Some NGOs have made a joint statement in response to the government's decision to refrain from accepting the EU's financial assistance.
The statement says that the signatory parties voice concerns over the prime minister's statement, saying that the government restrains from accepting the financial support of EUR 75 million by the EU, with this constituting a refusal to implement reforms in the judicial system and demonstrating Georgia's readiness to veer from the Euro-Atlantic path.
According to the statement, the Georgian government decided 'to reduce the amount of its external debt,' part of which in PM Gharibashvili's words, would have been the 75 million assistance by the EU, as it 'was the debt Georgia would have to pay back.' However, the statement goes on to say that the 75 million aid is part of the EUR 150 million, which must have been transferred to Georgia at the end of 2021 if the government passed the corresponding reforms as the prerequisite for its integration within the EU.
''The Georgian Dream's move to declare the 19 April statement revoked and Prime Minister Gharibashvili's statement released today indicates that the ruling party once again refuses to meet the obligations assumed before the EU, including the implementation of the judicial reform and by doing so, it obstructs the country's democratic development, tarnishes its international reputation and endangers its Euro-Atlantic prospects," the statement concludes.
Different NGOs such s GDI, TI, IDSD, HRC, GRASS, the Union of Democrat Mesks sign the statement in the end.
On 31 August, Irakli Gharibashvili said that Georgia would no longer face the need to receive this financial assistance from the EU.
Georgian Dream ChairpersonIrakli Kobakhidze also declared that receiving financial support of EUR 75 million from the EU is no longer important for Georgia.
