The Parliament will make the decision necessary for the people, and these recent events have once again highlighted the importance of the “Transparency of Foreign Influence” law to ensure transparency in foreign funding, stated Shalva Papuashvili, the Georgian Parliament Speaker.

Papuashvili emphasized that the concept of “people” transcends individual groups, and the Parliament should do what is good for the country and its people.

“The events of 2022 demonstrated how various groups mobilized citizens for different causes, such as demanding the release of volunteer fighters to Ukraine, imposing sanctions on Russia, or releasing Mikheil Saakashvili. However, ultimate decisions are made through the electoral process, where people grant mandates to their representatives. The recent events have underscored the necessity for transparency in foreign financing, reaffirming the importance of such legislation,” he declared.

Papuashvili affirmed that the government of Georgia primarily acts based on the interests of the Georgian people, and external opinions are not decisive. According to him, transparency is the key European principle.

“The problem arises when we adhere to dogmas—focusing on who made a statement rather than the validity of the argument itself. Relying solely on influential entities would lead to disastrous outcomes, such as imposing sanctions or releasing Mikheil Saakashvili, merely because external pressures dictate so. We must prioritize what is best for the Georgian people,” Speaker said.