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Statement of Kutaisi-Based NGOs

2013-02-28 07:56
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We, the below signatories, feel obligated to make the following statement about the developments in self-governing city of Kutaisi:

1. Committed to maintain a complete political neutrality, we call on all parties involved in the political processes to observe the Georgian legislation and international obligations of Georgia; treat themselves and public in general with respect and conduct political processes in a peaceful and constructive manner; 

2. We call on the self-government of Kutaisi and the central authorities, to reach constructive mode of cooperation on issues important for the city and the country. Not to allow going into deadlock of relations between the central and the municipal authorities, which first and foremost is damaging to public interests; 
 
3. We would like to reiterate once more the importance of meaningful decentralization in Georgia. To this end, effective model of decentralization must be elaborated with active involvement of all parties, practicing of which will ensure optimal distribution between the central and local authorities of functions and obligations as well as financial and property resources necessary for discharging these obligations; 
 
4. Kutaisi, similar to any other city and municipality, needs municipal bodies that are of optimal size, mobile and well-organized, staffed with highly qualified individuals as opposed to proxies of a political party (or parties), who will be provided with due (dignified) remuneration. We deem immediate launch of optimization of self-government agencies in Kutaisi necessary, with active involvement of civil society.  
 
5. We call on the representative and executive municipal authorities to recruit staff in observance of the law on public service, based on a competition, and post information about openings on the website of municipal self-government as well as media; 
 
6. We call upon the self-government of Kutaisi to publish detailed information on a monthly basis, within five days after the month is over, about spending from the City Hall’s reserve fund. Further, it should provide public proactively with substantiation of all spending from the municipal budget that have arisen or will arise high public interest; 
7. We deem it expedient to determine threshold of administrative expenses in line with budget income. The threshold must be initially determined under the resolution of Sakrebulo and afterwards, the issue of making corresponding amendment to the Budget Code of Georgia must be raised; 
 
8. Start working on the draft municipal budget 2014 in the nearest future, in order to allow for adequate time for formation of municipal budget comprehensively, based on individual programs, where each program will be accompanied with clear substantiation, clearly formulated goals and objectives, concrete timeframe for implementation of these activities, persons and/or services responsible for carrying out individual activities and implementation of the program as a whole, and most importantly, precisely determined outcomes to be achieved and their quantitative and qualitative evaluation. Further, maximum involvement of interested parties must be ensured; 
 
9. We stand ready to cooperate with all sides who will share the foregoing proposals and to participate actively in their implementation in practice in view of interests of the city and the country. 
 
1. Imereti office of the Georgian Young Economists’ Association
2. Kutaisi office of the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association
3. Kutaisi regional office of the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy
4. Liberal Club
5. Rioni TV and Radio Company
6. Local Democracy Agency Georgia
7. Cultural and Humanitarian Foundation Sokhumi
8. Foundation of Women Enterpreneurs
9. Assosiation Asa
10. New Civil Thinking +
11. Scientific Intellectual Club Dialogue of Generations
12. Regional Development Network
13. Apkhazinterconti Foundation
14. Inter Georgia in service of couples and life 
15. Association Women for the Development of Regions