German official highlights “open dialogue” between citizens, institutions in Georgia visit
The German Minister also visited two penitentiary institutions, where he was briefed about the structure of the facilities and its approach to prisoners. Photo: Deutsche Botschaft Tiflis
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Benjamin Limbach, the Minister of Justice of the German State of North Rhine-Westphalia, on Thursday highlighted the role of “open dialogue” between citizens and state institutions for the functioning of a “democratic and law-based state”, in comments during his visit to Georgia.
The German Embassy said Limbach met officials, representatives of the domestic judiciary and non-governmental sector during his trip.
The visiting official held meetings with Georgia’s deputy ministers of Justice, chairs of the Supreme Court, the chair of the Supreme Council of Justice and the head of the Special Penitentiary Service between Sunday and Thursday.
The official also visited Tbilisi State University and had meetings with judges and representatives of non-governmental organisations.
“As a European, I was greatly impressed by the activities of the Georgian civil society to establish European values in Georgia. An open dialogue between citizens and state institutions is necessary for a democratic, law-based state", Limbach said.
The German Minister also visited two penitentiary institutions, where he was briefed about the structure of the facilities and its approach to prisoners.
In his comments, the visiting official highlighted the significance of a successful resocialisation of inmates, and noted the German Government was supporting Georgia in developing a “modern probation and prison system” for the purpose.
Peter Fischer, the German Ambassador to Georgia, on Tuesday vowed his country’s support for Georgia’s aspiration to become a member of the European Union.
Georgian Finance Minister Lasha Khutsishvili and Luise Hölscher, the German Federal Minister of Finance, on Tuesday discussed bilateral partnership and future cooperation as part of intergovernmental negotiations on development between the two states, hosted in Berlin.
Georgia’s European integration and the progress achieved by the country were discussed on Tuesday by Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, the legislative body’s Environmental Protection Committee Chair Maia Bitadze and Sven Giegold, the State Secretary at the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.
The German Government will allocate €1.3 million through the German Development Bank to support introduction of green hydrogen technology in Georgia, the Georgian Ministry of Economy announced on Tuesday.
German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has announced plans to put Georgia and Moldova on the list of safe countries, Georgian media outlet IPN reported on Wednesday.