"Although substantial steps have been taken to strengthen the self-government, I think challenges still remain ahead. Our Committee is actively working on a decentralization strategy and further implementation of the strategy to strengthen the local self-government. Important steps have been taken by amending the law on the development of mountainous regions. Many important infrastructure projects have been implemented to strengthen the mountainous regions. More than 25,000 people have been granted status, but more steps need to be taken to have strong self-governments”, - Rustavi Single-Mandate MP, Nino Latsabidze stated at the offsite sitting of the Regional Policy and Self-Government Committee in Samtskhe-Javakheti region.

N. Latsabidze informed the participants about the implementation of the Organic Law of Georgia on Code of Local Self-Government and the Law of Georgia on Development of Mountainous Regions and expanded on the involvement of citizens in the activities of the municipality.

As she elucidated, the working group set up with the Committee, which works on citizen involvement issues, will develop a document that will guide municipalities to some extent and will be able to ensure the involvement of more people in the process of self-government.

At the meeting, the attendees heard information from the mayors and chairmen of the municipalities in the region about possible shortcomings and problems in the process of implementation of the Code of Local Self-Government and the Law on Development of Mountainous Regions.