Anti-corruption training in Georgia
Ensuring that resources allocated for defence and security are used effectively is the focus of high-level anti-corruption training courses organised by NATO and the Georgian Ministry of Defence.
At a ceremony held at the Georgian Ministry of Defence on 2 May, Deputy Minister of Defence Tamar Karosanidze and the Head of the NATO Liaison Office in Georgia Mr William Lahue signed a Memorandum of Understanding entitled, “Supporting Training Courses on Building Integrity (BI) in Defence and Security Areas”. The agreement provides a framework for training which meets NATO standards and is the result of successful cooperation between two capacity-building programmes: the BI Programme and the Professional Development Programme.
“This memorandum provides the Ministry of Defence with guidelines for cooperation and capacity to implement training and education activities for its officers and civilians,” said Mr Lahue. “The Ministry of Defence covers a leading position in countering corruption within its own structures, ensuring this way that the resources of the Georgian people and of Georgia are spent effectively and for the purpose of defending this country,” he added.
Meeting after the ceremony, participants of the pilot course, “Building integrity (BI) and minimising the risks of corruption” highlighted the importance of training and education activities.
“In future we will be able to streamline this course and NATO experts will help us in this effort. The Ministry of Defence of Georgia will see high-level anti-corruption training courses organised for its employees. This will have a very positive impact on effective management and transparency in both short and long- term perspectives”, said Minister Karosanidze.