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Initial position of the GTZ legal advisory services in the South Caucasus
Shortly after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the GTZ, working on behalf of the Federal German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development
(BMZ),
began to offer the transition states of the South Caucasus practical help on their way to independence. Besides measures in the health, agricultural and education sectors, the GTZ projects encompass support of a profound legal reform in the South Caucasian states in order to promote lasting development of democratical structures and social justice.
A crucial condition for legal reform is the passage of civil, economic and proceedings laws. A great number of such laws have already been implemented in the relevant countries. The GTZ carries on advisory services in this field, if the project partners request it.
During the current phase, however, the main focus is occupied by advisory services on the application of these new laws in a way which is appropriate for a constitutional state. With this purpose, the project office offers extensive possibilities of training for legal experts and supports the countries in elaborating specialised legal literature. The GTZ also advises the reform of legal education and the establishment of standardised examination regulations. These are indispensable for a workable legal system and acceptance among the broader public. Also crucial to the process is public relations work. In this context advice and support are given to the establishment of press offices in the courts, press work, and the publication of court decisions.
The process of strengthening the newly developed democracies has recently been additionally supported through EU activities in the Caucasus and their admission to the Council of Europe.
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