During the meeting, the Minister of Justice emphasized the special role of the ICC in the fight against international crimes. According to the Minister, the challenges in the modern world add even more importance to the protection of international legal mechanisms and the strengthening of cooperation in this regard.

At the meeting with Silvia Fernandez de Gurmendi, Rati Bregadze noted that Georgia, as a founding member of the ICC, is an active supporter of the court. In particular, it always participates in sessions, general debates and discussions. Georgia was actively involved in the election of new ICC judges this year as well.

The parties noted that the active involvement of member states is crucial for the timely execution of arrest warrants issued by the Hague Court.

At the end of the meeting, Rati Bregadze stated that Georgia will continue close cooperation with the Assembly of Contracting States to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court in order to ensure the execution of international justice.

As a result of successful cooperation, on June 30, 2022, the Hague Court issued an arrest warrant against 3 "high-ranking officials" of the Tskhinvali region for the episode of crimes committed against Georgian civilian prisoners during the August war. It was said that it is now essential to mobilize all resources to enforce the arrest warrants.

It was noted at the meeting that the Georgian side particularly appreciates the decision of the Hague Court Victims' Fund to approve the aid program for the victims of the August 2008 war, the implementation of which began in April of this year. The program provides for the assistance of war victims in medical treatment, psychological rehabilitation of victims and other types of support.

The Georgian side expressed hope that the existing close, effective and institutional cooperation with the court will continue in the future.

The meeting was also attended by Deputy Minister of Justice, Beka Dzamashvili, Head of the Special Penitentiary Service, Nika Tshvarashvili and Ambassador of Georgia to the UN, David Bakradze.

The Minister of Justice Meets Head of the New York Probation Office, Juanita Holmes.

At the meeting, Rati Bregadze spoke about the reforms and innovations implemented by the Ministry of Justice in the field of crime prevention and probation.

"Innovative device Probbox is a modern mechanism of electronic control of probationers, which has no analogues in Europe. Electronic control and services of probationers, together with probation bureaus, are possible in alternative area, thereby increasing the protection of the anonymity of probationers and the geographical area of their control and services”, noted Rati Bregadze.

The Minister also informed the American side about rehabilitation programs introduced by the Ministry of Justice in the field of restorative justice. The conversation touched upon the importance of opening mediation spaces and juvenile referral centers in the regions.

It was noted that sharing the best international practices in the future development of penitentiary and crime prevention systems is one of the strategic priorities of the 10-year development plan of the Ministry of Justice.

The Georgian side expressed readiness to get acquainted with US experience in the field of probation and thanked the host side for the fruitful cooperation.

The meeting was also attended by Deputy Minister of Justice, Beka Dzamashvili, Head of the Special Penitentiary Service, Nika Tshvarashvili and Consul General of Georgia in New York, Maya Bartaya.