Parliament official criticises Landsbergis’ visit, alleges deep state ties

David Matikashvili, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party and Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Committee on Procedural Issues and Rules, on Wednesday responded to the recent visit of the former Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis to the country, claiming that Landsbergis was acting on behalf of the deep state.

Landsbergis held a closed meeting with the NGO sector and domestic opposition, discussing the current events in Georgia.

In his remarks, Matikashvili argued that Landsbergis, whom he described as a “failed and obsolete politician”, interfered in Georgia’s internal affairs during his tenure as Lithuania’s Foreign Minister and was now attempting to continue this involvement unofficially.

“This particular individual, even when in office, was blatantly interfering in our internal affairs. Coming from a country with diminished sovereignty, he was unfortunately trying to carry out the deep state’s agenda in Georgia. Now, without any official status, he still attempts to do the same. The Lithuanian public itself does not consider him relevant in political terms, yet he comes here trying to share common goals and objectives with local agents. It is clear that this agenda has no future or success in Georgia”, he said.