Georgian ruling party MP slams British Ambassador’s announcement of freeze in dialogue format as “electoral interference”

Archil Gorduladze, a member of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Tuesday questioned the timing of British Ambassador Gareth Ward’s comments on freezing of the high-level Wardrop Dialogue format between the two countries, suggesting potential “interference” in domestic politics weeks before Georgia’s general elections in the move.

In an interview with Interpressnews this week, the diplomat announced the freezing of the format for the first time since its inception in 2014. He also noted cancellation of planned high-level defence talks and suspension of a new cybersecurity initiative, attributing the measures to concerns over Georgia's political direction under the current administration.

In his press comments, the MP responded by saying the Ambassador’s statements “may constitute interference in Georgia's internal affairs” to “sway voter sentiment” ahead of the October 26 parliamentary vote.  

He further noted the latest session of the annual Dialogue -  named after Sir Oliver Wardrop, one of the first UK diplomats in Georgia - which encompasses foreign affairs, defence, security, trade, and the economy had been scheduled for June before its postponement due to the most recent elections in the UK.

It is very interesting why the British Ambassador remembered the suspension two weeks before the [Georgian] elections”, Gorduladze asked, claiming such actions were “counterproductive”. 

The lawmaker also asserted the Georgian public would “give due evaluation to such actions”, adding, “when you provide information by distorting the facts at this time, what else should we think if not that it is gross interference in our country's affairs?”