Parliament Vice Speaker: “fruitful” CoE cooperation “basis” for democracy consolidation
Talakvadze also reviewed the work done by the Georgian Parliament over the recent years, noting in particular the constitutional amendments for stronger guarantees for the protection of human rights. Photo: Parliament of Georgia
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Archil Talakvadze, the Georgian Parliament’s Vice Speaker, on Friday said the “fruitful” cooperation between the country’s authorities and the Council of Europe served as “additional motivation” for a further consolidation of democracy, strengthening of the rule of law and protection of human rights in the country.
In remarks at a session of the CoE Parliamentary Assembly, the Parliament official said Georgia had “proved” it could “implement reforms and strengthen democracy” despite the continued occupation of two of its regions by Russia and security challenges in the wider region.
Talakvadze also reviewed the work done by the Georgian Parliament over the recent years, noting in particular the constitutional amendments for stronger guarantees for the protection of human rights.
“We now have a stronger and more pluralistic Parliament, with more effective mechanisms for oversight and accountability, as well as opposition activities. Media has become independent and diverse. We have adopted new laws for greater involvement of women in politics”, Talakvadze said.
The official also focused on the reform of the judicial system and noted the number of complaints filed against Georgia in the European Court of Human Rights had decreased by 60% under the current Government.
“Today we really have a better Georgia than it was 10 years ago. We assure our partners that the commitments [with international bodies] will be fulfilled”, he concluded.
A resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on Friday welcomed the progress made by Georgia in honouring its obligations and commitments taken up as part of its membership in the body.
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe Marija Pejčinović Burić on Tuesday said Georgia had several conditions to fulfil, upon which she hoped the country would be granted the European Union membership candidate status.
Archil Talakvadze, the Georgian Parliament Vice Speaker, on Tuesday said an amendment had been made to the draft resolution of the Council of Europe’s upcoming summit in Reykjavik, calling for Russia to withdraw its troops from the Georgian territory.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Monday said Marija Burić, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, had “positively” assessed the ongoing reforms in Georgia, including those related to fulfilment of the European Union conditions for granting the country a membership candidate status.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Friday highlighted the latest resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe by saying “everyone [except] a part of our opposition” could see the progress mentioned in the document.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday left for Iceland to participate in the Summits of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe in Iceland’s capital city of Reykjavík.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Tuesday said the participation of Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili in the fourth Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe in Reykjavik this week carried a “special importance”.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Wednesday said his country’s “key message” at the ongoing Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe in Reykjavik was that it “deserved” to receive the European Union membership candidate status by the end of this year.