Reflecting on the criticism towards the cooperation agreement with Belarusian KGB, Georgian State Security Service (SSS) calls it disinformation and an attempt to politically discredit the institution.
It states that Georgia has similar communications with the US, UK, France, Lithuania, and other NATO and EU countries. The agency further clarifies that they will not have to go against the state interests and will exchange information "voluntarily".
"The agreement is aimed at cooperation between the parties in fight against international and transnational organized crime, against terrorism, corruption and other matters of state security," - the statement said.
The agreement on cooperation with the KGB of Belarus was signed in 2016. SSS claims that after the signing of the agreement, the Georgian government took all necessary measures to bring the document into force. The Republic of Belarus enacted the document in August 2021.
The joint security accord comes against the background of expanding sanctions of the major strategic partner of Georgia, the US against Belarusian officials, businessmen, state companies and institutions, including the KGB of Belarus. On August 9, the US Treasury authorized new wave of sanctions, involving 23 individuals and 21 entities, holding the Belarusian regime accountable on anniversary of fraudulent presidential election.
Franak Viačorka, the Senior Adviser to Belarusian exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanovskaya and Lukashenko’s key challenger in 2020 presidential elections, called the deal 'shameful' expressing hope Georgia will not push extraditions.
Former US Ambassador to Georgia, Ian Kelly also expressed his criticism towards the deal, saying: “Shameful indeed. The Georgian Government recently withdrew from an agreement brokered by the EU - if they don’t from this, it will be another sign that their priorities lie elsewhere.”
"It is already quite clear where the Georgian government stands. Every extra day of their power is a threat to the Georgian people. That is why it’s crucial to change of government through elections for the future of our statehood," – said the leader of the political movement Droa, Elene Khoshtaria.
"This document is not only disgraceful for Georgia, when the international community imposes sanctions on Byelorussia, but it also says a lot about Georgia's foreign policy trajectory. Additionally, this document poses a threat to Georgia's national security, as the Belarusian security apparatus is basically controlled by Russian services. While Russia's influence has drastically increased on Belarus' security, it can be said that this is a de facto memorandum of cooperation between Georgia and the Russian Federal Security Service," – stated the member of European Georgia, Giorgi Kandelaki.
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