“We are not a poor and failed country dependent on subsidies from other countries. If our society is instilled with the feeling that somewhere someone has stopped funding and this is a disaster,” said Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili.

The Speaker remarked on the statement of the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken saying the US suspended USD 95 million aid to the Georgian government.

According to Shalva Papuashvili, some individuals consider friendship as a tool for pressure and this is not the correct attitude.

“The Embassy has not made an explanation about the money, I have no notion of what it is. This money does not go to the state budget. The Georgian government acts with its budget collected by the Georgian people. We are not a poor and failed country dependent on subsidies from other countries, if our society is instilled with the feeling that somewhere someone has stopped funding and this is a disaster now. This money has no connection with the budget,” he said.

Shalva Papuashvili further said that the government is responsible before its citizens.

“We, Georgian citizens create wealth and fill up the budget. The government, with this budget, cares about the progress that we have. If any foreign country wants to contribute to this success, it is welcome and we are always grateful for any support.

However, I have lately had a feeling that some consider friendship as a tool for pressure. This is an incorrect approach, including the decision of the European Union which we saw regarding the Georgian Defense Ministry after we rescued the EU in Central Africa. Such attitude is surprising,” he said.