Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee Deputy: “radical opposition” “probing” issue of Georgian neutrality with “direct reference” from Russia

The “radical opposition” in Georgia is “probing” the issue of neutrality of Georgia, presumably with “direct reference” from Russia, Giorgi Khelashvili, the First Deputy Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, said at a bureau meeting of the Parliament on Tuesday.

Khelashvili made a reference to the imprisoned former president Mikheil Saakashvili’s recent comments that mentioned neutrality of the country, adding the reference was “obviously coming from outside the country” to spark domestic discussions on “this very dangerous topic”. 

The Deputy Chairman of the committee called on “responsible politicians” not to follow the United National Movement opposition party in “probing” the question of neutrality in Georgia, highlighting the Constitution of the country that indicated it intends to join NATO. 

"It is legally fixed in our legislation and the Constitution - Georgia is, was and will remain a pro-Western country," Khelashvili said in his criticism of the statements on the status of neutrality for the country.

On Tuesday, Gia Volski, the ruling party MP and Vice Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, said Georgia would not start “talking about military neutrality” in the wake of the war in Ukraine, as “a lot of energy and human life has been invested” in strengthening the country’s NATO membership path.

Volski said the Georgian Government had “high hopes” the country’s path to NATO membership would be safe, with international partners being able to provide security for Georgia.