Brussels, 07/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - At the end of February - on the initiative of Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Füle and with the backing of High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton - the European Union appointed Thomas Hammarberg from Sweden as the special EU adviser on legal, constitutional and human rights issues in Georgia, the Georgian government announced on 5 March. This was confirmed by the European Commission on 6 March. According to the Georgian government, this appointment - for an initial period of four months - was made at the request of its prime minister.
Füle's spokesperson said that, with an independent and apolitical role, Hammarberg will provide independent and objective advice to the Georgian state institutions in a number of areas, so as to help them during a potentially sensitive period in the development of Georgia's democracy. The spokesperson said that these areas include judicial, legal and constitutional reforms - as well as the application of laws, the criminal system and human rights. According to the Georgian government, Hammarberg will consult it on these issues and will inform the political groups, civil society and diplomats of the situation.
Georgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Maia Panjikidze said that, by the end of June, there will be very serious research on the different reforms in Georgia and on the degree of transparency in the process. The Georgian government has welcomed the EU's decision and is ready to cooperate closely with Hammarberg. (CG/transl.fl)