In particular, in a manipulative story with a flashy background of planes and pilots, which aims to mislead the public, it is said that, allegedly, the leadership of the Ministry spent up to 7 million GEL in six months on flights related to business trips.

We clarify that 6.4 million GEL of the amount indicated in the story is the expenses incurred by the National Agency of the Public Registry for business trips within the country within the framework of the reform of the systematic land registration, which involves the travel and accommodations of 750 land surveyors throughout the country in order to measure land plots in different municipalities, as well as, for organising trainings, working meetings with city hall representatives and residents in 64 municipalities. This expense is included in the systematic land registration budget.

As of today, within the framework of land reform, 612,609 land plots with a total area of 194,530 ha have already been measured and 482,190 land plots with a total area of 173,272 ha have been registered. Systematic registration of land throughout the country started in 2022, it is completely free for citizens and is funded by the state.

The closing of the second consecutive national simulation training - "Fight against human trafficking: sustainability of inter-agency cooperation through the implementation of national simulation training" - was held today.

The purpose of the simulation training is to increase the skills of practitioners employed in the field of victim-oriented approaches and inter-agency coordination and cooperation, which, in its turn, will contribute to the timely detection of crimes and the effective integration of victims into society.

The training is a unique opportunity for investigators, prosecutors, labor inspectors, lawyers, psychologists, and social workers to engage in the process of detecting and responding to human trafficking cases in a simulated and, at the same time, safe environment.

It should be noted that Georgia is one of the first states where simulation training was introduced as one of the successful methods of training in the fight against human trafficking. The first training was held in 2022. This year, a similar exercise was conducted in Georgia for the second time, which indicates that the fight against human trafficking is one of the priority directions of the Georgian government.

It should be noted that in the fight against human trafficking, Georgia holds one of the leading positions in the world for the 9th year. According to the latest 2023 report of the US State Department, Georgia still maintains its place at the highest level of evaluation in the so-called first basket, along with many European countries.

The event was implemented with the financial support of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the Embassy of Switzerland in Georgia.

The national simulation training was held within the framework of the inter-agency coordination council for combatting human trafficking. Its partners are: the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the General Prosecutor's Office, the Investigative Service of the Ministry of Finance, the Labor Inspection Service, the State Care and Assistance Agency for Victims of Trafficking, the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the non-governmental organization - the National Network for Protection from Violence and the Shota Rustaveli Theater and Film State University.

The simulation training started on November 20 and ended on November 24.

The meeting between Rati Bregadze and Sandor Pinter took place within the framework of the "Joint Declaration between Georgia and Hungary", which was signed by Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Gharibashvili and Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban in October.

The Minister of Justice introduced to the Minister of Internal Affairs of Hungary the reforms implemented in the penitentiary system of Georgia, which are based on the balance between the implementation of security measures in prisons and well-functioning rehabilitation and resocialization programs. In particular, the Hungarian colleague was informed about the digital university, the sports management system, the employment of inmates, the Re-Market store, the provision of state services through the Public Service Hall in the penitentiary system, the new, small-scale penitentiary facility that was recently opened in Laituri and plans to open another small-scale facility in Rustavi in 2024.

The meeting was also attended by the First Deputy Minister of Justice, Tamar Tkeshelashvili, Deputy Minister, Beka Dzamashvili and Ambassador of Georgia to Hungary, Tamar Liluashvili.

The Minister congratulated her on her appointment to the new position and wished her success in the 2024 European Parliament elections.

During the meeting with Judit Varga, the Minister of Justice once again noted that joining the European Union is the choice of the Georgian people and the Ministry of Justice of Georgia was and remains an active supporter of this process.

One of the important components of the European integration process is the convergence of national legislation with EU legislation. For this purpose, legislative amendments have been submitted to the Parliament, according to which the Ministry of Justice will coordinate the process of harmonization of legislation, and a special computer software has been created for greater efficiency; In addition, an EU practical guide and a training module were developed for civil servants.

At the end of the meeting, the Minister of Justice expressed hope that the fruitful cooperation with Hungary on the path of Georgia's European integration will be further deepened. The foundation of this cooperation was laid in 2021, when Rati Bregadze participated in the conference of justice ministers of the countries included in the Council of Europe.

The meeting with Judit Varga was also attended by First Deputy Minister of Justice of Georgia, Tamar Tkeshelashvili and Deputy Beka Minister, Dzamashvili.

The meeting between Rati Bregadze and Bence Tujon took place today within the framework of the Joint Declaration between Georgia and Hungary, which was signed by Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Gharibashvili and Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban in October, this year.

The Ministers of Justice of the two countries discussed specific areas of strategic cooperation. The Hungarian side once again confirmed its readiness to provide expert assistance in the process of approximation of the national legislation of Georgia to the law of the European Union. At the meeting, they also discussed the establishment of the Georgian-Hungarian legal forum.

The parties shared their experience in land registration.

The meeting was attended by First Deputy Minister of Justice of Georgia, Tamar Tkeshelashvili, Deputy, Beka Dzamashvili and Ambassador of Georgia to Hungary, Tamar Liluashvili.

Cooperation between the Ministries of Justice of Georgia and Hungary has been developing intensively especially since 2021, after the renewal of the Memorandum of Cooperation. In July 2023, the Justice Ministers of the two countries signed a joint declaration, and in October, the 2024-2025 working plan for cooperation in the field of justice was signed as well.

The Minister of Justice presented the one-year report of the agency's activities to the deputies. The report covered the following topics:

• Activities carried out in the direction of European integration;
• Protection of state interests in international courts;
• Holographic museum of the history of law;
• Further simplification of access to services for citizens; mobile Public Service Hall, new and under-construction Public Service Halls;
• New Penal Code for better protection of prisoners' rights;
• Cases concluded with settlement;
• "Digital University" for the right to education of inmates;
• Restorative justice and mediation programs;
• Systematic registration of land to protect ownership rights;
• Systematic addressing for citizens to simplify receiving services;
• Development of digital governance.

After the report, Rati Bregadze also answered the questions of the deputies.

The 23rd branch of the Public Service Hall in the Imereti region will provide more than 470 services to the population of the city of Zestaponi and its surrounding villages in one space, in a comfortable and modern environment. It should be noted that in the Zestaponi Public Service Hall it will be possible to use the wedding registration in a specially arranged ritual space.

Today, the Mobile Public Service Hall project was also launched in Zestaponi region, which offers services to those living far from the regional centers.

Minister of Justice, Rati Bregadze opened the Public Service Hall of Zestaponi together with Zestaponi Majority MPs, Bezhan Tsakadze and State Trustee in Imereti region, Zviad Shalamberidze. The branch, equipped with new equipment and inventory, is fully adapted to the needs of people with disabilities. About 20 local residents are employed in the office.

Availability of state services is a priority of the Ministry of Justice, which is currently provided by 118 public service halls across the country. In addition, active construction works are underway in Terjola, Samtredia, Khashuri and Akhmeta; By the end of 2024, the Public Service Halls will be opened in Sagarejo, Mtskheta, Tolebi, Zoti, Tsaishi, Khelvachauri, Shrosha, Sachkhere, and new branches will be built in Tbilisi and Batumi.

From 2024, citizens of Georgia will be able to use the digital Public Service Hall, which will allow them to receive all services with their smart phones.

The opening of the Zestaponi Public Service Hall was also attended by the Deputy Ministers of Justice, heads and representatives of local authorities, and invited guests.

Minister of Justice, Rati Bregadze opened today a completely new penitentiary facility for 700 convicts. The Laituri Penitentiary fully meets all the recommendations of the European Committee on Torture and Inhuman Treatment (CPT). It is fully adapted to the needs of both the accused and convicted persons, as well as the employees of the institution.

Inmates are provided with high-quality medical services, sports infrastructure, all means of learning various professions, an auditorium equipped with modern equipment for a digital university, from which convicts can attend lectures online and communicate directly with lecturers.

About 250 employees of the penitentiary will take care of the safety, rehabilitation and resocialization of the inmates, during their sentence term, provided with comfortable working conditions, including free food and transportation; Both sports and recreation areas.

A branch of Public Service Hall was also opened in the institution, which provides access to state services for inmates and employees. The work of the branches of the Public Service Hall in the penitentiary institution is a Georgian innovation and has no precedent in any country of the world. The facility is fully adapted to persons with disabilities.

The presentation of the demonstration version of the "RE-BOX" project was also held at the event, which was created in active cooperation with the Digital Management Agency in order to increase the possibility of access to digital equipment for convicts and the effectiveness of resocialization projects.

Laituri prison is a first small-scale institution corresponding to the highest European standards. Replacing large prisons with small-scale penitentiary institutions is a priority of the Ministry of Justice, and the goal is to bring the Georgian penitentiary system even closer to European standards.

The opening of Laituri Penitentiary No. 1 was attended by Majority Deputy of Ozurgeti, Lanchkhuti and Chokhataur, Vasil chigogidze, Chairperson of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara, Tornike Rizhvadze, State Trustee in the Guria Region, Giorgi Urushadze, the Deputy Ministers of Justice, representatives of the executive and legislative authorities, and invited guests.

As part of the ongoing high-level conference in Tbilisi, the Saakadze Training Base of the Training Center of Justice opened today.

Minister of Justice, Rati Bregadze personally opened the Training Base together with the conference participants.

The Saakadze Training Base is unique in the region with various means gathered in one space. It will be possible to conduct universal and special training courses on site.

The base will serve the employees of the Special Penitentiary Service, the Probation Agency, the National Bureau of Enforcement and the General Inspectorate.

The Saakadze Training Base, covers an area of up to five hectares, has a shooting and driving range, auditoriums, sports fields, conference spaces, work rooms, a gym, running tracks, a simulation training center, a training courtroom, training prison cells, a medical station, hotel rooms, a canteen and other required spaces.

The event was attended by the Deputy Ministers of Justice, representatives of partnering agencies, employees of the system and other invited guests.

The high-level conference, which was dedicated to the innovations in the rehabilitation and resocialization process of inmates and probationers, ended with the opening of the Saakadze Training Base.

The conference was organized by the Ministry of Justice and the Special Penitentiary Service of Georgia, with the support of the European Organization of the Prison and Penitentiary System (EuroPris) and the US State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). It was attended by high-ranking officials of 20 states, among them, ministers of countries, deputy ministers, general directors of penitentiary and probation services, heads of international organizations and experts.