On 9 July 2024, GRECO published its 5th Round Evaluation Report on Georgia, in which the country is urged to take determined measures to prevent corruption in respect of persons with top executive functions (PTEFs) and law enforcement officials.

GRECO stated that Georgia has taken only a few positive steps in recent years, e.g., the adoption of the Law on Combatting Corruption. A fairly comprehensive, transparent system for the declaration of assets and financial interests is in place.

Georgia should adopt a specific strategy to prevent corruption within the executive, a specific code of conduct for PTEFs, and guidelines on conflicts of interest. Lobbying regulations are in place, but not enforced in practice. A risk-based approach in the process of selection of declarations of assets and financial interests to be monitored needs to be developed. Operational independence of the newly established Anti-Corruption Bureau should be increased.

Recommendations with regard to law enforcement include the establishment of an operational anti-corruption strategy and the introduction of regular background checks/vetting on police officers’ exposure to corruption risks.