‘Bipolar disorder’: Georgian Parliament Speaker criticises mixed EU signals

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Thursday said the statements coming from Brussels on Georgia’s compliance with sanctions against Russia resemble bipolar disorder.

In his remarks, Papuashvili noted that on one hand, the EU praised Tbilisi for upholding sanctions, while on the other, it funded NGOs spreading disinformation suggesting Georgia was being used to circumvent sanctions.

“Georgia’s authorities have developed such an effective control mechanism that not only have we received no criticism, but there have been numerous instances of praise, including an official letter recently. This is one ‘voice’ of Brussels. Brussels’ second ‘voice’, however, gives grants to Transparency International - the NGO that is engaged in accusing Georgia of facilitating sanctions evasion. This disinformation is directly funded by Brussels. Therefore, we are interested in what is really happening”, the Speaker said.

“Brussels needs to clarify which ‘voice’ is speaking. Is Georgia a country that effectively enforces sanctions? If so, why is Brussels directly funding disinformation against Georgia? This shows not double standards, but bipolar disorder in Brussels”, Papuashvili concluded.

EU Sanctions Envoy David O'Sullivan on Wednesday sent an official letter to the Georgian Government praising its high-level commitment and concrete actions to block the circumvention of EU sanctions on Russia.

In a formal letter addressed to Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili and Georgian Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili, O'Sullivan expressed gratitude for Georgia’s proactive stance in enforcing EU export controls.

“I thank you for your commitment expressed at the highest level and steps already taken not to allow circumvention of EU sanctions vis-à-vis Russia, as well as for the constant availability of your authorities to address any question related to sanctions circumvention”, he said.