“We are friends of Georgia, we are friends of the Georgian people. We are extremely committed that Georgia’s place is in the very heart of Europe, and that means that we are working very hard on Georgia’s way towards the EU,” Michael Roth, the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the German Parliament (Bundestag), who is on a visit to Georgia, told journalists after a meeting with opposition representatives.

He urged the Georgian Government to withdraw the bill submitted to the Parliament.

“We send a clear message: We are friends of Georgia, we are friends of the Georgian people. We are extremely committed that Georgia’s place is in the very heart of Europe, and that means that we are working very hard on Georgia’s way towards the EU. But please, dear government, dear ruling party, stop this ‘Foreign Agents’ law. I do not see any chance for a bright future of Georgia if the government does not withdraw this law. My appreciation goes to the people who demonstrating on the streets peacefully. Tbilisi is the true capital of Europe in this challenging time, and I very much hope we will have the chance to talk to the representatives of the government, parliament, opposition and also civil society,” said Michael Roth.

When asked whether Georgia will have a chance to start negotiations on joining the European Union, if this law is approved, Roth answered: “No, definitely not”.

“I don’t see any chance of opening negotiations with this law, and this message from the EU is very, very clear,” said Michael Roth.