US Ambassador’s comments on deoligarchisation bill caused question marks – ruling party MP

David Matikashvili, an MP in the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Wednesday said that the recent comments of the US Ambassador to Georgia, Kelly Degnan, that Ukraine had withdrawn the similar law from the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe, has caused question marks.  

 

The MP said that CoE claims the bill had not been recalled, and noted that the party had plans to clarify the issue.  

 

In his comments on Tuesday, Degnan called on the Georgian parliament to send the domestic deoligarchisation bill to European expects for recommendations.  

 

“I think there was some confusion about this. The same law, which was developed by Ukraine and was forwarded to the Venice Commission, was subsequently recalled and is not awaiting a conclusion at this stage. Since this law is a new direction, quite complex, it is very important that European legal experts review it, study it and then draw conclusions. Due to its complexity. I think it will be very useful for Georgia”, said Degnan. 

 

The ruling party claimed that it planned to use the Venice Commission’s recommendations for the similar law for Ukraine, however, the conclusion is not available so far.  

 

The Georgian parliament has already adopted the bill, which is part of 12-point conditions for the country’s membership candidate, with its two readings, with only one reading left for the final approval.