On February 22, 2011 was held the meeting of the Georgian Government. The agenda included 66 items.
Before the meeting started, the Prime Minister of Georgia, Nika Gilauri, talked about reorganization of the Ministry of Environment Protection and Natural Resources of Georgia. We present the Prime Minister's speech:
"Good day. During the recent period, there is much talk about reorganization of the Ministry of Environment Protection and Natural Resources of Georgia. Before we start the government meeting, I would like to give the public a piece of news about this process.
During this period, we have consulted with the president, as well as with ministers, members of the Parliament and Heads of different Committees. The version submitted to the Parliament was coordinated with all of them. Reorganization includes the following: the function of survey of natural resources and licensing shall be separated from the Ministry of Environment Protection and Natural Resources and the latter shall be transformed into the Ministry of Environment Protection. On the contrary, it will have a function of stricter control, as it will be concentrated and focused on the issues of environment protection. It will not be engaged in selling and licensing natural resources. Consequently, the Ministry will implement stricter policy. As for natural resources, a separate Ministry will be formed, engaged in licensing and selling natural resources, conducting auctions and managing issues of electric energy. It will be a body disposing all natural resources and implementing this policy.
Two more functions will be separated from the Ministry of Environment Protection. One of them is shore protection works, which will be included in Ramaz Nikolaishvili's Ministry.
Together with the Roads Department, this body will carry out shore protection works. As for the issue of protected territories within the competence of the Ministry of Environment Protection, it will be included in the other Ministry, specifically, the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development. This is the formula we have coordinated with everyone; the formula, which will function much more effectively and be much better for the country. Ministries will implement their policies in different directions, i.e. with respect to natural resources as well as environment protection, more simply."
Prime Minister's Press Service