PM says NATO member Turkey considers “stricter” law on foreign influence, but “we have not heard statements from NATO Sec Gen like in Georgia's case”
Irakli Kobakhidze
Photo: Administration of the Government of Georgia
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Wednesday said Turkey, a NATO member country, was considering a stricter law on transparency of foreign influence, and further noted the NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg had not made such statements toward Turkey as in the case of Georgia.
In his interview with the Georgian Public Broadcaster, Kobakhidze noted the reason was the fact Turkey could not be dragged into the ongoing war in Ukraine through the opening of a “second front”, but Georgia was the case.
“Since the beginning of 2022, there was a serious interest in opening a second front in Georgia [amid the war in Ukraine], which would seriously damage Russia's positions, fighting on two fronts would not be easy for Russia, but all this would have destroyed our country. Some did not care about the fate of our country”, Kobakhidze said.
“It was an interest that is still valid today, especially in the current situation in terms of the [ongoing] war in Ukraine. Therefore, we have our logical conclusions about where the interest comes from. Turkey, a NATO member country, is considering the same law, which is much stricter than the law passed in Georgia. Stoltenberg made a statement when the [Georgian] bill had been tabled. It has been a long time since this law has been considered in Turkey, and we have not yet heard such a statement in relation to a NATO member country. Imagine that on this particular topic there is more interest in relation to Georgia than in relation to Turkey. Our logic is simple: you cannot drag Turkey as a second front into this war, [but] it is possible in the case of Georgia”, he concluded.
All News
27 April 2026, 17:14
Politics
Georgia’s ruling party official: EU Ambassador Herczyński has shifted from criticising Georgian Dream to attacking Georgia
Levan Machavariani, the first deputy chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party faction in the legislative body, on Monday condemned remarks by the European Union’s ambassador to Georgia as “absolutely outrageous” and beyond all bounds of decency.
27 April 2026, 16:49
Politics
Georgian FM says Georgia-EU relations “at impasse” due to Brussels bureaucracy’s attitude
Georgian foreign minister Maka Botchorishvili on Monday addressed the current state of relations between Georgia and the European Union, characterising the situation as an “impasse” caused by the attitude of European officials.
27 April 2026, 15:42
Politics
Georgian FM: statements from Brussels undermine Georgia-EU relations
Georgian foreign minister Maka Botchorishvili on Monday said that recent steps and statements from Brussels were undermining trust between partners and damaging relations between Georgia and the European Union.
27 April 2026, 14:41
Foreign policy
Georgian FM summons EU Ambassador, says Brussels policy “undermines partnership”
Paweł Herczyński, the EU ambassador to Georgia, on Monday was summoned for a meeting with Maka Botchorishvili, the minister of foreign affairs of Georgia, regarding an event organised by the European External Action Service in Brussels and the statements made within its framework.
27 April 2026, 12:41
Politics
Georgian Parliament official questions motives behind EU Ambassador’s remarks
Gia Volski, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party and the first vice speaker of the parliament, on Sunday said that recent “shameless” statements by European officials should be examined in depth and interpreted within the framework of broader political objectives pursued by Brussels.
27 April 2026, 11:29
Politics
Georgia’s ruling party official says unelected Brussels bureaucracy does not represent European values
Irakli Kirtskhalia, the chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party faction in the legislative body, on Sunday accused foreign actors of “brazenly interfering” in Georgia’s domestic political affairs, saying they operate outside diplomatic and moral boundaries and openly support what he described as their “hand-picked so-called opposition”.
26 April 2026, 18:12
Politics
Georgian President denounces attempted attack in US capital
Georgian president Mikheil Kavelashvili on Sunday condemned the attempted attack that occurred last night in Washington, D.C.
26 April 2026, 17:43
Politics
Georgian Prime Minister condemns Washington attempted attack, relieved US President and First Lady safe
Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Sunday condemned the attempted attack in Washington in the strongest terms, expressing relief that no one was harmed.
26 April 2026, 16:59
Politics
Georgian Parliament official: legislative measures aim at survival amid geopolitical challenges
Archil Gorduladze, the chair of the Georgian Parliament’s legal affairs committee, on Sunday framed recent legislative efforts as part of a broader “daily struggle for survival”, arguing that both legal reforms and practical measures were ultimately designed to safeguard the country’s stability and future.
26 April 2026, 11:54
Politics
Georgia to put EU accession talks on agenda in 2028, says Georgia’s ruling party official
Levan Machavariani, the first deputy chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party faction in the legislative body, on Saturday emphasised the government's commitment to national sovereignty, asserting that the current administration's primary focus remains the protection of Georgia’s national interests.
25 April 2026, 13:03
Politics
“Completely unacceptable”: Georgian Parliament official criticises EU Ambassador’s remarks
Levan Machavariani, the first deputy chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party faction in the legislative body, on Friday said that recent statements by Paweł Herczyński, the EU ambassador to Georgia, were unacceptable and risk further eroding public trust toward the European Union.
25 April 2026, 11:53
Economy
Georgian Economy Minister: updated free trade agreement with China to deepen economic ties
Mariam Kvrivishvili, the minister of economy and sustainable development of Georgia, on Saturday said that the updated free trade agreement signed with China would further strengthen and deepen trade and economic relations between the two countries.
24 April 2026, 21:45
Politics
Georgian FM: impossible to ignore Georgia’s role in the Middle Corridor
Georgia’s vice prime minister and minister of foreign affairs Maka Botchorishvili on Friday said it was impossible to ignore Georgia’s role in the Middle Corridor, emphasising the country’s strategic importance in regional transit projects.
24 April 2026, 21:10
Politics
Georgian FM: Georgia never halted EU process, negotiations still unopened by Europe
Georgia has never refused dialogue with the European Union and has not halted its European integration process, despite accusations to the contrary, said on Friday Georgian vice prime minister and foreign minister Maka Botchorishvili during a working session at the Delphi Economic Forum in Greece.
24 April 2026, 20:41
Politics
Georgian FM: EU Ambassador will be summoned to foreign office
Georgian foreign minister Maka Botchorishvili on Friday responded to the media regarding a statement made by the EU ambassador to Georgia Paweł Herczyński.
24 April 2026, 18:56
Economy
Georgian Economy Minister meets Xiaomi leadership to discuss regional cooperation
Mariam Kvrivishvili, the minister of economy and sustainable development of Georgia, on Friday met with Simon Du, the director of international government affairs at Xiaomi Corporation, to discuss prospects for cooperation.
24 April 2026, 17:28
Economy
Georgian Economy Minister discusses investment and transport cooperation at China’s National Development and Reform Commission
Mariam Kvrivishvili, the minister of economy and sustainable development of Georgia, on Friday held a meeting in Beijing with Zhou Haibing, the deputy chair of the national development and reform commission, to discuss cooperation in investment and transport sectors between the two countries.
24 April 2026, 15:56
Politics
Georgia sees significant progress in international rankings, says Head of Government Administration
Levan Zhorzholiani, the head of the Georgian government administration, on Friday highlighted the country’s upward trajectory in global rankings.
24 April 2026, 15:36
Foreign policy
Former EU Commissioner Avramopoulos reaffirms support for Georgia’s European future
Dimitris Avramopoulos, the former European commissioner for migration, home affairs, and citizenship, has expressed strong support for Georgia’s European aspirations, telling journalists that he has long backed the country and will continue to do so in the future.
24 April 2026, 14:14
Politics
Georgian Gov’t Administration Head: stability key to attracting investment and boosting Georgia’s economic growth
Levan Zhorzholiani, the head of the Georgian government administration, on Friday emphasised that political stability and peace were the primary drivers for attracting foreign investment and ensuring long-term economic prosperity.