30.11.2021 / 17:45

Georgian National Platform urges the Government of Georgia to accept the European counterparts’ proposal on the judicial reform

According to the Georgian National Platform, negotiations are currently underway between the partners to approve a new Association Agenda for 2021-2027 around which the agreement has already been delayed for a year. As the Platform notes, it became known that the delay was caused by the fact that the EU rejected the note about the judicial reform proposed by Georgia.

According to the statement, the note contains proposals for the reform of the High Council of Justice of Georgia, suspension of Supreme Court appointments before the reformation of the High Council of Justice and introduction of an inclusive rule for the appointments based on a compromise reached by the political forces in parliament.

"The Association Agenda is a planning and monitoring tool for the step-by-step implementation of the Association Agreement concluded between the EU and Georgia. The Association Agenda is renewed by mutual agreement of the Government of Georgia and the European Commission (EC) every few years. Since the signing of the Association Agreement in 2014, it has been approved twice, namely in 2014-2017 and 2018-2020. Negotiations are currently underway between the partners to approve a new agenda for 2021-2027 around which the agreement has already been delayed for a year. It became known that the delay was caused by the fact that the EU rejected the note about the judicial reform proposed by Georgia. The note contains proposals for the reform of the High Council of Justice of Georgia, suspension of Supreme Court appointments before the reformation of the High Council of Justice and introduction of an inclusive rule for the appointments based on a compromise reached by the political forces in parliament. The lack of the agenda hinders the EU association process, which is undoubtedly detrimental to Georgia. It is impossible to set priorities for the further implementation of the Association Agreement and to implement the provisions in a planned manner. In this regard, the "rigidity" of the government and all state authorities is perceived as a lack of readiness for the full implementation of judicial reform, which is an important part of Georgia's European reforms.

Due to the judicial reform in general and the current rule of appointment of judges in particular, our Western partners often provide negative evaluations and even occasionally organize demarches. We, the Georgian National Platform, deeming it unacceptable to postpone the approval of the EU-Georgia Association Agenda, urge the Government of Georgia to accept the European counterparts’ proposal on the judicial reform, which also fully reflects the position of a significant part of our society and pave the way for the immediate adoption of the Association Agenda", - reads the statement.

Signatory organizations include:

1. European Initiative – Liberal Academy Tbilisi

2. The Greens Movement of Georgia

3. EU Studies Centre, GFSIS

4. Journalism Resource Center

5. International Business and Economic Development Centre

6. The Association of Business Consulting Organizations of Georgia

7. Imereti Union of Science – “SPECTRI”

8. Research-Intellectual Club “Dialogue of Generations”

9. Samtskhe-Javakheti Regional Association “Toleranti”

10. Local Democracy Agency Georgia

11. IDP Association “Consent”