The US has suspended aid to the Georgian government and will direct funds to local NGOs and media outlets
The US has suspended aid to Georgia due to the country's foreign agent law, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced. Instead, financial support will be provided to Georgian non-profit organizations and media outlets.
Following the anti-democratic actions of the Georgian government, bilateral cooperation between the countries was reviewed. The US has decided to suspend over $95 million in aid to Tbilisi to support the Georgian government. The suspended financial aid will be used to support Georgian NGOs and media outlets.
"We will continue to support programs and activities that benefit the Georgian people by strengthening democracy, the rule of law, independent media, and economic development," said US State Department spokesman Vedant Patel. He called on the Georgian government to return to the democratic path by withdrawing the foreign agent law and other problematic bills.
Since August 1, according to the law on foreign agents, Georgian NGOs and media outlets are required to enter information about their sources of funding into a special register. Otherwise, they face large fines.
