European Integration Committee Chair welcomes ‘rational approach’ in US Congress regarding MEGOBARI Act

“Attempts to harm Georgia–US relations will continue, but it is encouraging that many in Congress and the Senate take a sensible view of the situation,” said Levan Makhashvili, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on European Integration.

Makhashvili commented on reporting by The Hill, which stated that Senate Majority Leader John Thune declined House Speaker Mike Johnson’s request to include the MEGOBARI Act in the National Defense Authorization Act.

“It is already laughable to keep discussing the MEGOBARI Act. Naturally, they will not stop today or tomorrow. They will constantly try to create a negative agenda about Georgia in the United States and damage Georgia–US relations,” Makhashvili stated.

He noted that Georgia welcomes the fact that there are members of Congress and the Senate who are approaching the issue rationally and who understand that such initiatives could undermine bilateral ties.

“It is also very encouraging that there are people in Congress and the Senate who look at this process sensibly and are trying not to limit the capabilities of the United States or damage American relations with Georgia. I hope that in the future there will be even more such people who will prevent attempts to harm Georgia’s interests,” he said.

According to Makhashvili, these lawmakers recognize that the MEGOBARI Act is a manipulative document aimed at harming bilateral relations, while recent developments offer a hopeful first step toward resetting Georgia–US relations.

“This is not a final decision. We will wait to see when such signals are translated into concrete actions. If such a decision is made, we are ready to reset bilateral relations with new energy and interest,” Makhashvili added.