Today, State Minister of Georgia on European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Alex Petriashvili opened the conference on "The 2014 Local Elections: Lessons Learned and Steps Ahead". The conference is held in the Courtyard by Marriot Tbilisi hotel with the support of the Council of Europe, the International Foundation for Electoral System (IFES), the Swiss Confederation, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), reports GHN based on the Ministry on European and Euro-Atlantic Integration.
The aim of the conference is to review the experience gained in the 2014 local elections with respect to the international standards and conduct discussion regarding the possibilities for the improvement of the election process in Georgia. Representatives of the Government of Georgia, the Central Election Commission of Georgia, political parties, international community, media and civil society participate in the conference.
"Together with our international partners we will assess previous elections, openly discuss achievements, results, and upcoming plans that are directed to further enhance and improve the electoral system and election regulation procedures." - stated Alex Petriashvili prior to the opening of the conference. During the opening speech the State Minister put the emphasis on three recent elections: Parliamentary, Presidential, and Self Government and highlighted that international community and election observers assessed all three elections as successful and exemplary, which is the reflection of promotion and strengthening of democracy in the country.
Conference discussions are conducted on four main directions: 2014 Local Self Government Elections - View From the Government, 2014 Local Elections Environment, 2014 Local Elections - View of the Civil Society, and The Next Cycle of Elections- Opportunities and Challenges.