Georgian PM highlights “unwavering values” at public rally in support of bill on transparency of foreign influence in Tbilisi

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday said Georgia was an “independent and sovereign state with unwavering values” when addressing a public rally in support of the domestic bill on transparency of foreign influence held outside the Parliament in the capital city of Tbilisi.

Announced by the ruling party last week, the rally was promoted by organisers as being held to “say yes to transparency”, amid ongoing protests against the reintroduced bill which calls for the registration of non-commercial legal entities and media outlets in the country as “pursuing the interests of a foreign power” if they derive more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad.

• Public rally in support of bill on transparency of foreign influence underway in Tbilisi

Kobakhidze told the crowds the country wanted to become a member of the European Union “precisely with independence, sovereignty and values”, and noted “certain influential forces imagine the EU as a unity of non-sovereign, weak states, devoid of any identity and values”.

He noted the EU “could only be strong if it unites sovereign and decent states” said “national and religious identity, democracy and the rule of law as well as the moral values of society are properly respected”.

I believe that Georgia, as a worthy state which, based on its historical experience, particularly understands the price of independence and national identity, can make a special contribution to the strengthening of European sovereignty and values, to the revival of the EU as a sovereign and unity based on solid values”, he said.

He also said “those who aim to undermine the EU's sovereignty and values” had told the Government that integration into the bloc would be subject to the country “leaving the state’s sovereignty and traditional values at the door”.

If we give up morality, Church and faith, if we give up democracy and the rule of law, if we give up democratic elections and judicial independence, if we give up all the values that Europe was based on after the Second World War. When a country becomes a member of the EU, not only does the EU let that country into its home, but that country also lets the EU into its home. Therefore, Georgia has the full right to ask the EU to respect our sovereignty and values [...],” he added.

The head of the Government extended his gratitude to “those who stand on the side of Georgian sovereignty and right values, [and] where Georgia needed them”.

Thanks to the Georgian people who showed unprecedented wisdom and experience during these four years. In the most difficult moments, it was the correct position and support of the Georgian society that gave us the opportunity to protect the national interests of our country, not to allow the country to be destabilised, a foreign agency to return to power and a Ukrainisation of Georgia”, he said.

Kobakhidze pointed out the “correct position and support” of the public had “given rise to the possibility of protecting the country's national interests”.