Parliament official: refusal of donors to seek Gov't approval implies grants used against national interests

Archil Gorduladze, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament's Legal Affairs Committee, on Monday said that donors who refuse to seek approval from the Georgian Government for grant distribution are effectively admitting that the funds were not used in the country's best interests.

In his remarks regarding the bill on grants, Gorduladze noted that any organisation that refuses to submit a request for Government consent prior to issuing a grant is openly admitting that the funds were being used in a manner that may harm the country.

“We keep hearing from foreign donors and NGOs funded by them that the transferred funds serve noble goals. If that’s true, and if donors truly aim to support Georgia - which I not only doubt in many cases but know for a fact that some have malicious intentions toward our country - then, of course, they will contact the Government and request consent to issue grants”, he said.

“Those who claim that donors won’t reach out to the Government are openly admitting that the funds and grants sent by foreign donors were not in the best interests of Georgia. Otherwise, why would it be an issue to go through the proper channels and obtain consent?” the official concluded.

The Legal Affairs Committee held a first hearing on amendments to the Law on Political Associations of Citizens, addressing the issue of grant disbursement.

The draft law introduces a requirement to obtain consent from the Government or an authorised body designated by it. The aim, according to lawmakers, is to protect and strengthen state sovereignty.