by creating an Anti-Corruption Bureau, the authorities will not comply with the recommendation of the EC

The non-governmental organization Transparency International-Georgia believes that the new bill developed by the ruling party, according to which an Anti-Corruption Bureau should be created in the country, does not meet the recommendations of the European Commission.

According to the organization, the planned reform does not take into account many key anti-corruption functions, does not guarantee the real independence of the bureau, and does not contribute to the fight against corruption at a high level.

“The implementation of the proposed reform cannot be considered the implementation of the recommendation, which may deprive the country of the possibility of obtaining candidate status,” the NGO said.

The organization noted that the fourth recommendation of the European Commission would be considered fulfilled if the authorities supported the document developed by TI and the opposition in 2020.

“There is still enough time until the end of 2022 to fully implement the recommendations given to Georgia by the European Commission, which will bring the country the status of an EU candidate and strengthen its democratic future,” the organization said.