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agreed with the then Head of the Constitutional Security Department, Data Akhalaia.
2.4 MEPs say Georgia on “sustained reform track”
Members of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee have endorsed the draft report on the implementation of the EU Association Agreement with Georgia, welcoming the country’s “sustained reform track” that “makes it a key EU partner in the region”.
The broadly positive report focuses on Georgia’s commitment to becoming an economic partner of the European Union in its region, while highlighting some key areas of concern: high-level corruption, the incomplete independence of the judiciary and the politicisation of media. A series of scandals, including pressure placed on independent media groups, the involvement of the public administration in favouring the ruling coalition’s presidential candidate and pressure brought to bear by officials on non-governmental organisations indicate concerns might have been aggravated since the report was drafted in July.
The European Parliament is to vote on the report at its November 11 plenary session in Brussels.
Georgia still has a number of issues to focus on including labour rights, economic emigration, high-level corruption and abuse by law enforcement officials, the report reads. MEPs called on the Georgian authorities to continue ensuring stability, further democratic reforms and economic and social improvements for Georgians. High-level corruption, securing the full independence of the judiciary and depoliticising media content remain key areas of concern, they stressed.
The report notes with satisfaction Georgia’s results in fighting corruption and commends the country for the continued implementation of the Anti-Corruption Strategy and Action Plan. But it urges the Georgian authorities to put in place an effective mechanism for investigating cases of abuse of the law by enforcement officials.
The report welcomes the progress of judicial reform, but calls for more transparency of the judicial system and for further improvements to its independence. It also notes with satisfaction improvements in Georgia as reflected in the 2018 World Press Freedom Index established by Reporters Without Borders, but recalls the importance of a free and independent mass media and a pluralistic media environment as key democratic principles.
2.5 Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia among five European countries with lowest expenditure on judicial system: Council of Europe
Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia are among the five European countries with the lowest public budget allocated to the judicial system per capita, according to a report issued by human rights organisation Council of Europe (CoE) on October 4.
11 GEORGIA Country Report November 2018 www.intellinews.com