The European External Action Service (EEAS) Spokesperson has issued the statement on the appointment of permanent judges to the Supreme Court of Georgia.
"The Georgian Parliament appointed yesterday 14 members of the Supreme Court, a key institution for the proper functioning of Georgia’s legal system. The selection procedure did not adhere to all recommendations made by the Venice Commission and was characterised by key shortcomings, including a lack of transparency that undermines a genuinely merit-based nomination process. A number of the appointed candidates do not enjoy broad public trust, as was obvious in the course of the selection process. While the hearings carried out in the Parliament were transparent, more efforts should have been devoted to justify the choice of candidates ahead of the final vote.
Georgia's commitment to uphold the highest standards of ethics and integrity in its judiciary remains key for the credibility of the judiciary in the eyes of the Georgian citizens and for the advancement of the EU-Georgia agenda. A revision of the selection procedures to take full account of the recommendations of the Venice Commission, as well the shortcomings registered by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and other key observers, should therefore take place ahead of any additional appointments, the statement reads.
On Dec 12, the Parliament approved candidates of 14 Supreme Court judges out of 19.
Current Prosecutor General Shalva Tadumadze, Deputy Prosecutor General Mamuka Vasadze, and Secretary of the Supreme Council Giorgi Mikautadze have been appointed to the posts of permanent judges.
Chairman of the Constitutional Court Zaza Tavadze voluntarily refused to compete for the position of the Supreme Court judge.
Since Shalva Tadumadze has been appointed as a permanent judge, the position of the prosecutor general is now vacant.
