A joint declaration on the digitization of public services was concluded today between the Israeli and Georgian Ministries of Justice. The document was signed by Rati Bregadze and Israeli Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Justice, Gideon Saar.

The declaration is a continuation of the memorandum signed between the parties in October 2021 and provides for cooperation in such matters as: access to public services, business and land registration, notary services, electronic apostille and others.

Before signing the document, a meeting was held between the parties. As Rati Bregadze noted, the signing of the declaration on digitalization of public services, the planned seminars and joint events are a clear example of the quick and effective implementation of the memorandum signed in October last year.

Rati Bregadze also informed his colleague about the latest developments in the field of service delivery. It was noted that 8 Mobile Public Service Halls are already functioning for the population living in rural areas and their number will increase to twenty by the end of the year. According to the Minister, work is underway on the mobile application "JustApp", which will allow the users to receive all services online. At the meeting, the Georgian party also offered Israeli scientists to publish articles in Iustitia magazine.

First Deputy Minister of Justice, Tamar Tkeshelashvili, Deputies, Beka Dzamashvili, Buba Lomuashvili, Tornike Cheishvili, as well as Israeli Ambassador to Georgia, Hadas Meitsadi attended the meeting

The representatives of the legislative, executive and judicial authorities got acquainted today with the changes prepared in the Ministry of Justice.

The purpose of the draft law is to bring Georgian legislation closer to European law, in particular, to recognize as binding the Hague Convention of November 23, 2007 "On International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance" and the Protocol of November 23, 2007 "On the Law Applicable to Maintenance Obligations".

In case of ratification of the Hague Convention and Protocol, international recovery of child support from responsible persons will be ensured for children in Georgia, if necessary. The contracting states of the Convention will cooperate to establish a system of mutual assistance and to implement efficient and speedy enforcement of justice in disputes of an international nature of family support.

In addition to the fact that mandatory recognition of these legal acts is an obligation for our country under the agenda of association between Georgia and the European Union, the convention sets a high standard for the protection of the child's rights taking into account his/her best interests.

It is planned to ratify the Hague Convention and Protocol in the near future.
The discussion on the legislative changes prepared for the implementation of the Hague Convention and Protocol was held in Georgia with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

Community Centers of the Ministry of Justice will continue to operate under the brand of the Public Service Hall. Deputy Minister of Justice, Erekle Gvinianidze presented today the initiative at the session of the Regional Policy and Self-Government Committee in the Parliament.

As a result of the rebranding of Community Centers, instead of 250 services, the population living in rural areas will be offered 470 services according to the usual standard of the Public Service Hall.

"The goal of the Ministry of Justice is that by 2024 there will be no more municipalities without a Public Service Hall. It is for this purpose that the construction of Khashuri, Zestafoni, Supsa, Terjola, Samtredia and Akhmeta branches of the Public Service Hall is currently underway, which will be completed in 2022-23. Next year, the construction of the Mtskheta, Sagarejo, Khelvachauri, Tsalenjikha, Zoti, Tolebi, Shrosha, Tsaishi, Didi Digmi and Gldani branches of the Public Service Hall will begin, which will be completed by the end of 2024. Currently, both the infrastructural renewal of public centers and the process of equalizing the services of the Public Service Hall and training of employees are actively underway. After the completion of the rebranding process, a common standard of service quality will be introduced," said Deputy Minister of Justice, Erekle Gvinianidze.

Rebranding is underway in 88 Community Centers throughout Georgia and the process will be completed by the new year. Kachreti Community Center is the first to start operating under the Public Service Hall brand.

In addition, according to the decision of the Ministry of Justice, the salaries of the employees working in the region and the capital were equalized.

Currently, 28 Public Service Halls, 88 Community Centers and 6 Mobile Public Service Halls are functioning throughout the country.

The importance of migration management in the European integration process was discussed at the meeting held in the Ministry of Justice.

Deputy Minister of Justice, Beka Dzamashvili met with the Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration of the Kingdom of Belgium, Nicole de Moor. The meeting was also attended by Chairperson of the State Services Development Agency, Ketevan Betlemidze, Executive Secretary of the State Commission on Migration, Giorgi Jashi, and Head of the International Public Law Department of the Ministry of Justice, Ketevan Sarajishvili.

The parties discussed the reforms and legislative initiatives implemented by the Ministry of Justice within the framework of the Visa Liberalization Action Plan.

The Belgian delegation was also interested in the services of the Public Service Hall. After the meeting held at the Ministry of Justice, the delegation visited Tbilisi Public Service Hall and got acquainted with the concept of providing state services.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the first forum on international migration and its progress report.

Representatives of other UN agencies, state agencies and civil society participated in the event organized by the co-chairs of the UN Migration Network - the Permanent Coordinator of the UN in Georgia and the Georgian Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), as well as the regional office of the IOM.

Together with the hosts, the meeting was opened by First Deputy Minister of Justice of Georgia, Tamar Tkeshelashvili, who in her speech emphasized the importance of partnership, coordinated action and general state approach in the field of migration management at the global, regional and national levels, which enabled Georgia to implement the visa liberalization action plan with the European Union and on its basis, has played an important role in the development of field management mechanisms.

The meeting was also attended by Chairperson of the State Services Development Agency of the Ministry of Justice, Ketevan Betlemidze, Executive Secretary of the State Commission for Migration Affairs, Giorgi Jashi, and representative of the agency, Ana Tsuladze.

Minister of Justice, Rati Bregadze, together with the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Gharibashvili and members of the Cabinet of Ministers, was at the Mukhatgadze Brothers Cemetery. The Head of the government and Ministers laid a wreath at the Heroes' Memorial as a mark of respect to the memory of those who died in the August 2008 war.

Speaker of the Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, representatives of the legislative authority and the diplomatic corps were also present at the Mukhathvedi cemetery.

Minister of Justice, Rati Bregadze visited today the Probation Bureau of the Federal Republic of Germany as part of his official visit to Germany. According to the Minister, the successful cooperation between Georgia and Germany is important in the process of European integration of Georgia, especially after granting the European perspective. First Deputy Minister, Tamar Tkeshelashvili, Deputy Minister Buba Lomuashvili and Beka Dzamashvili also participated in the meetings held at the Probation Bureau. According to the Minister, further development of penitentiary and crime prevention systems in accordance with the best European and international standards is a priority for him.

The members of the delegation of the Ministry of Justice spoke about the important reforms implemented by the agency, which are implemented by the National Agency for Crime Prevention, Non-custodial Sentences and Probation; In particular, the innovative device for the control and provision of services for probationers - PROBBOX, through which the control and services of probationers became possible without reporting to the probation offices. By means of this device, more anonymity of probationers is ensured and the geographical area of their control and service is increased. Regarding the PROBBOX, the Ministry of Justice is actively sharing its experience with partner countries.

During his speech, Rati Bregadze focused on such important reforms as: increasing the effectiveness of alternative punishments and execution of house arrests; Supporting the active involvement of persons sentenced for penal labor in the implementation of infrastructure projects of cities and municipalities throughout the country, and promoting/ensuring their employment after serving the sentence; Support for re-socialization and rehabilitation of convicts and ex-prisoners.

Minister of Justice, Rati Bregadze spoke about the importance of the European perspective for Georgia at the meeting held in the Bundestag. Rati Bregadze met with Head of Germany-South Caucasus Parliamentary Friendship Group, Johann David Wadephul in the Bundestag.

First Deputy Minister, Tamar Tkeshelashvili, Deputies, Buba Lomuashvili and Beka Dzamashvili, and Georgian ambassador to Germany, Levan Izoria also took part in the meeting.

The Minister of Justice noted at the meeting that sectoral cooperation and deepening of partnership with the Bundestag is an important issue in the European integration process of Georgia.

Johann David Wadephul noted that he had a very fruitful and good meeting with the Minister of Justice of Georgia.

"We are happy with the close contact of the Georgian authorities with Germany. The entire German parliament is very interested in deepening relations with Georgia. The parliamentary group responsible for Georgia is very happy with our friendship. We are glad that Georgia wants to take steps towards Europe. We are working to accelerate Georgia's even faster integration with the European Union. By expressing our common values and ideas, we will be able to live together in peace and friendship", said Johann David Wadephul.

The visit of the Ministry of Justice delegation to Germany began on September 6. Within the framework of the visit, meetings were held with the Minister of Justice of Germany, the President of the Chamber of Notaries, the Chairman of the Legal Committee of the Bundestag, the heads of the penitentiary and probation systems. Om addition, another meeting was held at Humboldt University.

The program envisions activities to be implemented in the direction of legal cooperation in civil cases and in the field of penitentiary and probation systems. The document was signed by Minister of Justice, Rati Bregadze and Federal Minister of Justice of Germany, Marko Bushman.

According to the cooperation program, there will be a sharing of sectoral experience on the issues of children's rights, juvenile justice, management and arrangement of the modern penitentiary and probation systems. In addition, Georgia will share the German experience regarding the rehabilitation and re-socialization, education and employment programs for convicts.

After signing the memorandum, Rati Bregadze thanked his German colleague. He expressed hope that the existing legal cooperation between Georgia and Germany will be further deepened and at the same time it will facilitate the process of Georgia's integration into the European Union.

Marko Bushman said that Georgia and Germany are connected by a long friendship. Germany shares the freedom of democracy and the value of the rule of law. The Minister of Justice of Germany noted that he is glad that the cooperation has reached a higher level and the joint cooperation program has been signed.

"The Federal Republic of Germany is ready to help Georgia to gain a place in the European Union. We are impressed by the ambitions and desires related to Georgia's EU membership," said Marko Bushman.

The meeting was attended by First Deputy Minister of Justice, Tamar Tkeshelashvili, Deputies, Beka Dzamashvili and Buba Lomuashvili, and the Georgian Ambassador to Germany.