Economy Minister: We Always Pay Attention to Our Western, American Partners' Opinions

'We always pay attention to the statements of our Western, American partners and representatives of different branches of government, although sometimes and especially lately, these statements are based on unverified and inaccurate information," Natia Turnava, the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, said after the cabinet meeting today. 

She noted that the government is strengthening information sources to provide as much accurate information as possible to representatives of various US government agencies.

“Of course, the senators' statements will not be left without attention and reaction. We always pay attention to statements made by our Western, American Partners, sometimes and especially lately, these statements are based on unverified and inaccurate information, however, we study these opinions very carefully and of course, we will respond to them. In turn, we are strengthening our sources of information, and we will do our best to provide the right information to representatives of various branches of the US government. I would mention the case of the Frontera Company, for example, when obviously false, incorrect information was provided,” Turnava said.

The Minister's words refer to a series of critical statements made by American congressmen in recent times. In particular, letters sent by Adam Kinzinger and Gerald E. Connolly, Co-Chairs of the U.S. Congressional Georgia Caucus and the joint letter sent by four Congressmen, together with the letter by Congressman Mullin, which also mention the dispute between the Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation and the US-based company Frontera Resources.

In addition, on January 28, congressman Pete Olson also criticized the Chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party Bidzina Ivanishvili over the company Frontera Resources.

Olson in his remarks made in the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday compared Ivanishvili to Oscar the Grouch and said: “they’re both puppets who’ve trashed their homes.”

The congressman said, “Vladimir Putin’s puppet has attacked foreign investment in Georgia and crushed basic human rights.”

On January 29, US Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, sent letter to Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, in which they expressed “concern over recent events that indicate a backsliding from Georgia’s commitment to building the institutions of their democracy.”

By Ana Dumbadze 

Related Story: Two More US Senators Send Letter to Georgia's PM