Gov’t “never attacks, only responds” to “absurd, unfounded claims” by “certain MEPs” - ruling party head

Irakli Kobakhidze, the head of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Tuesday claimed domestic authorities had “never attacked” MEPs and “only responded” to “absurd, unfounded claims” by “certain” European lawmakers. 

In his comments while presenting a report on the implementation of the European Union candidacy conditions, Kobakhidze said allegations raised by MEPs, including Anna Fotyga, about the presence of political prisoners in the country, and calls for sanctions on Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of GD and the former PM, for his alleged affiliation with the Kremlin, meant “attacks on Georgia’s national interests”. 

In such situations we have to respond to absurd and unfounded allegations”, Kobakhidze said, claiming the authorities had “never faced any controversy” with representatives of the European Union’s executive branches, “unlike the legislative branch”. 

Kobakhidze claimed an unspecified high-ranking EU official had requested GD not to proceed with its disputes with MEPs in a closed door meeting, adding he had accepted the request on the condition that MEPs would make “no attacks”. 

No such attacks were [then] made for two months, and no comments were made [in response from Georgia]. This means that if there are no attacks, we make no [responding] comments”, Kobakhidze said. 

He also added EU officials were urging the Georgian authorities to “ignore” the MEPs’ assessments, as unlike the European Commission and the European Council, the European Parliament made “no decisions” on Georgia’s European integration.