Ana Dolidze, a member of the Council of Justice, responds to the statement of the US Embassy concerning the problems existing in the judiciary system. She says that the embassy"s call on the government is a warning that a real reform is needed.

"Disciplinary proceedings have certainly been used on the one hand as a punitive mechanism for uncontrolled judges and, on the other hand, lifetime appointments are still a disaster for our judiciary. The embassy statement is a warning in both directions . This is a yellow card i on the football field that indicates that real reform to maintain judicial independence is needed, "Anna Dolidze said.

Ana Dolidze made this statement at the working meeting where the fourth wave of judicial reform was discussed. Nazi Janezashvili, member of the Justice Council is also attending the meeting. She said that the US Embassy"s call was preceded by a report by the State Department, which discussed the existence of clan rulership and fexistence of groups in the judiciary.

" The U.S. Government supports Parliament and its efforts to provide a legal framework that discourages improper judicial influence and informal governance. To foster greater public trust, we urge the government to adopt a transparent legal framework. This framework should guide the decision-making process governing future lifetime judicial appointments.

We commend the Parliamentary Working Group for their review of the processes and grounds governing judicial discipline. We encourage the Working Group to draw on international principles and standards, which provide a thoughtful roadmap for reform. We urge the Working Group to adopt a transparent disciplinary system governed by clear and independent investigative procedures and standards of proof. Increased transparency of the disciplinary process will improve public accountability and foster greater public confidence in the objectivity of the judicial system."- states the statement released by the US Embassy in Georgia.