Russia is occupier, Georgia can’t give up Euro-Atlantic integration - Parliament Vice Speaker

Russia is an occupier and it is impossible for Georgia to act like that country in any way, Gia Volski, the Vice Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, told journalists on Saturday, noting Georgia could not “give up” on the Euro-Atlantic integration process, as it has been the choice of Georgian people.

Volski said the Euro-Atlantic integration was “essential” to ensure the “proper development and security” of Georgia and anyone who would reject the demand [European integration] of Georgian people would “lose their power” [in government].

He also responded to Ned Price, the Spokesperson for the United States Department of State, who had said the adoption of the bill on transparency of foreign influence [proposed by People's Power, a public movement composed of former members of the ruling Georgian Dream party] would “potentially jeopardise” Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic future and expressed concern about the consequences that could result from the adoption of the law.

Volski noted he could not understand why Western partners thought the bill, regardless of its content, would bring the same consequences as it brought in Russia and once again stressed Georgia would never be similar to Russia “in any activity”.

The bill on transparency involves the registration of non-commercial legal entities and media outlets as “agents of foreign influence” if they derive more than 20 percent of their income from abroad and was supported at the first hearing by the Foreign Relations and Defence Committees on Thursday.