US Coordinator on Global Anti-corruption Richard Nephew visited Georgia and held meetings with representatives of the government, anti-corruption institutions, and investigative bodies.

The officials discussed current efforts and challenges in the fight against corruption, as well as identified areas for further cooperation. Nephew also met the Speaker of the Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili in the legislative body. US Ambassador Robin Dunnigan is also present at the meeting. He also met with representatives of anti-corruption institutions and investigative bodies in Georgia. The US State Department coordinator for global anti-corruption issues visited Georgia yesterday.

After the meeting with representatives of Georgian civil society, Tina Khidasheli, chairperson of the organization "Civic Idea" and former Minister of Defense, argued that corruption is a matter of national security for Georgia, especially elite corruption, especially when the companies of our unfriendly neighboring state are involved in the manifestations of corruption. According to Khidasheli, the high-ranking American official was introduced to the cases identified by "Civil Idea."

In addition, as Tina Khidasheli pointed out, today, a new component is entering Georgia in the form of Chinese companies, and Sinohydro's case is a good example. "The meeting turned out to be very interesting, and it is always important to have such type of meetings for the exchange of information. I believe that corruption is a national security issue for Georgia, especially elite corruption, especially when the manifestations of corruption involve companies and various people from our unfriendly neighboring state. Today, a new component is entering Georgia in the form of Chinese companies, which also poses a very serious threat to the country's security. Therefore, of course, when we talk about corruption in Georgia, it is no longer just a matter of give and take. The issues discussed today are mainly about strategic corruption when the country's security is threatened and when corruption becomes a topic of national security. We are always trying to keep our partners informed as much as possible because the Georgian state needs serious help - it is 2024, the election campaign will start soon, the government will start spending huge amounts of money from the state budget for party interests, for election tasks, and of course, this requires daily and minute-by-minute support. Monitoring to avoid the worst consequences that will hit this country hard in the next four years.

Of course, examples are always needed to make your points convincing, so the government gave us a wonderful gift with the Sinohydro case, and we can cite that and end the conversation suddenly because it shows how bad things can go when one thing goes wrong. You will make a decision at the beginning. Therefore, starting with the departure of Mr. Garibashvili's son to America and continuing with strategic corruption cases affecting Chinese companies, we talked about everything at this meeting," – said Khidasheli.

Khidasheli also added that another issue discussed at the meeting with the US officials was the anti-corruption agency. "We talked about the problems that followed the reform. The main two directions that should have been in reality - the independence of the agency and investigative authority, are not in the face, the Venice Commission also pointed out to us, and a very clear and open note appeared in their assessment, and naturally, it was discussed".