“Groundless statements and the attempts on the part of our strategic partners, EU and its high-ranking officials to divide the government and people are regrettable,” said Beka Odisharia, Chair of the parliamentary Diaspora and Caucasus Affairs Committee.

Remarking on the June 24 statement by HR/VP Josep Borrell, Odisharia said the Georgian government is elected by the Georgian people and enjoys their “full trust.”

“Pedalling that the Georgian government should be punished for the law indirectly means punishing the Georgian people. It is not fair. Georgian society will not tolerate that. They state they are ready to support civil society. Who is against it? On the contrary, we would be glad, but would they make them transparent or in which direction they plan to increase their support? If this is propaganda and against our traditions, we will counter it by the law. We welcome if this support concerns scientific knowledge, technologies, expertise and institutional strengthening,” he said.

Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, on June 24 said that the EU would consider “putting a hold on our financial assistance to the Georgian government” but “would increase support to civil society and media.”