Ms. Nino Zurabishvili, Expert of the National Association of Local Authorities of Georgia (NALAG) participated in annual meeting of the Congress Group of Independent Experts on the European Charter of Local Self-Government (GIE), a group of constitutional and administrative law specialists from Council of Europe member States. The meeting took place on 19 and 20 September in Strasbourg.

During two-day meeting, Congress Group of Independent Experts discussed commentary on the explanatory report of the European Charter of Local Self-Government. Its purpose is to elaborate on the contemporary interpretation of the provisions of the Charter in the light of recent recommendations of the Committee of Ministers, the Congress and other Council of Europe work. The agenda also included the co-operation with the Venice Commission, the members of the GIE discussed the report on recall of mayors and other local elected representatives which was adopted on 21 June 2019.

The meeting continued in the format of discussion, members talked about other important topics about local democracy.

Group of Independent Experts on the European Charter of Local Self-Government (GIE) brings together each expert from its member countries. It was created for the purpose of Research on the compatibility of national legislation with the European Charter.

Meetings of the Congress Group of Independent Experts are held annually.