EU Ambassador: So-called Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence, FARA law has nothing to do with European laws

“Since December 2023, unfortunately, Georgian authorities have decided not to adopt laws that we have in the European Union, that we call acquis communautaire, but to adopt laws that are contrary to EU rules, to EU regulations, to EU principles,”  EU Ambassador to Georgia Paweł Herczynski told reporters.

According to EU Ambassador, with these laws, it would be impossible for Georgia to become a member of the European Union.

“In March 2022, Georgia voluntarily applied to join the European Union. It was a Georgian Dream Prime Minister who signed an application letter. In December 2023, a year and a half later, EU member states, by unanimity, decided to formally grant Georgia a candidate status. What does it mean? It means that we have opened our doors for Georgia to become a member of the European Union. But in order for this to happen, Georgia needs, gradually, to become one of us. And for this, the key prerequisite is to adopt laws, rules and regulations that EU member states have.

Since that historic moment, since December 2023, unfortunately, Georgian authorities have decided not to adopt laws that we have in the European Union, that we call acquis communautaire, but to adopt laws that are contrary to EU rules, to EU regulations, to EU principles. And, unfortunately, the so-called Law on the Transparency of Foreign Influence and the so-called foreign agents – FARA law, which is a copy-paste from American legislation, has nothing to do with European laws.

And, by the way, several days ago you had Venice Commission, which is a body of the Council of Europe and Georgia is full member of the Council of Europe, saying very clearly in its latest legal opinion over 20 pages long, that these laws are not only contrary to European  acquis, European body of legislation, but they’re actually contradicting Georgia’s own responsibilities vis-a-vis Council of Europe.

This is a sad reality that, over a year and a half, in Georgia, many different laws have been introduced, not only the Law on Transparency, FARA, but also the amended Law on Grants, Law on Broadcasting, and many other laws. Practically every day, there are new, and, new laws that are being introduced or amended that go contrary to the principles upon which the European Union is built. And I really regret to say. But as HR/VP Kaja Kallas said loud and clear last Monday, with these laws, it would be impossible for Georgia to become a member of the European Union. I’m really sorry to say this so openly and so blatantly,” he said.