The Head of the Council of Europe Office in Georgia Cristian Urse made today the following statement:

„I welcome the adoption in the first reading, by the Parliament of Georgia, of the legislative package “4th Wave of judicial reforms.” Agreeing on this document was a long and complex process, involving all stakeholders concerned by the efficient functioning of judiciary – the Parliament, the Judiciary, the Government, the Public Defender, the Bar Association, and the civil society, alongside the international community. To their credit, they arrived at a meaningful and substantial agreement on the main aspects of this text.
Once in force, this legislation will lay down the framework for a more transparent and more accountable judiciary. We stand ready to continue cooperating with the national partners, to make sure they make full and adequate use of those legal provisions, to the benefit of the citizens of Georgia.
We look forward to seeing the final adoption of this draft“.