Speakers of the parliaments of seven EU member countries (Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, France, the Netherlands, Poland) called on the Georgian authorities and the ruling deputies of the Georgian Dream to withdraw the law on foreign agents.
“The spirit and content of the bill “On Transparency of Foreign Influence” adopted by the Georgian Parliament are incompatible with European norms and values. The law in its current form is aimed at silencing the media and civil society organizations that play a vital role in a democratic society and in helping Georgia on its way to the EU. We call on you to withdraw this law and begin a dialogue with civil society. We also call on you to respect the fundamental right of assembly and stop using force against peaceful demonstrators,” says the appeal addressed to Speaker of Parliament Shalva Papuashvili.
On May 14, despite mass protests and calls from foreign partners, the ruling party in the Georgian parliament adopted a law on foreign agents. On May 18, President Salome Zurabishvili vetoed it, calling it a “Russian law.” However, the initiators of the bill promised to overcome the presidential ban.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell noted that in June, taking into account the situation, the EU Council will make a decision regarding Georgia.
