The Georgian National Communications Commission responds to the article “Sanctions against broadcasters – apple of discord at the Georgian National Communications Commission” published on www.for.ge - information agency on November 7, 2012.

The information agency has obtained an interview with Akaki Sikharulidze, a member of the Commission. Here is a citation from the interview: “Not only today’s session is the matter, although as for this session, it was held about transition to digital broadcasting. I presented a draft of transition to digital broadcasting at the Regulatory Commission in 2009. It is decided that finally this draft should be implemented in 2015. Already seventh or eighth session has been held regarding this draft (which I have presented) and nobody asks me to attend. Some other kinds of trends are set from this point of view. I am kept at a distance. Besides, this is not a first case. It is already two years that it happens so, once, twice, ten times and I have made a statement which I have made.”

We would like to explain that Mr. Akaki Sikharulidze has never presented to the Commission any document regarding transition to digital broadcasting.

As for the phrase in Mr. Akaki Sikharulidze’s statement: “I presented a draft of transition to digital broadcasting at the Regulatory Commission in 2009. It is decided that finally this draft shall be implemented in 2015. “ - we explain that transition to digital broadcasting in many countries of the world, including Georgia is defined by ITU (International Telecommunication Union) in accordance with GE-06 Agreement adopted in 2006.

Besides, the Ministry of Economics and Sustainable Development of Georgia should work out strategic plan of transition to digital broadcasting in accordance with the Law of Georgia on Electronic Communications. The document shall be approved at a government session. We consider that this issue is already known to all interested parties.