Georgian Parliament official says legislative safeguards needed to protect sovereignty

Davit Matikashvili, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party and Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Committee on Procedural Issues and Rules, on Monday said it was the state's “positive obligation” to establish a legislative framework that safeguards national sovereignty from foreign interference.

In his interview with Imedi TV, Matikashvili emphasised the need to keep domestic politics free from outside influence, citing recent rhetoric from certain EU officials as a primary concern.

“We clearly witnessed the intentions of European officials, which were openly expressed, including statements that they were seeking illegal ways to finance activities in Georgia that are prohibited in our country.

It is the state’s positive obligation to develop a legislative framework that will protect our country’s sovereignty”, he concluded.

The Legal Issues Committee is set to consider amendments to the laws on grants and on political associations of citizens, as well as proposed changes to five additional laws.

The amendments to the law on grants establish criminal liability, make external lobbying punishable, and refine the definition of grants.