"Instead of sharing objective criticism and taking concrete steps to improve the situation in various directions, the government’s increasing attacks on our Western friends has turned into a campaign," reads a statement issued by NGOs in response to the statement by Irakli Kobakhidze, chairman of the Georgian Dream, according to which, friends of Mikheil Saakashvili and friends of the country should be separated, saying that "If they continue such lobbying activities, we will have to call them patrons of criminals."

According to the statement, the ruling party does not intend to lead a democratic process in the country and is ready to spoil relations with Western states and politicians.

"The signatory organizations are responding to the statement of the chairman of the ruling party Georgian Dream, which clearly serves to discredit Georgia's western partners and friends.

This is not the first time that the leaders of the ruling party have publicly and openly attacked their foreign partners, when they critically assess the current events in the country. These criticisms often refer to the judiciary, politically motivated investigations, election irregularities, or other issues that causes their fair disappointment.

Their sincere desire is to create an environment for the citizens of Georgia where they can have a dignified life and development, enjoy independent judiciary, freedom of expression, high quality elections, a clear line between the ruling party and government, and functioning of all institutions for the benefit of citizens. This is the kind of Georgia that the West supports. That is why they have repeatedly stated that they do not support any particular party or political group, but the Georgian people.

Instead of sharing objective criticism and taking concrete steps to improve the situation in various directions, the government’s increasing attacks on our Western friends has turned into a campaign. Certain groups and leaders do not shy away from abusive tone and often accuse those whose political and financial support is of great importance for the functioning of the Georgian state. With such rhetoric, a country whose majority supports the Western vector of development suffer more and more damage. All this is exacerbated by the refusal of important reforms for Georgian citizens and Western financial assistance.

The results of the great efforts made by our European and American partners in resolving the recent political crises in Georgia, which were ultimately ignored by the authorities, should be particularly emphasized.

All of the above facts are of extreme concern to us. It is obvious that the government's confrontation with its Western partners is already taking the form of a trend. It seems that the ruling party is not going to lead a democratic process in the country and is ready to spoil relations with Western states and politicians and create serious problems for the country on the path to Euro-Atlantic integration.

The unwavering will of the population of Georgia was and is the integration of our country in European and Euro-Atlantic structures. We think that the Georgian government is further alienating us from our historic choice with such actions and statements," the reads statement signed by:

Transparency International-Georgia

Open Society Foundation

International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy

Georgian Strategy and International Relations Research Foundation

European Foundation

Atlantic Council of Georgia

Media Development Foundation

Economic Policy Research Center

Partnership for Human Rights

Society and Banks

United Nations Association of Georgia

Human Rights Center

Center for Research Journalism and Economic Analysis

Governance Monitoring Center

Georgian Reform Association

Georgian Democratic Initiative

Georgian Young Lawyers Association

Rights Georgia

Sapari

Tolerance and Diversity Institute

Institute for Democracy and Safe Development.