Kakha Kaladze, Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Monday criticized the US-proposed MEGOBARI Act, labeling it as “not friendly” and emphasizing that Georgia’s relationships “must be balanced and based on mutual respect”.
“There is no MEGOBARI Act as such. Various statements have been made about it, but we act solely in the interests of our country. We understand friendship and partnership, but it cannot be one-sided. Does one-sided love exist? Friendship must be mutual,” Kaladze said. He added that while the Georgian government was ready for cooperation, the relationship “must be built on equality and healthy interaction”.
The MEGOBARI Act was introduced by Republican Congressman Joe Wilson. It aims to strengthen the transatlantic ties between the US and Georgia, while also proposing sanctions against individuals who “undermine Georgia’s sovereignty”. The bill, according to Wilson, is a demonstration of US support for the Georgian people “at a critical juncture in their democratic development”.
The US Helsinki Commission has voiced support for the MEGOBARI Act. “The American people stand by Georgians as they work to realize their democratic aspirations. The act is designed to provide decisive support to the Georgian people at this important moment in their country’s history. We look forward to its approval in Congress,” the Commission said.
