“Brussels in values crisis”: Georgian Parliament Speaker accuses domestic EU-backed groups of exploiting xenophobia

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Monday defended the Eagle Hills investment by saying that the project was offering only positive benefits, and further debunking all myths and disinformation surrounding it.

“What we have seen over the past few days is that Brussels and ‘Alt-Info’ [the local far-right group] have aligned on one side. Brussels-backed NGOs, politicians, and Alt-Info share a xenophobic line, which is concerning. Brussels should consider how its protégés are willing to use xenophobia as a political weapon to force regime changes. This is a values-based crisis for Brussels, and without addressing it, it is difficult to speak credibly about the European values its bureaucracy is meant to uphold”, Papuashvili said.

He emphasised that all aspects of the contract relevant to public interest were explained in detail by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.

Regarding public disclosure, Papuashvili noted that commercial project contracts were not publicly released in any country.

“This concerns a commercial contract, and as with any such project worldwide, full disclosure is not required, including in Georgia. For all matters of public significance, detailed explanations were provided by the Prime Minister. Therefore, much of the controversy was ordinary speculation”, the Speaker continued.

Papuashvili further criticised Brussels-backed civil activists, noting that some lacked expertise in the fields they commented on.

Regarding the investment, he reiterated that the Eagle Hills project is valued at $6.5 billion, and the Prime Minister has explained the concrete benefits it will bring to Georgia.