On July 14, 2015 “Young Barristers” arranged second regional meeting within the frameworks of the “Ethnic Minorities’ Forum” in Marneuli Municipality. Issues concerning Eastern Partnership Program and European Integration have been discussed during the Forum.
Tea Tsulukiani - a Minister of Justice of Georgia, Archil Karaulishvili – a Deputy Minister of the Office of the State Minister of Georgia on European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Elene Gotsadze - a Head of the Information Center on NATO and EU, also representatives from the Office of the State Minister of Georgia for Reconciliation and Civic Equality, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia and Public Defender’s Office participated in the Forum. Representatives from the regional educational sector, civil sector, local self-government and regional Governor’s Office also attended the Forum. “Young Barristers” and the representatives of the ministries mentioned above, introduced the Eastern Partnership program, its current activities and role in the process of integration with Europe, as well as main aspects of the Georgian-EU Association Agreement, the role and responsibility of the ethnic minority in the process of integration to the society participating in the Forum.
Tea Tsulukiani, the Minister of Justice of Georgia focused on the issue of importance of close relations with the EU and how it can benefit the country and each citizen regardless of their ethnic origin or faith. The Forum participants learned directly from the Minister of Justice about Eastern Partnership Policy and about the role and rights of ethnic minorities within the frameworks of the project. Tea Tsulukiani noted, that there are numbers of reforms necessary to implement on the way to Europe and we do this for our county’s better future and not because someone demands this. Such changes will lead future generation to the opportunity to live in the better country. Better country means better conditions and progress for ethnic minorities as well. In this regard, it is essential that young people representing ethnical minority learned native language in order to have opportunity to develop and choose relevant career in Georgia. Equality – which is the main value for EU and accordingly for Georgia, can’t be achieved otherwise.
The “Ethnic Minorities’ Forum” made it possible for ethnic minorities in Marneuli to directly communicate with the representatives of the local and central government of Georgia. They had opportunity to get information and discuss Eastern Partnership Program and European Perspective of Georgia. A documentary film by Toma Chagelishvili about European Union was also represented in the forum. A special report, “Information Campaign About the Eastern Partnership for National Minorities Communities”, prepared by “Young Barristers”, was submitted to the local citizens, local libraries, Center for Civil Involvement, Self-Governments and civic organizations. The report was prepared in both, Georgian and Russian languages.
Archil Kaikatshishvili, a Head of “Young Barristers” says, that the objective of the project is to inform, engage and increase ethnic minorities’ awareness and trust in the issues such as Eastern Partnership Program, Georgian-EU relations perspectives and the role of minorities in this process of Integration. Nino Isakadze, a project coordinator, has noted during presentation, that still, ethnic minorities are not well informed about the responsibilities and benefits followed by integration with Europe, and in order to resolve the problem, it is necessary to make people aware of the good and importance of European Choice.
“Young Barristers” has implemented the project “Ethnic Minority Form” within the frameworks of the small grants program on the Eastern Partnership Minorities Network of the “Analytical Center for Interethnic Cooperation and Consultations - ACICC” in 2015. The project covered 2 regions: Samtskhe-Javakheti and Kvemo Kartli. Final stage of the Forum was held in Marneuli Municipality.
