“The wish to use financial cooperation mechanisms as a tool for pressure is against international cooperation and aid ethics,” said Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili.
Speaker noted that if anyone wishes to cooperate with Georgia, they are welcome, but if cooperation is misconceived with intervention, it is unacceptable for the Georgian people.
“Every country spends its money as it wishes. It is their people’s money, and we cannot obligate anyone to spend their people’s money on the Georgian people. If anyone wishes to cooperate with Georgia, they are welcome. But if cooperation is identified with intervention and gaining influence, even on the Georgian parliament, it is unacceptable for the Georgian people,” he said.
The Speaker further noted that the Georgian parliament represents the Georgian people and will act according to the people’s order.
“The wish to use financial cooperation mechanisms as a tool for pressure is against the ethics of international cooperation and aid. It is up to them to revise it. Nobody is forced to spend money in Georgia. If anyone wants to cooperate, they cooperate. If anyone does not wish to cooperate, be it the parliament or any other state institution, once again, I repeat that the Georgian parliament acts with the money paid by the Georgian people to the budget, and as you see, there is no threat to its functioning. We adopt laws and implement infrastructure projects if any. So, everything is ahead,” he said.
For the record, information was spread in the media that the suspension of financial aid to Georgia by the US would also affect the National Center for Disease Control and the Lugar Laboratory. Before that, it was announced that the US is suspending more than 95 million dollars in direct aid to the government of Georgia.
Related story: Health minister: Up to 2 million US aid to NCDC will be stopped
