Georgian MP Makhashvili calls for Joe Wilson's draft resolution to be rejected

Levan Makhashvili, chair of the Georgian Parliament's European Integration Committee, called for the complete rejection of a draft resolution submitted by US Congressman Joe Wilson during the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, arguing that amendments would not address its "fundamental flaws."

Addressing the Assembly, Makhashvili said the draft repeats “unsubstantiated allegations” about Georgia's parliamentary elections and undermines confidence in the electoral process. He argued that the resolution gives Georgia disproportionate attention compared with other OSCE member states.

Makhashvili also criticized what he described as an "obsessive attitude" among some delegates toward Georgia, saying the draft resolution politicises the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and damages the platform's role in fostering dialogue.

He further argued that it was "ironic" for a US Congressman to criticise Georgia's transparency legislation while the United States has the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), which he described as stricter. Makhashvili also referred to lobbying contracts registered under FARA involving Georgia's former ruling party, the United National Movement, and said they were linked to Wilson.

"Individual amendments cannot correct the fundamental and substantive shortcomings that run throughout the document. The vast majority of the resolution goes beyond the bounds of reasonable assessment. Therefore, the most responsible step would be to reject this resolution in its entirety," Makhashvili said.