CoE Deputy Secretary General Meets Parliament Speaker, launches CoE Action Plan with Georgian Authorities

On January 18, the Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, Shalva Papuashvili met with the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Bjørn Berge. Speaker Papuashvili welcomed the use of the term “occupation line” for the first time in the CoE Secretary General’s latest Consolidated Report on Conflict in Georgia.

“We are grateful for longstanding support of the Council of Europe towards Georgia and appreciate the launch of the fourth, 2024-2027 Action Plan for Georgia,” Speaker Papuashvili tweeted, adding that “It will greatly contribute to further consolidation of democratic reforms and Georgia’s further progress on the EU membership path.”

Moreover, on January 18, Deputy Secretary General, Bjørn Berge and the First Deputy Foreign Minister of Georgia, Lasha Darsalia, jointly launched the Council of Europe Action Plan for Georgia 2024-2027 in Tbilisi. “The Action Plan was developed closely with the Georgian authorities to address reform priorities and help introduce legislative changes that will bring Georgia closer to Council of Europe standards and European Union integration requirements,” the CoE said in a statement.

According to the CoE, under the Action Plan the sides have agreed to carry out reforms aiming to enhance the implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights and the European Court case-law at national level, align national legislation and practice of anti-discrimination with European standards and promote gender equality.

The Action Plan also aims to enhance the independence and accountability of the judicial system, improve the electoral legislation and practice, further reform the penitentiary, probation and crime prevention systems, advance the compliance of national practices with European standards in the field of media and internet, improve the quality of local democracy, enhance the protection of economic and social rights, further develop youth policies, facilitate transition of young legal professions to work, and facilitate civil society participation in decision making at all levels.

“CoE’s contribution is immeasurable in implementing democratic reforms in Georgia. Our cooperation is crucial, especially today, at this important stage of Georgia’s integration into the European Union,” First Deputy Foreign Minister Darsalia tweeted.

This article was updated on January 19, 14:35 to reflect the launch of the CoE Action Plan for Georgia 2024-2027.

Also Read:

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• 28/09/2023 – Parliament Speaker Meets with Secretary General of the Council of Europe

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