Ruling party MP expresses support for Donald Trump
Irakli Zarkua
Photo: Parliament of Georgia
Irakli Zarkua, an MP for the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Saturday expressed his support for the former US President Donald Trump, stating his belief that Trump had the potential to make the United States “greater and fairer.”
Zarkua’s comments followed after Matthew Miller, the Spokesperson for the United States Department of State, on Thursday announced the US Government had imposed visa restrictions on members of the Georgian Dream party due to the adoption of the domestic law on transparency of foreign influence.
Zarkua criticised what he had perceived as a “double standard”, questioning the US Administration’s commitment to supporting the Georgian people.
He pointed out that while the US had sanctioned Georgian officials, it could take more constructive steps to demonstrate its support for the Georgian people .
“I have one question: if you have sanctioned the entire country, your approach is clear and the [Georgian] public also understood this double standard, but lift the sanctions and introduce visa-free travel for Georgian citizens”, Zarkua said.
“You say that you support the Georgian people. Give Georgian business free trade. Open free trade for Georgian businesses. China did it in a week [introducing visa-free travel for Georgian citizens]. Do it, show us what you can do”, he noted.
The US State Department on Thursday announced that visa restrictions would affect members of the ruling Georgian Dream party, Parliament members, law enforcement officers, and private individuals. These restrictions will also extend to family members of the sanctioned individuals.
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