Speaker says Georgia needs no lobbying; achievements in Georgian-U.S. relations are our best defence

“I cannot tell you what this is based on or what factual preconditions underlie such statements. On behalf of the Georgian government, I can say that we are not planning any lobbying and do not need it,” stated the Speaker of Georgia’s Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili.

Papuashvili was asked about an article in The Hill, according to which “the head of a Texas oil company is lobbying against the adoption of a sanctions bill against Georgia”. According to the article, Steve Nicandros, founder and chief executive of the American energy company, is urging Republican congressmen to take a position against the MEGOBARI Act.

According to Shalva Papuashvili, the Georgian people require no defence whatsoever; their greatest protection lies in Georgia’s achievements in Georgian-American relations.

“We have said that the Georgian people have done much to demonstrate in Georgian-American relations that we are a country that wants not only to receive benefits, to have benefits for itself in this relationship, but is ready to stand beside those with whom it has a strategic partnership. We have stood beside the American people and the American government on numerous occasions.

We heard Denmark’s statement regarding its participation in Afghanistan. Let me remind you that amongst non-NATO countries, Georgia was represented in Afghanistan with the largest military contingent.

Secondly, Georgia was fourth in terms of contingent size even amongst NATO member countries.

Thirdly, on a per capita basis, Georgia lost the most soldiers in this war, where we fought side by side with the Americans.

When we encounter anti-Georgian rhetoric in response, whether from the Helsinki Commission or individual congressmen, it reflects a lack of appreciation on their part for the Georgian people’s contribution to our shared cause and our solidarity.

I am not familiar with their internal political issues; those are for them to resolve. Generally, we believe that the system itself is flawed when, through lobbying efforts – something that has often led to scandals in the USA – various interests pursue actions not driven by genuine political motivation or ideas, but by the promise of some benefit. However, I cannot comment further on that.

What matters is that, even regarding the Helsinki Commission, the anti-Georgian rhetoric must cease so that our relations can be reset,” Shalva Papuashvili stated.

When asked, “Is there some informal arrangement with Georgian Dream, or why is Steve Nicandros lobbying so selflessly?”, Papuashvili replied:

“Absolutely not. I’m not sure how accurate the article’s claims are, or whether they are incorrect. We have no connection to this matter whatsoever, and the Georgian people need no defence or representation. The best defence of the Georgian people is what we have achieved in Georgian-American relations; it simply needs to be recognised, nothing more. So that the role Georgia has played in strengthening this strategic partnership is understood. Therefore, the Georgian people have nothing that requires defending.”