Remarks by Ambassador Degnan at the Tbilisi Center of Architecture, Design, and Creative Industries & Domus Georgia
Ambassador Degnan’s Remarks to Media at Tbilisi Center of Architecture, Design and Creative Industries & Domus Georgia – “Future – What Next?”
question about the event
Ambassador Degnan: I’m pleased to be here tonight for Domus Georgia’s seminar on the future – what’s next. Everything from artificial intelligence to sustainable architecture is explored. And it brought together a number of different experts, but also some ambassadors, to talk about these issues. This is part of many efforts and workshops designed to help us focus on the future and better prepare us to face what lies ahead. That’s why I’m happy to be here.
Question about lobbying documents
Ambassador Degnan: I haven’t seen these documents, but I think they are indicative of the Russian-style law that was rejected here in March, which focuses on NGOs, Georgian NGOs, working for the best interests of Georgia. United States law focuses on lobbyists and law firms hired by outside sources to work for the benefit of those outside sources. So there is a clear difference between the US law and what was passed here, the Russian-style law. And if we look at Russia, we see the impact of these kinds of laws on foreign agents. It has had a devastating impact on NGOs in Russia, most of which have either closed or left the country. Again, US law, which focuses on transparency of law firms and lobbyists hired by foreigners to work on behalf of foreigners, is very different and provides transparency that is useful here in Georgia. They already have significant transparency on the work of donors and NGOs working with Georgian NGOs in the best interests of Georgia. So these are very different situations.
Question on the 2024 Georgian elections
Ambassador Degnan: I think they are very important. They will be very important and I think it is an opportunity for the Georgian public to go public and make their voice heard in a very important election. So I hope voters cast their ballots for next October, a year after October. Thank you very much.
