USAID Georgia: In “constant communication” with Georgian Gov’t “on how it supports” country’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations

The United States Agency for International Development representation in Georgia on Saturday said the Agency was “in constant and transparent communication” with the Government of Georgia on how its programmes were supporting the country’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

Earlier today, Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili said Beka Mindiashvili, the Head of the Tolerance Centre, a project funded by the USAID, was “orchestrating a campaign attacking on religious grounds instead of promoting religious tolerance”, and called on USAID to “clarify the matter and act in the best interest of both American and Georgian people”.

• Georgian Parliament Speaker urges all donors to refrain from funding those who violate human rights

In comments to the Public Broadcaster, the USAID representative responded to Papuashvili’s statement, noting that the United States Government, through the Agency, worked with “many organisations [in Georgia]” to support tolerance.

Papuashvili also urged all international donors in the country to “proactively ensure” that their funds align with shared values in human rights and to avoid support for projects and individuals fostering societal radicalisation amid the absence of legislation on foreign funding transparency.