Paata Imnadze, the deputy director of the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC), stated that the United States of America is considering the suspension of "certain projects.”
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Imnadze made a comment to Formula, confirming information previously spread by the same TV company that the USA's financial assistance to the NCDC and the Lugar Laboratory had been stopped. Formula reported, citing a source, that part of the $95 million the government would no longer receive due to anti-democratic policies and anti-Western rhetoric was also intended for the NCDC.
"It has not been stopped; there are some projects being discussed [for suspension]," said Imnadze. When asked about the specific projects, he stated that he "can't say anything yet."
The former head of the National Center for Disease Control, Amiran Gamkrelidze, mentioned that according to his information, the final decisions would likely be made this week.
"The Center for Disease Control is a strategic institution. It's not just about Lugar! Yes, Lugar is the main laboratory of the NCDC, but with the help of the Americans, a unified system of laboratory supervision has been created in the country. This system includes 22 laboratories, with 10 under the NCDC and 12 under the Ministry of Agriculture, working under the so-called unified health principle. This encompasses the health of animals, people, and plants and is a key component of the country's biological security.
We are discussing whether these projects should be stopped, paused, or continued as they are. I don't know the specifics; the final decisions will likely be made this week, as far as I have information," Gamkrelidze told the Mtavari Arkhi. He hopes that the country's main partners will not apply this decision to the NCDC, as it concerns public health.
Following the adoption of the Russian Law, the US began a comprehensive review of its bilateral cooperation with Georgia. On July 31, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that they are suspending more than $95 million in aid that directly benefits the Georgian government. The reason for this decision is the government's anti-democratic actions and false statements, which, Blinken says, do not comply with the norms of EU and NATO membership.
"While we are suspending aid to the Government of Georgia because of these actions, the United States will continue to support programs and activities that benefit the Georgian people by strengthening democracy, the rule of law, and economic development," the Secretary of State said.
Shalva Papuashvili, the Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia, stated that he does not know "how much money we are talking about." According to Papuashvili, Georgia is not "a poor country dependent on subsidies from other countries."
