**Georgian Dream Parliament Slams US Congress Over MEGOBARI Act**
The Georgian Dream Parliament has issued a scathing statement criticizing the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the MEGOBARI Act, which it labels as “extremely hostile” and “factually flawed.” The statement claims that the act is a “hostile act against the Georgian state, its people, and its government.”
**What is the MEGOBARI Act?**
The MEGOBARI Act, passed on May 5, is a bipartisan bill sponsored by the Helsinki Commission leaders. It would require the U.S. president to sanction members and senior representatives of the Georgian Dream government who are determined to have engaged in significant acts of corruption or acts of violence and intimidation related to blocking the country’s Euro-Atlantic integration.
**Georgia Denies Claims**
The statement rejects the claims outlined in the bill, which it calls “three false accusations”: substantial democratic backsliding in Georgia, obstruction of Euro-Atlantic integration by the GD government, and the establishment of “inappropriate ties” with Russia, China, and Iran. The statement dismisses these claims as a product of disinformation and “deep state” manipulation.
**Reforms and International Rankings**
The Georgian Dream Parliament responds to the section on democratic backsliding by highlighting its reforms and international rankings. It notes that Georgia has been recognized for its progress in democracy and human rights, with favorable ratings from organizations such as Freedom House and the Economist Intelligence Unit.
**Relations with Authoritarian Regimes**
The statement also addresses criticism over Georgia’s relations with authoritarian regimes. It points out that Georgia has no diplomatic relations with Russia due to the occupation of 20% of Georgian territory, and trade share with Russia is under 12%. The statement notes that Georgia has aligned with more than 600 international acts supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
**Warning to US Congress**
The GD Parliament warns the U.S. Congress that by initiating the MEGOBARI Act, it is “causing the same reputational damage to itself” as the European Parliament. The statement claims that after the latter’s critical resolutions, “the Georgian people no longer take its decisions seriously.”
**Conclusion**
The statement concludes by expressing hope that the new United States administration will successfully weaken the “deep state,” allowing the US Congress to regain its former glory and reputation.
**Related Articles**
* **Letter from Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze to US President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance**: The letter anticipates the imminent discussion of the MEGOBARI Act in the U.S. Senate and expresses the government’s grievance that its offers to restart relations with the U.S. have gone unnoticed.
* **MEGOBARI Act: A Review of the Bill**: This article provides an overview of the bill, including its provisions and implications.
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