International expert assists Georgian Gov’t with donor cooperation

The Administration of the Government of Georgia is striving to strengthen cooperation with donors to increase the effectiveness of the Government’s work after consultations with high-level international expert Ad Melkert.

Melkert, a former Dutch cabinet minister and top official of the World Bank and the United Nations (UN), visited Tbilisi to give advisory assistance to the country’s Donor Coordination Unit as the country undergoes major reform.

The Donor Coordination Unit is an arm of the Department of Policy Analysis, Strategic Planning and Coordination at the Administration, which was established this year and aimed to promote a more effective functioning of the Government.

Melkert believed enhancing cooperation with donors would enable the Government, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, to set out priorities and directions for support by donor countries and multilateral organisations, in line with international agreements.

"The financial resources made available by donors will be used for the best interests of the future of Georgia and the Georgian people,” Melkert said after meeting with Government Administration representatives.

"This requires a clear mandate for coordination between all ministries on behalf of the Prime Minister and a clear commitment by donor organisations to respond to Georgia’s priorities.”

Melkert stressed he was optimistic that 2015 would mark a new era of cooperation under Georgian leadership and that he expected the Georgian cabinet would soon decide about the working procedures and responsibilities.