We were alarmed by the passage of a law that restricted civil society activities. We were disappointed when Georgian Dream leaders started to promote conspiracy theories against their Western partners. And we were shocked when Georgian Dream promised in its election program to ban opposition parties. Gareth Ward, the ambassador of the Kingdom spoke exclusively to “InterpressNews“.
According to him the Georgian government’s actions this year have damaged the relationship between Great Britain and Georgia as well as other western partners.
“Great Britain does not directly participate in the process to join Georgia to the European Union. However, we support this aspiration along with the reforms necessary to achieve this. Great Britain has always been a strong ally of NATO, and actively supported Georgia’s membership in NATO. Great Britain and Romania are NATO contact embassies for Georgia. Britain also contributes to the development and improvement of Georgia’s defence capabilities. However, NATO is more than a military alliance. It is also a union of political interests. In order to join NATO it is essential that Georgia fulfills its obligations regarding free courts, protection of human rights and parliamentary oversight.
The Secretary General of NATO has expressed his concern over the adoption of the “Transparency of Foreign Influence” law. It is not appropriate to undermine democracy and human right on the road to NATO.
The Georgian government’s actions this year have damaged relations between Great Britain and Georgia as well as other Western partners. We were concerned when the Georgian parliament passed a bill restricting the civil society‘s activities, despite the opposition it received from the public. It also committed to not re-introduce this law. We were disappointed that the leaders of Georgian Dream started to promote conspiracy theories, and made assumptions that Western partners were undermining Georgia. “We were shocked that “Georgian Dream”, in its election program, promised to ban opposition parties,” said the ambassador.
The British diplomat explains the problems that Western partners have with the “Transparency of Foreign Influence Law”
“We have stated clearly that the law on transparency of foreign influence” harms Georgia’s non-governmental organisations and free media. “It is disproportionate, stifles the freedom of speech and stigmatizes those doing good work for society,” said he.
The ambassador also criticised the so-called Also anti-LGBT propaganda law.
“The package of legislation “On Family Values & Protection of Minors”, discriminates against minorities, and restricts freedom of speech. “In my experience, Georgia has a tolerant culture with active non-governmental organisations, and these laws are in opposition to that, as are our common European Values, which are reinforced through the Council of Europe,” said the ambassador.
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