations in Ankara (file) STORYLINE: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that Türkiye would support Sweden's joining NATO if the European Union (EU) revived membership talks with Ankara. SOUNDBITE (Turkish): RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN, Turkish President "I am calling out to the countries that have kept Türkiye waiting at the EU gate for more than 50 years. First, let's pave the way for Türkiye in the EU. Then let's pave the way for Sweden, just as the case with Finland." Erdogan told reporters before leaving for Vilnius, Lithuania, where he will

Erdogan calls on Sweden to "keep promises" for NATO bid

STORY: Erdogan calls on Sweden to "keep promises" for NATO bid DATELINE: July 8, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:58 LOCATION: ISTANBUL, Türkiye CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. Istanbul city 2. various of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivering a speech at the National Defense University graduation ceremony 3. Soundbite (Turkish): RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN, Turkish President 4. various of the meeting between the Turkish and Swedish delegations in Ankara, Türkiye (FILE) 5. various of headquarters of NATO STORYLINE: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Friday reaffirmed that his country would not green-light Sweden's accession to NATO unless the Nordic country adopted a firm stance against "terror groups." SOUNDBITE (Turkish): RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN, Turkish President "How can a state that doesn't distance itself from terror organizations contribute to NATO? How can Türkiye trust a country where terrorists are running wild on its streets? How can those who don't fight against terrorism fight against the enemies of t

Sweden's latest tensions with Türkiye could compromise its NATO bid: expert

STORY: Sweden's latest tensions with Türkiye could compromise its NATO bid: expert DATELINE: Jan. 29, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:10 LOCATION: Ankara CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the last quadripartite meeting of Türkiye-Sweden-Finland and NATO during the NATO summit in Spain 2. various of an old meeting of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Türkiye 3. various of old high officials council meetings of Türkiye-Sweden and Türkiye-Finland in Türkiye 4. SOUNDBITE (Turkish): SERKAN DEMIRTAS, Foreign policy analyst and Ankara bureau chief of Hurriyet Daily News STORYLINE: A Turkish expert has said the latest tensions between Türkiye and Sweden over recent protests in Stockholm, including the burning of a copy of the Quran, could compromise Sweden's NATO bid. Sweden and Finland applied last year to join the military alliance in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Their accession to NATO needs the approval of all member states of the military alliance.

Turkey's concerns not eased on Finland and Sweden's NATO bid: Erdogan

STORY: Turkey's concerns not eased on Finland and Sweden's NATO bid: Erdogan DATELINE: June 26, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:10 LOCATION: ISTANBUL, Turkey CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the bilateral meeting of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in Turkey (file) 2. various of NATO headquarters, NATO flag in Brussels, Belgium (file) 3. various of the militants of PKK in Turkey (file) 4. various of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Turkey (file) 5. various of Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson (file) 6. various of the meeting between Turkish presidential spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin and Finnish delegations in Ankara Turkey (file) 7. various of NATO headquarters, NATO flag in Brussels, Belgium (file) STORYLINE: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday that Turkey's concerns over Finland and Sweden's accession to NATO were not responded to with any substantial steps. Erdogan told NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in a phone

NATO says "working hard" on issues concerning Finland, Sweden's bids

STORY: NATO says "working hard" on issues concerning Finland, Sweden's bids DATELINE: June 14, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:28 LOCATION: Stockholm CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. shots of press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Sweden's Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson (credit: Government Offices of Sweden) 2. shots of Finland's President Sauli Niinisto talking with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on June 12 (credit: NATO) 3. shots of Finland and Sweden submitting applications to join NATO on May 18 (credit: NATO) STORYLINE: Contrary to previous assertions that the accession of Finland and Sweden to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) would be a quick process, the military alliance's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Monday that "there is no way to say exactly when" this will happen when visiting Sweden. While the parliaments of several NATO member states have already approved the two Nordic countries' bid to join the alliance, Turkey has so far not given its

Italy supports Finland-Sweden NATO bid while Turkey says no

STORY: Italy supports Finland-Sweden NATO bid while Turkey says no DATELINE: May 19, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:12 LOCATION: Rome/Ankara CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of Italy's Prime Minister Mario Draghi meeting with Finland's visiting Prime Minister Sanna Marin 2. various of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at his party's meeting at the parliament 3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN, Turkish President 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Turkish): RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN, Turkish President STORYLINE: Italy's Prime Minister Mario Draghi told journalists Wednesday that Italy backs the bid by Finland and Sweden to join NATO. Draghi met the press along with Finland's visiting Prime Minister Sanna Marin at Palazzo Chigi, the seat of Italy's government. He said that Italy was willing to speed up the two applicant countries' accession procedures. Draghi said that the application for membership in the military alliance was sparked by security worries in the wake of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Finlan