In recent years, Georgia has often been in the headlines due to positive issues, among which I can single out the issue of receiving the candidate status, important regional cooperation initiatives, and now being in the headlines because of this sad protest is a challenge, said Rolande Pryce, World Bank Regional Director for the South Caucasus. Pryce spoke to reporters at the 57th annual meeting of the Asian Development Bank, responding to a question about the Foreign Influence Transparency Bill.
According to her, Georgia was very focused on obtaining the candidate status of the European Union, and therefore the government should be careful about the steps taken on this path.
"What I can tell you about this matter is that we are watching the developments with great interest and it is very sad that there is now a protest going on. Georgia has been in the headlines for positive issues in recent years, among which I can single out the issue of getting candidate status, important regional cooperation initiatives, and now being in the headlines because of this sad protest is a challenge. I think the country has been very focused on EU candidacy, not only on membership of the Union, but also on economic growth and development in that regard. I think all these reasons are still there and therefore it is very important that the government and the country's leaders are careful about the next steps. I think that the reforms that were motivated by the EU candidacy are still relevant and I think it is important for Georgia to maintain this course so as not to jeopardize it.
We need to assess the possible impact of this law on the work we do in Georgia. I think you should ask the representatives of the European Union what effect this law will have on relations with the European Union. The World Bank is more concerned with issues of economic development in Georgia, the growth of poverty and, finally, with the creation of prosperity for Georgia and Georgians, and I know that the Georgian government is also thinking about this. I would like them to continue working on these directions, what reforms should be carried out and what path should be chosen to create prosperity in Georgia", said Rolande Pryce.
