The Georgian Dream, Georgia's ruling party, intends to accelerate the process of amending the Law on Grants. The parliamentary session to consider the amendments is set to begin on 17 April, after which the amendments will undergo committee hearings. The amendments will apply to embassies, consulates, and international organisations.

According to the amendments, funds issued by diplomatic missions accredited in Georgia and consular institutions, as well as representatives of international organisations, will not be considered grants.

The same rule applies if the funds are used, or could be used, for activities stemming from the political or public interests of a foreign government or political party, or if they are directly related to the activities of the diplomatic mission itself.

In the explanatory note, the authors write that 'the current wording of the law does not apply to the aforementioned relationship, but in order to ensure a uniform reading of the law, it is advisable to clarify it accordingly'.

'The representation of an international organisation, as well as a diplomatic mission/consular post, by its very nature serves to protect and promote the interests of the relevant entity (international organisation or sending state) in the host state. In their activities, the political or public interests, approaches or relations of the sending entity often occupy a central place,' says the explanatory note prepared on the amendments to the Law 'On Grants'.

Members of Georgia's ruling party argue that the amendments to the Law on Grants concern the amounts that embassies and consulates of foreign countries receive from their respective governments and spend directly on the activities of diplomatic missions.