The executive director of the "Governance Systems Development Center" , Koka Kighuradze statesa number of consultations held over the years the government, NGOs and the local population in connection with the allocation of self -governing status to the cities .

According to Kighuradze opinion, abolishment of self-governing status for seven cities would be definitely a step backwards.
"Local government and local democracy is not only related to the direct election of mayors and governors. This is a very important component of local democracy and self-government, but the other important component is that the villages have their own government and the budget, and the city has its own government and its own budget, "- said Kighuradze.

According to him, this approach allows for the independent development of rural and urban areas .

Koka Kighuradze expressed willingness to take part in the consultations on this issue. According to him, it"s not too late to have consultations.