Georgia: EU provides €21million to support public finances reform, including Parliament and State Audit Office

This Tuesday Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle signed two financing agreements worth €21m to support public finances reform in Georgia and to strengthen the role and capacities of the Parliament, according to a press release from the European Commission.

The financing agreement to support Georgia’s reform of public finance policy will contribute to good governance and further strengthen government services' delivery and the accountability of the public sector. It will promote transparency, while increasing efficiency and effectiveness of planning and governmental spending.

"Civil society will be informed and consulted. All this should ultimately lead to better management of public spending and accountability towards the Georgian citizens," said Commissioner Füle, saying that this program creates a new mechanism to allow the Parliament to make recommendations on the state budget.

This third wave of EU support to the Georgian Public Finance Management builds on two successful previous programmes totalling €26 million. For the first time, this new programme will not only involve the Ministry of Finance, but also work with the Parliament and the State Audit Office, thus increasing accountability.

The financing agreement to strengthen the system of parliamentary democracy in Georgia is worth €1,5m and will help the Parliament to develop new capacities in the system of government oversight, strengthen its policy making capacity and enhance its role in the European integration process.

Parliamentary leadership, as well as parliamentary commissions will be helped to perform policy-making and oversight function more effectively. Parliamentary committees, including Human Rights, Agriculture, Environment, Health and Social Affairs will be coached to improve their budgetary and audit oversight.

Commissioner Füle said, "This is a clear expression of our interest in strengthening the democracy in Georgia. To have strong, capable parliament is very important, particularly when we are witnessing challenging times with some neighbours acting in complete disregard of international laws and norms."

Press release

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