Speaker welcomes US invitation to counter-terrorism summit, says Georgia has much to convey about political radicalisation and terrorism

“Broadly speaking, this is a highly significant conference addressing the issue of political terrorism. We have a great deal to share on what radicalisation, extremism, and terrorism in politics actually look like,” declared the Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, Shalva Papuashvili.

Papuashvili was asked to comment on the significance of Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili’s participation in the Washington ministerial summit on ‘The Resurgence of Political Terrorism’, following a direct invitation from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

“In this day and age, violence, radicalism, and extremism verging on terrorism are being weaponised as tools of foreign interference. They are used to radicalise specific societal groups, who are then mobilised against governments and nations, to allow foreign powers to enforce their own agendas abroad.

Indeed, we have witnessed funds being funnelled into Georgia for precisely this purpose, to map out coup and revolution scenarios, foment radicalisation, and train groups in methods of radical protest. The direct consequence of this was the violent attempt to storm the Presidential Palace, the plot to burn down the Parliament, and other similar actions. This illustrates with absolute clarity where political terrorism ultimately leads.

Georgia will undoubtedly make its voice heard at this conference. Significantly, the new United States administration is actively interested in Georgia’s participation and eager to hear our perspective,” Papuashvili stated.

The ministerial summit on ‘The Resurgence of Political Terrorism’ is currently underway in Washington, where Maka Botchorishvili, Georgia’s Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, is also scheduled to deliver an address.