The story of the Namakhvani HPP serves as the best proof that the transparency law is the most 'Georgian' law Parliament could possibly have adopted in recent years -  Shalva Papuashvili

In the modern world, interference by one country in the internal affairs of another using hybrid methods is increasingly common. Such methods include, among others, the provision of funding by a country or political group to advance its own interests within another nation. Shalva Papuashvili, Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, made these remarks to journalists while commenting on US legislation that requires individuals to register as foreign agents. The US was the first to recognize this. They were well aware of the experience gained in other countries, and consequently, decades ago, they regulated the matter within the US itself through the FARA Act, which mandates transparency for any funding aimed at influencing policy or public affairs. This is a fundamental truth that Brussels attempted to distort. Incidentally, the previous US administration also waged a completely false campaign.

Let me remind you that in 2023, the former US Ambassador, Ms. Degnan, labeled what was essentially a "most Georgian" law as the "Russian law." They subsequently attempted to embed this propaganda narrative within Georgian society through the very NGOs they funded. Look at the response the public ultimately gave to this false narrative: in 2024, we adopted all the relevant legislation and proceeded to the elections on that basis. "In these elections—which they themselves declared to be a referendum—the Georgian people, specifically 1,120,000 individuals, supported all these laws, including the transparency legislation and other relevant regulations that serve the interests of the Georgian people," Papuashvili stated.

As Papuashvili noted, the transparency law is the most "Georgian" law adopted by the Parliament of Georgia in recent years.

"Recently, the issue of the Namakhvani HPP was brought up again; legal proceedings regarding it are still ongoing. However, there is a risk that the Georgian state budget could be ordered to pay $400 million to the company. This is the company that was effectively driven out by a network of agents funded from abroad. Beyond the damage Georgia suffered because this vital energy project was never realized, we may now also have to compensate—from the state budget—for the losses caused by organizations operating on foreign funding. Let me remind you that, at the time, this campaign was fully orchestrated by three non-governmental organizations: 'Green Alternative,' the 'Social Justice Center,' and 'GYLA.' All three were funded from Brussels and several other sources." "Everyone knows by now what kind of farce was orchestrated—complete disinformation, a veritable hybrid attack on Georgia aimed at derailing a major energy project; and indeed, Brussels-funded organizations succeeded in derailing it.

The Namakhvani HPP saga serves as the clearest proof that the transparency law is the most 'Georgian' piece of legislation Parliament has adopted in recent years. The law serves Georgian interests, ensuring that the kind of destructive actions taken by Brussels-funded individuals—who sabotaged a vital energy project—can never happen again," stated Shalva Papuashvili.

It is worth noting that the U.S. Department of Justice has issued a statement noting: "Laws require individuals to register as foreign agents when they operate in the U.S. under the direction and control of a foreign government or foreign entity." Furthermore, Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna has drafted a bill to tighten FARA regulations, which could potentially extend to social media influencers as well.