Georgian PM says NED funding supported harmful activities in country

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Thursday said “very harmful activities” had been funded through the National Endowment for Democracy, adding any reduction in such funding would be beneficial for the country and its statehood.

In his remarks over the matter, Kobakhidze emphasised that “foreign funding should not support revolutionary actions or propaganda in certain directions”.

NED funding, he pointed out, had supported activities that had been against the state, including anti-government actions.

“Through NED, very harmful activities were funded in our country, including anti-state actions. Therefore, any reduction in funding in this direction would be better for our country and statehood”, the PM said.

“It is unacceptable for revolutionary activities or specific propaganda to be financed from abroad. NED’s funding served this purpose, and it is crucial that such funding is restricted”, he concluded.