The Meeting of the Government of Georgia was held on 8 November 2006. The Agenda consisted of 22 items.
At the commencement of the Meeting, Prime Minister of Georgia Zurab Noghaideli briefed the Government members on the fact that he had visited the Georgian energy facilities, noting with satisfaction that all the four heat power stations and all the hydropower plants were fully prepared for the winter season and that the Enguri HPP had been repaired. He informed those present that for the first time in the last 20 years Georgia would export electricity from that day on, and that would make it possible to form much more reserve in the energy system. He re-emphasized that the notice of GazProm concerning the cost of the gas supplied to Georgia from Russia from the following year amounted to political blackmail, with which neither Georgia nor her government were going to be intimidated. Georgian companies were continuing talks with Russia, neighbouring gas generating countries over the commercial price of gas and in this respect they would have full support from the Government and finally they would arrive at the decision that was acceptable for the Georgian companies as well as for the people of Georgia.
At the Meeting, the Prime Minister asked Minister of Justice Gia Kavtaradze to report about the situation and plans in the penitentiary system.
The Minister of Justice presented a report of the works performed in the penitentiary system throughout 2006 and discussed the plans of the next year. Gia Kavtaradze noted that both fulfilled and future works were in full compliance with the action plan that was being considered by the Government Commission under the supervision of the Prime Minister.
The Minister of Justice identified the penitentiary infrastructure as one of the highest priorities. He said that Rustavi Prison Facility N2 would be rehabilitated by the end of the year and it would be possible to accommodate 2200 prisoners there. The following year, the new prison facility in Gldani that was designed to accommodate 3000 prisoners would become operational. Besides, foundation was laid to the construction of 800-men Batumi and Zugdidi prison facilities. Rustavi Prison Facility N1 and Geguti Prison Facility N8 would be rehabilitated.
The Minister of Justice pointed out that the medical care to prisoners was an important issue. Compared with 2005, the funding had been increased to 345000 Lari. As Gia Kavtaradze pointed out, the penitentiary healthcare system would soon be transferred under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs. "Next year, we plan to purchase new medical equipments for 800000 Lari. By the end of 2007, the medical system must be fully transferred to the Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs; the prison hospital will be closed down; West Georgia will be served by the hospital set up within Kutaisi Prison Facility and East Georgia - by the hospital set up within Gldani Prison Facility. In emergency cases, patients will be transferred to regular hospitals."
Another issues that the Minister of Justice touched upon was the new Draft Penitentiary Code that had been sent to the European Council for comments and was in parallel being considered by the Government Commission under the supervision of the Prime Minister.
After the Minister of Justice had completed his report, the Prime Minister clarified that the Legal Commission would continue discussions and the 2007 Plan would be adopted when the Parliament approved the 2007 Budget.
Press Center of the Chancellery of the Government of Georgia