Georgian Parliament to issue statement on US MEGOBARI Act, Speaker

The Georgian Parliament is preparing to adopt an official statement responding to the United States' MEGOBARI Act, a legislative proposal recently passed by the US House of Representatives. The announcement was made by Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili during a Bureau session on Monday.

The MEGOBARI Act, formally titled the Mobilizing and Enhancing Georgia’s Options for Building Accountability, Resilience, and Independence Act, was introduced in the US House on January 3, 2025, by Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC) and passed on May 5 with a bipartisan vote of 349–42. The bill aims to support democratic practices and counter authoritarian influences in Georgia, particularly from Russia, China, and Iran.

In his remarks, Papuashvili criticized the MEGOBARI Act, describing it as based on "false facts" and an "inversion of reality" regarding the situation in Georgia. He emphasized that the upcoming parliamentary statement will reflect a unified position, involving all factions and political groups, and will be reviewed by the Foreign Affairs Committee before being discussed at a plenary session.

The

outlines US policy to support Georgia's aspirations for European Union and NATO membership, as stated in Article 78 of Georgia's Constitution. It also calls for the US to consider reevaluating its relationship with the Georgian government if it deviates from its Euro-Atlantic integration path. Additionally, the act mandates reports on Russian intelligence activities and sanctions evasion in Georgia, and it authorizes sanctions against individuals undermining Georgian democracy.