DISINFO: George Soros and Georgian NGOs profit at the expense of Europe
SUMMARY
Five NGOs are collaborating with the Georgian government to discuss the future of Georgia in the Eastern Partnership. As recipients of tens of millions of dollars in grants, these NGOs exercise enormous influence on the Georgian government and the Eastern Partnership, being backed by George Soros whose interest is to profit at the expense of Europe. Their actions strongly resemble those of demagogues.
RESPONSE
Recurring disinformation targeting the Eastern Partnership and George Soros. The report produced by five Georgian non-governmental organizations mentioned in this article refers to the “Proposal of Georgian Think Tanks on the Future Strategic Direction of the Eastern Partnership” published on 16 December 2019. It provides analysis and policy recommendations for deeper engagement with the EU Eastern Partnership project. The report covers questions of economic prosperity and cooperation, strengthening good governance, the rule of law and security, and enhancing the visibility of and the future possibilities for the Eastern Partnership. While the project was funded by the Open Society Georgia Foundation, the views, opinions and statements belong to the authors. The five NGOs behind it (Georgian Center for Strategy and Development, Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies, Georgian Institute of Politics, Georgia’s Reforms Associates, the Levan Mikeladze Foundation) are independent research and public policy institutes which receive funding from multiple organizations including USAID, EuropeAid, UNDP and the Europe Foundation among others, also including Georgian ministries and foreign embassies. Therefore, there is no evidence to suggest that the NGOs are influenced by George Soros or the Open Society Foundations directly. The Open Society Foundation stands for freedom of expression, accountable government, justice and equality, and its activities promote these values. The well-evidenced report was presented in a meeting attended by Vakhtang Makharoblishvili, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and representatives of European institutions, ambassadors, journalists and members of civil society on 16 December 2019.