“It is crucial that we hear directly from the European Union, its embassy, and the embassies of EU member states about whether they were financing a fraudulent scheme with European funds, and whether they were using fake NGOs to circumvent Georgian legislation and channel political money,” stated Georgia’s Parliament Speaker, Shalva Papuashvili, to journalists.

According to Papuashvili, foreign money has no business in Georgian politics because this is precisely what violates the international legal order and undermines the reputation of the European Union, amongst others.

“What we are witnessing is exactly what European Commissioner Kos has spoken about; they are seeking ways to channel funds to their NGOs by bypassing the law. These are precisely the methods they are employing; some they have already identified, while others are being devised through new schemes. I must emphasise that this constitutes an international fraud aimed at financing political activities in Georgia, circumventing Georgian legislation, and exerting influence over Georgia’s domestic and foreign policy. This is a fact today.

We can see how various European institutions are involved and how all of this is being facilitated. In one particular instance, where there is no official office whatsoever, fake NGOs are being registered that have no connection to non-commercial activity in Estonia. The purpose of these false NGOs is to serve as conduits for money, evading Georgian legislation.

I emphasise strongly that the Georgian people have entrusted us with the mandate to regulate and oversee the inflow of foreign funds into Georgian politics. In the 2024 elections, the Georgian electorate backed the transparency law, clearly signalling that foreign money has no place in Georgian political life. The source, be it Russian, German, French, Estonian, Dutch, or European Union funds, does not matter. No foreign money should influence Georgian politics. This is precisely what breaches the international legal order and damages the reputation of the European Union, among others.

There is a simple rule under the Law on Grants: if a foreign state or organisation wishes to spend money in Georgia on issues that influence the formation and execution of domestic and foreign policy, they should kindly ask the Georgian people. Brussels bureaucrats have told us they are not interested in the Georgian people and have no intention of consulting us on how the funds should be allocated. They regard this country as a subordinate, second-rate state, into which they feel entitled to enter and, like missionaries, forcibly impose their views and spend money in Georgia as they see fit. The response to this has been the properly initiated bills,” declared Shalva Papuashvili.