Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev has commented on Armenia’s plans to begin preparing an application to join the European Union, saying Yerevan would ultimately fail to secure EU membership but could seriously damage its relations with Russia and other members of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
The International Press Institute (IPI) has expressed concern over new legislative initiatives by the Georgian government and ruling party that restrict independent media funding.
The proposed amendments criminalize receiving foreign funding without government permission, punishable by up to six years in prison. Furthermore, a new article on "money laundering for political purposes" is being introduced, punishing journalists with prison terms of nine to 12 years.
Human rights activists emphasize that these measures threaten the survival of Georgian media outlets and call for international sanctions against Georgian government officials. International organizations also supported the launch of the OSCE's "Moscow Mechanism" and called on the Georgian parliament to abandon these amendments.