We cannot understand the common practice, when foreign diplomats cannot answer our arguments with arguments behind closed doors and still make groundless political statements in public space, - reads the statement released by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.

According to him, foreign diplomats are actively involved in Georgia’s political debates.

"Georgia values and cares for relations with partner countries. Considering the main priority of our foreign policy - integration into the European Union, cooperation with high-ranking representatives of the United States of America, the European Union and EU member states, including ambassadors, and listening to their opinions is a special priority for us. We appreciate all the supportive steps of the ambassadors and statements aimed at strengthening Georgia's international positions.

In accordance with the practice introduced in Georgia in recent years, foreign diplomats continue to actively participate in the ongoing political debates in the country.

They especially intensively try to perform the function of the legislator, to actively participate in the law-making process and to dictate to the main body of representative democracy - the parliament elected by the Georgian people, which laws to adopt and which not to.

Although this practice of replacing the political opposition does not correspond to the standards of diplomacy, given the scarcity of political and intellectual resources of the opposition, we can understand it to some extent.

However, we cannot understand the widespread practice, when foreign diplomats cannot answer our arguments behind closed doors with arguments and still make groundless political statements in public space.

Over the past few days, we have heard critical statements from several foreign diplomats regarding the "Transparency of Foreign Influence" bill. Just like the messages of our political opponents, these statements were devoid of any arguments and justification.

I believe that transparency and publicity are the best way to prevent evil. The baseless criticism that we often hear from foreign diplomats is generalized by the society to the respective countries, which entails serious risks. Georgian society must maintain trust in partner countries, which is our duty and responsibility to take care of.

Ambassadors periodically request closed meetings. We have never refused meetings and we are ready for closed meetings in the future. However, due to the fact that the non-transparent political discussion around the draft law "On transparency of foreign influence" harms the trust of the Georgian society towards our partner countries, I offer the ambassadors of the United States of America, the European Union and EU member states to hold a public discussion about this draft law.

I am sure that under the conditions of the live broadcast of the meaningful discussion between the leaders of the government and the ambassadors, the Georgian society will create a much clearer idea of the essence of the draft law and the need to adopt it for the protection of state sovereignty," reads the Prime Minister's statement.

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