After Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Borjomi, Rustavi and Batumi, the Minister of Justice held a presentation of the agency’s activity report for the residents of Telavi. The Minister personally provided information to the people of Telavi about the reforms implemented by the Ministry of Justice and fulfilled promises.

Strengthening the direction of human rights protection, legal security and effective services - all the innovations offered by the Ministry of Justice to citizens are united around these three principles. In particular:

The innovative project Mobile Public Service Hall was introduced and is successfully operating in 7 regions; PROBBOX electronic service system for probationers was launched in 6 big cities of Georgia; The reform of systematic land registration started - in 59 municipalities of Georgia, land is being measured and registered step by step, according to the timeframe;

Infrastructural works continue – 5 new public service halls and a community center were opened; Constructions are underway in 6 more municipalities; Additionally, one more Public Service Hall will be opened in Tbilisi, in Hualing; The Samtskhe-Javakheti regional archive building opened in Akhaltsikhe;

The bilingual magazine Iustitia was founded and published; The largest electronic legal database HeinOnline became available to the Ministry of Justice;

Memoranda of mutual cooperation were signed with the Ministries of Justice of Turkey, Israel, Hungary, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Switzerland;

Notary services have become available in administrative units - Saguramo, Gamarjveba, Martkofi, Shuakhevi, Adigeni, Aspindza, Kachreti, Keda, Khobi, Zestafon, Sighnaghi and Ambrolauri; Soon, citizens will be able to receive online notary services through a mobile application;

In addition, important reforms have been implemented in the penitentiary and probation systems – employment programs for prisoners have been strengthened; encouragement of sports activities in penitentiary institutions continues; Sports fields are being renovated; Regular trainings are in progress, probation offices opened in Sighnaghi, Terjola, Kutaisi and Zestafoni; The referral center opened in Kutaisi; Memoranda of cooperation have been signed with municipalities for the employment of persons sentenced with penal labor.

The presentation of the report was attended by the representatives of the local government, the Deputy Ministers of Justice, the employees of the local government agencies operating under the Telavi municipality and invited guests.

The agreement was signed by Deputy Minister of Justice, Tornike Cheishvili and Director of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), Alexis Goosdeel. The agreement is a clear example of sectoral cooperation with EU agencies and will contribute to the process of Georgia's integration with the EU.

The cooperation agreement aims to deepen cooperation, strengthen the capabilities of the National Drug Monitoring Centre and support the data collection system. In addition, the agreement envisions the sharing of experience on drug-related health and social harm response mechanisms, drug abuse prevention and drug addiction treatment, as well as support prevention of related diseases and harm reduction.

The sharing of experience on new psychoactive substances and the creation and strengthening of the drug-related early warning system are additional key areas of cooperation between the parties.

The close sectoral cooperation between the EMCDDA and Georgia has been ongoing for years and the European agency makes a significant contribution to the promotion and development of a humane and evidence-based drug policy in the country.

The Georgian National Drug Observatory was established in January 2020 based on the order of the Minister of Justice, and it is analogous to the EMCDDA at the national level, which serves to promote the study, assessment and evidence analysis of the drug situation in the country.

The EMCDDA delegation will leave Georgia on September 15.