Prime Minister Kobakhidze Calls for Public Dialogue with Foreign Diplomats on 'Russian Law' Criticisms
By Liza Mchedlidze
Monday, April 15, 2024
The Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has issued a letter addressing criticism from foreign diplomats regarding 'Russian law'. He extended an invitation for a public dialogue to discuss these concerns. Kobakhidze accused diplomats of actively intervening in the country's political discourse, attempting to assume a legislative role by dictating which laws parliament should adopt or reject.
"Although this practice of replacing the political opposition does not meet the standards of diplomacy, given the paucity of the political and intellectual resources of the opposition, we can treat it with some understanding.
However, we cannot understand the widespread practice when foreign diplomats cannot respond to our arguments behind closed doors with counterarguments and still make groundless political statements in the public space," the statement reads.
The Prime Minister noted that the criticism from several foreign diplomats regarding the Russian law lacked any arguments or justification. He expressed concern that 'unfounded' criticism from foreign diplomats could negatively impact societal perceptions of their respective countries, posing serious risks. He emphasized the importance of Georgian society maintaining trust in partner countries, labeling it as their duty and responsibility.
"Unfounded criticism, often heard from foreign diplomats, is generalized by society to their respective countries, entailing serious risks. Georgian society must maintain trust in partner countries, which is our duty and responsibility to uphold.
Ambassadors periodically request closed meetings. We have never refused such meetings and are ready for them in the future.
However, due to the non-transparent political discussion surrounding the draft law "On transparency of foreign influence," which harms the trust of Georgian society towards our partner countries, I suggest that the ambassadors of the United States of America, the European Union, and EU member states engage in a public discussion with us about this draft law.
I am sure that in the conditions of the live broadcast of the subject discussion between the leaders of the government and the ambassadors, the Georgian society will create a much clearer idea of the essence of the draft law and the need to adopt it for the protection of state sovereignty," Kobakhidze stated.
