“We are supporters of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and press freedom is one of those,” said Kaja Kallas, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, before the commencement of the EU Foreign Affairs Council.

Kallas was asked: “How can the European Union support the Georgian people, the media, and civil society amid the passage of laws in Georgia targeting NGOs, journalists, media outlets, and politicians?”

“I expect some of the ministers to also raise this issue. As we have done before, we are supporters of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and press freedom is one of those. So, we definitely expect that we will take steps towards those who are conducting this,” Kallas responded.

For context, the majority leader, Irakli Kirtskhalia, announced following the parliamentary majority session on January 28 that several legislative amendments had been drafted. Notably, according to Kirtskhalia, an amendment has been made to Georgia’s Law on Grants, establishing criminal liability and making external lobbying punishable. Amendments have also been prepared to the Law on Political Associations of Citizens and legislation concerning the public political activity of entrepreneurial entities.