Civil Georgia
March 23, 2022

CSOs Slam Gov’t over “Vague, Inconsistent Rhetoric” on Ukraine War

Twenty-two local civil society organizations said today the Georgian Government’s “vague and inconsistent rhetoric” on Russia’s war against Ukraine raises doubts on its credibility and allegiance as a partner of the West.

Arguing that Russia’s invasion has united most of the world behind Ukraine and created a “historic chance” for Georgia to solidify its place within the West, the CSOs outlined steps for ruling Georgian Dream and the Government to implement the country’s strategic “interests fully and clearly.”

The GD must “openly and unequivocally” declare Georgia’s support for Ukraine and abandon its stance that “harms the country’s international reputation,” the third sector said.

The signatories also urged the Government to clearly voice Georgia’s commitment to comply with the international sanctions regime against Russia.

The GD should immediately stop intimidating and demoralizing its citizens with the possibility of Russian war against Georgia, the civil society organizations asserted.

The signatories claimed such rhetoric has become “a clear propaganda line,” not only of the GD members but also its affiliates.

The third sector also saw it necessary for the Government to hold an extended meeting of the National Security Council with the participation of President Salome Zurabishvili and the opposition amid the war in Ukraine.

The signatories also called for a parliamentary discussion – involving GD, opposition, Government officials and experts – to assess the effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and retaliatory sanctions on the Georgian economy and seek solutions.

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The signatories include Transparency International (TI) Georgia, International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED), Open Society Georgia Foundation (OSGF), UN Association of Georgia (UNAG), among others.

The statement comes as the Georgian Dream government has received widespread criticism over its controversial rhetoric on Russia’s war against Ukraine.

PM Garibashvili has faced resignation calls, over his remarks that sanctions were not an effective measure and that there was “no one to stop the bombing of Kyiv.”

Meanwhile, the Georgian PM has decried pro-Ukraine, anti-Government protests as “anti-state rallies.”

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Agenda.ge
March 23, 2022

Ruling party MP slams NGOs statement calling for Gov’t position on Ukraine as “incomprehensible”

Guram Macharashvili, an MP from the Georgian Dream ruling party, has slammed a joint statement by a number of Georgian non-governmental organisations calling for a “clear position” in support of Ukraine “incomprehensible”, pointing to the Government’s positions at international institutions as efficient demonstrations of support for the country amid the Russian invasion.

Commenting on the statement released by 22 NGOs on Wednesday , Macharashvili said the organisations “do not understand” that statements made by the Government at the United Nations, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the International Criminal Court are “more damaging” to Russia than calls made “on the level of the Security Council” of the ruling party.

In their statement, the group of NGOs had demanded from the Georgian Government to take a “clear position in support of Ukraine” and “clearly state commitment to the international sanctions regime” imposed by the Western countries to Russia as a response of its invasion of Ukraine last month.

Georgia has “publicly stated its position against Russia” and made clear its pro-Ukraine positions, Macharashvili said, adding “most of the Georgian society thinks more intelligently” in reference to the non-governmental organisations.

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Agenda.ge
March 23, 2022

Georgian PM, USAID Deputy Administrator discuss US-Georgia strategic partnership

The strategic partnership between the United States and Georgia was discussed at a meeting between Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili and Isobel Coleman, the Deputy Administrator for Policy and Programs at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), on Wednesday.

Garibashvili and Coleman highlighted the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Georgia and the US – marked this year – and pointed to the “strong strategic partnership based on common values and interests”, the Government Administration said.

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Garibashvili also called Georgia “the closest and most reliable partner of the US in the region”, adding the country was “committed” to further strengthening the strategic partnership “in all areas of cooperation”.

The PM also noted USAID’s “invaluable contribution” to strengthening Georgia’s democratic institutions, supporting economic growth and the country’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations through various programmes.

Garibashvili and Coleman also discussed the ongoing hostilities in Ukraine and the resulting “difficult” security situation in the Black Sea region.