PM Kobakhidze defends grants law, slams European Parliament of backing attempts to destabilise Georgia

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has defended the country's grants legislation, arguing that foreign-funded organisations had previously been used to foment unrest and interfere in Georgia's domestic affairs.

Kobakhidze on Tuesday claimed that grant funding had been used to promote hatred, encourage aggression and support attacks against the Georgian Orthodox Church and state institutions.

He described such activities as a form of foreign interference and said the government's response had been to introduce the grants law, which he argued had helped restore stability.

"Before the law was adopted, there were five attempts at revolution over a four-year period, organised by organisations funded through these grants," Kobakhidze said.

The prime minister criticised the European Parliament's calls for the legislation to be repealed, arguing that such demands amounted to support for further attempts to destabilise the country.

In separate remarks, Kobakhidze said Georgia remained in a "strategic patience" mode in its relations with European institutions and that dialogue could resume once what he described as "Soviet-style approaches" within the European Parliament and broader European bureaucracy had changed.

He also defended recent restrictions affecting demonstrations and public gatherings, arguing that the measures were designed to prevent a small number of protesters from disrupting the daily lives of the wider population.

Referring to opposition supporters, Kobakhidze claimed that around 150 activists had repeatedly blocked central streets and pavements in Tbilisi, creating inconvenience for residents.

The prime minister said the government would continue to defend the legislation, which he described as balanced and necessary for maintaining public order.