In framework of the official visit to Germany, the Deputy Minister Nino Javakhadze has held a meeting with the Minister of the German federal state North Rhine-Westphalia, Mr. Herbert Reul.
During the meeting, Ms. Jvakhadze informed Mr. Herbert Reul about the measures planned in order to decrease the number of asylum seekers from Georgia and crimes committed by them, including legislative initiatives related to change of the last name. The parties have also discussed the information campaign initiated by the Government of Georgia as well as the importance of granting Georgia the status of a Safe Country.
Nino Javakhadze has underlined the necessity of concluding the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministries of Interior of North Rein Westphalia and Georgia and has personally handed the MoU draft text to Mr. Reul.
During the meeting, it was also noted that almost 100% of applications for the readmission of persons residing without authorization have been approved and fulfilled. Nino Javakhadze also informed the Minister Reul about the signing of Memoranda of Understanding with EUROPOL, planned for March, 2018 which envisions deployment of Liaison Officer as well as launching the secure line for communication of operative information.
According to German side, the concrete steps planned by Georgia to address the situation in Nord Rein Westphalia are very important. The Minister of Nord Rein Westphalia expressed his appreciation of the visit of the Georgian delegation and the possibility of enhancing the cooperation. Herbert Reul also expressed his appreciation of the initiatives of the Georgian side and his readiness to start the procedures for the conclusion of the MoU. According to him, despite the fact that the population of Westphalia is concerned about their security issues, the statistics of crime conducted by Georgian nationals are not alarming.
In framework of her visit, Deputy Minister Nino Javakhade also had meetings with the Head of Criminal Police Service of North Rein Westphalia, Frank Hoever and the State Secretary of the Ministry of Children, Family, Refugees and Integration of Nord Rein Westphalia, Mr. Andreas Bothe. The sides discussed ongoing and planned projects and plans for cooperation.
Ms. Nino Javakhadze also visited Republic of Austria, where she held meetings with: General Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Interior – Peter Goldgruber, Director of Federal Service of Criminal Police of the Republic of Austria – Franz Lange and other high-level officials of the Federal Ministry.
Nino Javakhadze also held meeting with the Director of the Department for Eastern Europe, South Caucasus, Central Asia, European Neighborhood Policy and Eastern Partnership of the Federal Ministry of Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs of the Austrian Republic, Ms. Katharina Wieser.
During the meeting, the sides positively evaluated the existing cooperation between Georgia and the Republic of Austria, discussed the ways for future cooperation, and praised very effective cooperation in fight against organized crime as well as the importance of fulfillment of obligation under the Readmission Agreement.
