By the 1970s the resort was established as a base for a Winter Olympics training ground. Many famous Soviet skiers were trained there and Bakuriani hosted various slalom, bobsleigh, biathlon, and ski flying sporting events.

Fitch forecasts Georgia's economy to expand by 5.5 percent in 2022 and 5.3 percent in 2023, above the potential of 4.0-4.5 percent.

Sources at SOCAR told the Tribune that they viewed the talks with Hungary as a means of soothing European Union concerns that Budapest was significantly boosting shipments of Russian gas.

The company projects to produce 122,400 ounces of silver this year.