On May 23, Irakli Kobakhidze, the Prime Minister of Georgia, stated: "The public is observing the developments surrounding the Law on Transparency and has noticed that several high-ranking foreign politicians are not hesitating to use open blackmail against the Georgian people and their elected government. We have become accustomed to this kind of insulting blackmail, which has essentially lost its impact on society and the government."

Kobakhidze emphasized that even amid prolonged blackmail, a threat voiced during a telephone conversation with a European Commissioner was shocking. "During our conversation, the European Commissioner listed several measures that Western politicians might take if the veto on the transparency law is overcome. While listing these measures, he mentioned, "You've seen what happened to Fico, and you should be very careful."

He expressed deep concern over the reference to the Prime Minister of Slovakia, who recently suffered a terrorist attack and is still undergoing treatment in the context of blackmail related to the transparency law. Kobakhidze noted, "I would like to emphasize that, according to preliminary information, the attack on the Prime Minister of Slovakia is linked to one of the special services of a country that is particularly closely connected with the Global War Party."

Kobakhidze felt it was necessary to inform Georgian society about this threat to prevent any potential issues. "The parallel drawn with the attempted assassination of Robert Fico reminds us that the Global War Party is an extremely dangerous force willing to do anything to bring chaos to Georgia," he added.

He concluded by expressing confidence that such plans would not succeed, asserting that Georgia would maintain peace and political stability, which are essential for the country's development.

Response from European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement

On the same day, Olivér Várhelyi, the European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, issued a statement denying accusations by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, who had stated earlier that an EU Commissioner had threatened him during a phone call, referencing the May 15 assassination attempt on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and warning him to be careful. 

Várhelyi expressed very sincere regret that part of the phone conversation with the Georgian Prime Minister was taken out of context and presented to the public in a way that could give rise to a complete misinterpretation of the originally intended aim of the call.

Várhelyi noted that he regularly communicates with Georgian government officials to keep channels open for direct political exchanges. He stated, "In the current political situation of Georgia, I have been investing major efforts in dissuading the Georgian political leadership from adopting the Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence, which can undermine Georgia's EU path."

Várhelyi explained, "Being fully aware of the very strong pro-EU sentiment of the Georgian society, during my phone conversation, I felt the need to call the attention of the Prime Minister on the importance of not inflaming the already fragile situation by adopting this law, which could lead to further polarization and possible uncontrolled situations on the streets of Tbilisi. In this regard, the latest tragic event in Slovakia was mentioned as an example of where such high levels of polarization can lead in a society, even in Europe."

He reiterated his regret that the phone call was taken out of context and presented wrongly to the public. Várhelyi emphasized, "I am still urging the Georgian authorities not to adopt this law. I ask this also as a well-known and respected friend of Georgia. I continue to support Georgians working towards a European future."