An opening event of the new twinning project gathered representatives of the governments of Georgia and Lithuania, Georgian public sector, international organisations, civil society and academia to present the objectives and expected results of the project as well as take stock of the progress in public sector reform in Georgia.
The project, with a total budget of 1,2 million EURO, is financed by the European Union and will be implemented in partnership with the Government of Lithuania, Ministry of Interior, Civil Service Department and European Social Fund Agency throughout a period of time of two years. Participants of the opening event were welcomed by Kakha Kakhishvili - Head of Administration of the Government of Georgia, Carlo Natale - Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia, Algirdas Stončaitis - Chancellor of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, H.E. Giedrius Puodžiūnas - Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania to Georgia, Archil Karaulashvili - Head of General Directorate of European Integration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia.
"Georgia has undertaken important reforms in the Civil service since 2015. The adopted legislation set the scope and standards of a stable, united, neutral and accountable professional civil service. These were crucial benchmarks for our Association Agreement and to allow for visa liberalisation to Georgian citizens. Progress made in this sector must now be safeguarded throughout the implementation stage, to ensure reforms achieve their goal. The EU is ready to continue working with Georgia to this end" - said Carlo Natale, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia.
“This project has a particular importance for the Civil Service Bureau of Georgia. We expect that not only it will significantly enhance proper implementation of the ongoing civil service reform and reinforce the capacities of the Civil Service Bureau, but foster the cooperation and friendly relations between the two countries, Lithuania and Georgia” – said Catherine Kardava, Head of the Civil Service Bureau of Georgia.
“For many years, Lithuania has been paying special attention to the relations with Sakartvelo and we do not intend to change our policy choice. We have been supporting Sakartvelo independence and territorial integrity for more than 25 years, a strong choice to follow the example of European Union, to create an open, democratic and law-based prosperous state. I believe that this Twinning project will be one more bridge in connecting our states, our civil service and most importantly our people.” – stated Algirdas Stončaitis, Chancellor of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania.
Lithuania in the kick-off event was also represented by the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Interior Mr. Česlovas Mulma, the Director of the Civil Service Department Mr. Gediminas Miškinis, the Director of the European Social Fund Agency Mr. Povilas Česonis and project’s team: MS RTA Ms. Reda Rekašienė, experts Ms. Goda Aleksaitė, Mrs. Indrija Aškelovičienė and Mr. Arvydas Kazlauskas.
Up to 80 participants from various public administration institutions have participated at the opening ceremony and attracted a lot of media attention.
