Irakli Gharibashvili Addresses Government Decree Publication Practices
By Liza Mchedlidze
Friday, February 16, 2024
Georgian Dream Chairman Irakli Gharibashvili discussed the practice of publishing government decrees and stated that this practice was already in place when he became Prime Minister, and he hasn't spent much time on changing it. He emphasized that there's no international standard mandating the publication of all decrees.
"I encountered such a practice in the government, and I haven't spent much time on changing it. Firstly, there is no established international standard that requires all decrees to be published. This is not a mandatory rule or practice. We have studied examples from many countries, such as the USA and European countries. Do you think everything is transparent?
"Why have you never asked before, as the media? Let me remind you that I served as prime minister for three years. Can you recall a single instance when you asked for a copy of this or that decree? Of course, I would have shared it with you," Gharibashvili stated.
Gharibashvili stated that the government had not hidden any information and that it would be made public in case of an appeal.
"I did not make any illegal decisions during my prime ministership. I have not taken any decisions against the interests of the country and people. I have never hidden any information.
Honestly, I will explain it to you simply: my position was as follows - when the most corrupt, most closed, anti-European, anti-Georgian former government representatives, representatives of the United National Movement, and their satellites asked me for this or that information, I protested. Of course, all this was political, and naturally, our reaction was appropriate.
Of course, we responded and acted in accordance with the law, but I want to tell you that there was no obligation to do so," said Gharibashvili.
