The FINANCIAL — The Embassy of Greece and Caucasus University (CU) hosted a two-day visit of the director of the European Public Law Organization, Professor Spyridon Flogaitis in Tbilisi. Over the last week Professor Spyridon Flogaitis had meetings with high-ranking officials of Georgia.
In September 2006, the European Public Law Centre (EPLC) was transformed into the European Public Law Organization. EPLC, a non-profit institution of international character, founded by an Act of the Hellenic Parliament in 1995, has extensive experience in the areas of: legal reform, education and training, public administration reform, and overall institution building. EPLC has implemented multiple similar projects globally, including in countries of the Caucasus region, namely Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Professor Spyridon Flogaitis has been in negotiations with the director of the EPLC since its establishment in 1995. He is the Professor of Administrative Law at the University of Athens. He has a long-standing interest in the comparative, European, international and supra-national aspects of public law.
The aim of this visit was to suggest Georgia joining the European Public Law Organization and establish a Board of Directors made up of Georgian representatives.
The FINANCIAL interviewed Professor Spyridon Flogaitis about his visit to Georgia and on the concrete advantages Georgia would have in joining the EPLO.
I came to Georgia on behalf of the Georgian Public Law Organization and the Greek Foreign Ministry in order to address Georgia’s joining the European Public Law Organization, the national organization created by several countries under the initiative of the Greek Government.
If Georgia joins EPLO the country will get lots of advantages and on the other hand it will also be beneficial for Greece and for the entire world since Georgia is an active partner not only in the Caucasus region, but worldwide.
In the case of membership, EPLO will give a hand to the country in conducting its scientific activities and various reforms. Georgia is undertaking very important reforms itself and we believe that the Georgian Public Law Organization will be there to provide particular assistance.
If Georgia joins European Public Law Organization, it will have a positional Board of Directors. During the last two days, we discussed the possibilities of taking advantage of this organization at its maximum. The regional branch in this country will have activities throughout the Caucasus region and actually help and assist in the reforming process not only in Georgia but also in the whole Caucasus region.
Q. What were the top focus topics discussed at the meeting with high-ranking government officials?
A. First of all I presented the activities of this institution and then I explained the interest government organizations could have in this public law and I conveyed the joint interests of our countries, Greece and Georgia in developing and enlarging possible ways of cooperation within this project. Historically, the two countries have many emotional, cultural and historical ties. Then we discussed all the possible forms of cooperation with Georgia. Now the country has to make a political decision whether it agrees to confirm commitment with this organization.
Q. Caucasus University has a long-term relation with EPLO. What kind of projects do you have running at the moment?
A. European Public Law Organization in cooperation with CU has developed a project KOMNINOI- Modernization of Georgia’s legislation and training of civil servants and judges, a project funded by the Department of International Development Cooperation (Hellenic Aid) of the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The KOMNINOI project aims broadly at providing support to the review and modernization of Georgian legislation, as well as the training of members of the administrative and juridical bodies of the Georgian government.
More specifically, the project’s objectives include the approximation of Georgian legislation to the acquis communautaire, the proposal of legislative reforms, and the further development of relations between the Georgian public bodies with those of the EU Member States. The improvement of the knowledge and skills of Georgian civil servants, and the amelioration of decision-making and combating of corruption – are also key topics.
On March 7, 2008, CU and EPLO presented a joint Georgian-European LL.B program. This initiative demonstrates the dynamic development of CU. The aim of this program is for students of this country to meet with Greek students. Therefore, we have found an agreement which brings our scientific forces to CU. I am sure that this university can educate their students locally, but it is the best idea because the students have the possibility to be in foreign countries in a friendly environment.
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