Georgian PM says country needs no ‘artificial intervention’ in internal affairs

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has stated that Georgia does not need any “artificial intervention” in its internal affairs, stressing that the fate of the Georgian state must be decided solely by the Georgian people within the country.

Responding to a journalist’s question about the European Commission’s plans to increase funding for NGOs and media outlets by nearly 600 percent, Kobakhidze said that while the closure of United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), and other related funds was a decision made by the US administration, informal forces with excessive influence are now seeking to use European funds to pursue similar objectives.

“The shutdown of USAID, NED, and other relevant funds was a decision of the American administration. However, against this backdrop, we see that informal forces, which have disproportionate influence, particularly over political processes in Europe, are planning to use European funds to achieve the same goals,” Kobakhidze said.

The Prime Minister said Georgia must be protected from such interference.

“We do not need any artificial intervention in our internal affairs. The fate of the Georgian state must be decided by the Georgian people, in Georgia. This is our very clear position. This principle is enshrined in Georgian law, and naturally, we will defend it to the end,” Kobakhidze said.