Georgia to challenge US Congress over "MEGOBARI Act" in official declaration

Georgia's Parliament is preparing to issue an official statement in response to the recently adopted “MEGOBARI Act” by the United States House of Representatives, a move Georgian lawmakers have criticised as misrepresenting the situation in the country and undermining friendly bilateral ties.

The draft statement has already been initiated in the legislature, Caliber.Az reports, citing Georgian media sources.

The initiative is backed by key political figures, including Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, leaders of the ruling Georgian Dream faction, and other political groups currently represented in Parliament.

The draft has been submitted to the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Relations and is scheduled for discussion during a plenary session tomorrow.

Speaker Papuashvili, who will serve as the rapporteur for the statement, emphasised that Parliament will formally register its position regarding the US legislation.

“Today, the public saw the Prime Minister’s letter to the President of the United States, which also addressed the ‘MEGOBARI Act,’” Papuashvili stated. “At the same time, with the participation of the ruling faction and other political groups, a parliamentary statement has been prepared concerning the so-called ‘MEGOBARI Act.’ This statement contains our evaluations and response related to this act.”

Papuashvili strongly criticised the content of the US legislation, arguing that its title was misleading and its contents incompatible with the concept of a friendly relationship.

“They even changed the title of the so-called ‘MEGOBARI Act’ themselves,” he said. “What we read in it was everything but friendship. It is based not only on false facts, but in essence represents a distortion of the reality that exists in Georgia.”

He added, “Our goal is to show everyone, based on arguments and solid facts, what the actual situation is and to offer our assessment. What we saw in the ‘MEGOBARI Act,’ passed by the US House of Representatives, contradicts any understanding of friendship.”

The MEGOBARI Act, which translates from Georgian as “friend,” has sparked political debate in Tbilisi, with officials asserting that the document not only misrepresents facts but also undermines the principles of sovereignty and mutual respect. Georgia’s official response is expected to articulate these objections and reaffirm the country’s commitment to an accurate and respectful bilateral dialogue.

By Tamilla Hasanova