By empty (1/24/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)

In accordance with President Saakashvili\'s election pledge one year ago, as of January 2005, the minimal monthly pension has been raised from 14 to 28 laris ($15). Finance Minister Zurab Nogaideli told a government session on 24 January that sufficient funds have been transferred to the regions to begin payment of the higher pensions. (Caucasus Press).

By empty (1/24/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)

A spokesperson for Kyrgyzstan\'s Central Election Commission (CEC) told akipress.org that the deadline for submitting applications to run in the 27 February parliamentary elections expired on 22 January. The spokesperson said that the CEC is currently reviewing applications and will complete the registration process on 1 February.

By empty (1/24/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)

The Abkhaz Foreign Ministry said that at the current stage of relations between Abkhazia and Georgia, the problem of recognizing Abkhazia\'s independence reflects the interests of both parties. \"Undoubtedly, in the long-term perspective, the recognition of Abkhazia\'s independence will be more important for regional stability than attempts to unite Abkhazia with Georgia, which, at the current stage of Georgian-Abkhaz relations, would only spark another fierce conflict,\" says an Abkhaz Foreign Ministry statement circulated on Monday. The statement was made ahead of Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili\'s visit to Strasbourg, where he is to address a session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.