Norway has announced an additional 1.1 million Euro contribution to the implementation of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Georgia (2016-2019). On 13 December, the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Mrs. Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni, met with the Permanent Representative of Norway to the Council of Europe, Ambassador Astrid E. Helle (photo), who confirmed the importance Norway attaches to the cooperation activities delivered by the Council of Europe in Georgia. With this new pledge, Norway’s voluntary contribution to the current Action Plan for Georgia reaches approximately €1.8 million Euro.

The contribution from Norway will allow the Council of Europe to increase support to the Georgian authorities and stakeholders, in areas such as reform of the judiciary, human rights and administration of elections.  This additional support is particularly timely, coming at the beginning of a new governance cycle, when reform directions are being reconfirmed in line with the European values of human rights, democracy and rule of law.

The Council of Europe Action Plan for Georgia 2016-2019 is a joint initiative of the Council of Europe and the authorities of Georgia, which focuses on the following priority sectors: protecting and promoting human rights and dignity, including social rights, ensuring justice, strengthening democratic governance, countering threats to the rule of law, and confidence building measures in conflict-affected areas. It aims at strengthening the link between policy, the legal framework and practice, and the participation of the key stakeholders, with a view to fostering democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. Georgia became a member of the Council of Europe in 1999.