On May 16-17 2018, the President of the Constitutional Court of Georgia Mr. Zaza Tavadze opened the 3rd Congress of the Association of Constitutional Justice of the Countries of the Baltic and Black Sea Regions ′Role of the Constitutional Courts in European Integration Process′, at the Radisson Blu Iveria Hotel in Tbilisi.
Mr. Zaza Tavadze thanked the participants for attending the Congress and focused on the aims of the Association – promoting the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as the independence of constitutional courts, rule of law principles, and enhancing the exchange of experience among its members.
“The Association represents an ambitious project initiated by four Constitutional Courts to form a new platform of cooperation. In particular, the BBCJ Declaration on the establishment of the Association was signed in Vilnius on October 25, 2015 by the Presidents of the Constitutional Courts of Ukraine, Georgia, Republic of Lithuania and Republic of Moldova. It must be mentioned that not a long time ago the Association member states were united under similar historical challenges and it can be said that we have much in common in terms of legal and political development. Today, when each of us is facing new threats of protecting security and constitutional values, an active cooperation between the Constitutional Courts to support strengthening of Democracy and Rule of Law in our countries and to protect human rights and liberty is of great importance. We are happy to inform you that the Constitutional Tribunal of Poland has also become a member of the Association since today and I am deeply convinced that in the coming years our Association will be further expanded and continue to play a significant role in deepening an active cooperation between the Courts in the region” – noted Mr. Zaza Tavadze.
Within the frame of planned event, the Presidents and Justices of the member Constitutional Courts of the Association of Constitutional Justice of the Countries of the Baltic and Black Sea Regions (BBCJ), as well as the representatives of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe and other high-level delegates visited Tbilisi.
Solemn Opening Session of the Congress were attended and addressed by the President of Georgia Mr. Giorgi Margvelashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia Mr. Giorgi Kvirikashvili and Chairperson of the Supreme Court of Georgia Ms. Nino Gvenetadze, as well as the 1st Vice President of the Venice Commission Ms. Herdis Kjerulf Thorgeirsdottir and the Deputy Head of EU Delegation to Georgia Mr. Carlo Natale.
The welcome speeches and presentations were delivered by the Presidents and judges of the BBCJ member Courts.
The Constitutional Court of Georgia held the Congress in cooperation with the European Union and Venice Commission of the Council of Europe.
