Brussels, 05/03/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 4 March, Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Füle signed two agreements to support the reform of public finances in Georgia and to strengthen the role and capacities of the Georgian Parliament. At the end of his meeting with Georgia's Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, Füle underlined the importance of consolidating democratic institutions and strengthening the inclusive nature of the political process and the reform process.
The support for Georgia's reform of public finance policy, worth €21 million, will contribute to good governance and will strengthen government services' delivery and the accountability of the public sector. It will promote transparency, according to the European Commission, while increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of planning and governmental spending. For the first time, the programme will not only involve the Ministry of Finance, but also the Parliament, which will be able to make recommendations on the State budget, and the State Audit Office. Civil society will also be informed and consulted.
A sum of €1.5 million will be dedicated to strengthening parliamentary democracy, helping the Parliament to develop new capacities in the system of government oversight and enhance its role in the European integration process. As is the situation for Ukraine, the association agreement between the EU and Georgia should not be the final step in their cooperation, Füle stated.
Georgian government invited to Brussels. European Commission President José Manuel Barroso - who is due to visit Georgia in June - invited Garibashvili and the main Georgian ministers (through Füle) to travel to Brussels for a joint meeting with the College of the European Commission. This is normally reserved for member states' governments. (CG)