Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Oliver Várhelyi, Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement issued a joint statement on the adoption of the bill On Transparency of Foreign Influence.

“Today, the Georgian Parliament passed the “transparency of foreign influence” law in its first reading, despite repeated calls by the European Union to retract such legislation, and despite the mass protests.

This is a very concerning development and the final adoption of this legislation would negatively impact Georgia’s progress on its EU path. This law is not in line with EU core norms and values.

Georgia has a vibrant civil society that contributes to the country’s successful progress towards EU membership. The proposed legislation would limit the capacity of civil society and media organisations to operate freely, could limit freedom of expression and unfairly stigmatise organisations that deliver benefits to the citizens of Georgia.

The EU urges Georgia to refrain from adopting legislation that can compromise Georgia’s EU path, a path supported by the overwhelming majority of Georgian citizens,” reads the statement.

On April 17, the Georgian parliament adopted the draft bill On Transparency of Foreign Influence with the first reading at the plenary sitting.