During a meeting between Tamar Tkeshelashvili and Adrian Fozard, both parties expressed their interest in bolstering collaborative efforts, particularly in the realms of upholding the rule of law and enhancing public services. Concrete initiatives for further collaboration were deliberated upon with enthusiasm.

The First Deputy Minister of Justice and Deputy Minister, Beka Dzamashvili informed the representative of the World Bank about the innovative project implemented by the Ministry of Justice - Mobile Public Service Hall.

Discussions encompassed various spheres of the Ministry of Justice's activities, including ensuring the accessibility and efficiency of public services and ongoing reforms within the penitentiary system.

Tamar Tkeshelashvili underscored the history of successful cooperation between the Ministry of Justice and the World Bank. Notably:

The completion of the irrigation and land market development project's component by the public registry, as affirmed by the World Bank.

Commencing from 2023, a joint project has been in progress, supported by both the World Bank and the Government of Georgia. This initiative focuses on the adoption of innovative technologies for land administration by the National Public Registry Agency. It also aims at establishing a unified National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) and a geoportal.

The GRAIL project, in which the Public Registry is actively involved, receives funding from both the Government of Georgia and the World Bank.

The meeting was also attended by Chair of the National Public Registry Agency, Davit Devidze and Head of the Department of International Relations and Legal Cooperation of the Ministry of Justice, Keti Sarajishvili.

The exhibition showcases handcrafted items and paintings created on fabric and canvas. A portion of the proceeds from the sales will be dedicated to supporting beneficiaries of the Juvenile Referral Center.

Visitors to the event have the opportunity to contribute to the cause through donations, even without making a purchase. A designated collection box has been placed within the exhibition hall for this purpose.

This charitable initiative marks its third consecutive year, having already established itself as a tradition. This year, over 70 Ministry of Justice employees have presented their works.

Minister of Justice, Rati Bregadze visited the exhibition “Artists of Justice" together with his deputies. The Minister emphasized the significance of extending assistance to the minors of the Referral Center and expressed gratitude to all participants for their involvement in this event.

The exhibition space at the National Archives of Georgia will be open to visitors on March 1-2, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

During the meeting, Minister Rati Bregadze underscored the significance of deepening sectoral cooperation with European counterparts, particularly for Georgia as a candidate country for the European Union.

Highlighting the pivotal role of the Ministry of Justice in advancing Georgia's EU candidacy, Minister Bregadze outlined significant strides, including the implementation of key steps from the EU's 12-step plan. Notably, the ministry's efforts have been instrumental in combating organized crime (step 6) and proactively utilizing Strasbourg Court decisions (step 11) to bolster Georgia's EU candidacy status.

Emphasizing the urgency of legal harmonization, Minister Bregadze stressed the imperative of expediting the alignment of Georgian legislation with EU law within the framework of the EU enlargement policy.

On the topic of legal rapprochement, last week, Minister Bregadze participated in the Conference of Ministers of Justice in Zagreb, where concerted efforts towards fulfilling obligations outlined in Chapter 23 (Justice and Fundamental Rights) were deliberated. Key initiatives discussed include:

• - Submission of legislative amendments mandating all government agencies to seek the Ministry of Justice's legal opinion on EU draft law compliance prior to initiating draft laws in Parliament;
• - Launch of an electronic platform facilitating the recording, planning, and evaluation of the legal convergence process;
• - Development of the "Guide to Approximation of Georgian Legislation to EU Legislation," alongside plans to establish the EU Law Center within the Training Center of Justice.

Rati Bregadze also emphasized the Ministry's proactive stance in fostering legal cooperation with European counterparts, exemplified by the inaugural Georgian-German Legal Forum in 2023, with plans for the second forum in Germany this year.

At the end of the meeting, Minister Bregadze thanked Elizabeth Winkelmeyer-Becker, Chair of Bundestag's Legal Affairs Committee, for Germany's steadfast support and friendship towards Georgia's territorial integrity and European integration.

Deputy Minister of Justice Beka Dzamashvili also attended the meeting.

where the delegation of Bundestag's Legal Affairs Committee also visited a penitentiary institution as part of their visit.