Over the past few weeks, the public has been observing the dispute taking place between Tbilisi City Hall and the City Council in connection with the approval of the city budget. A meeting with NGOs over this issue was held in the City Council on January 31, at which the City council Chairperson tried to explain the reasons behind the rejection of the budget.

The situation created as a result of stalling the process is detrimental to the work of the City Hall as well as the interests of the citizenry. We, therefore, express our readiness to engage, within our capacity, in negotiations between the Tbilisi City Hall and City Council concerning the approval of the city budget. We believe that the sides should act in the best interests of Tbilisi residents and adopt the city budget within the shortest possible time. Further protraction of the budget approval could significantly deter the delivery of public services to the population.

Transparency International Georgia and International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy express our willingness to meet the representatives of both the City Council and the City Hall, hear their specific arguments, and assist them, within our capacity, in reaching a consensus. Our only drive in so doing is to give the parties specific professional advice and help them reconcile their positions to bring about the timely approval of the city budget meeting the public interests.