Statement of the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Maka Botchorishvili at the Ministerial on the Resurgence of Political Terrorism in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Secretary, Excellencies, Distinguished Guests,

Let me begin by expressing my sincere appreciation to Secretary Rubio for placing the issue of political terrorism at the forefront of the international agenda. This discussion could not be more timely as we face complex and evolving challenges that directly affect our national interests, sovereignty, and security.

Around the world, radical groups operate under different ideological banners — including, at times, in the name of democracy. Yet their objective is not to strengthen democratic institutions, but to weaken them. The threat becomes even more serious when political actors without a democratic mandate are sustained through foreign funding and external support.

Georgia’s experience provides a compelling example of this challenge. Over the past several years, we have witnessed repeated attempts to polarize our society and undermine our democratic institutions under various pretexts. We have seen coordinated campaigns aimed at discrediting state institutions, including the judiciary, the electoral system, and other constitutional bodies. We have also witnessed attempts by radical groups to use violence and acts of sabotage as political instruments.

Equally concerning are efforts to exploit international institutions in order to legitimize such actions — through resolutions and other mechanisms designed to exert political pressure on sovereign states while undermining the reputation and credibility of these institutions. In some cases, these actions have also had broader consequences, contributing to the deterioration of relations between states and partners, weakening trust, and creating unnecessary divisions within the international community.

This should concern all of us. Because political terrorism does not always appear in its most visible form. It can also emerge through intimidation, political violence, and systematic efforts to weaken democratic institutions from within. It is a challenge for every democracy committed to protecting its institutions, its sovereignty, and the will of its people.

Mr. Secretary, thank you once again for ensuring that this important issue receives the attention it deserves.