“This is a law based on Russia’s interest, not Georgia’s interest,” said Todd D. Robinson, Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs at the US Department of State when remarking on the People’s Power-tabled Transparency of Foreign Influence bill.

“Obviously, this is a law based on Russia’s interest, not Georgia’s interest. And we think it’s in Georgia’s interest to work more closely towards Euro-Atlantic integration. This law doesn’t do that. We don’t think it’s the right thing for Georgia. More importantly, Georgians don’t think it’s the right thing for Georgia. And we will keep working with our partners in the government of Georgia to make sure that we’re working towards what is their priority, which is Euro-Atlantic integration,” he said.

Asked to comment about claims that “foreign agents” law is FARA copy-paste, Todd Robinson said:

“Look, I’m not going to get into the details of this law. What I know is that it’s not working for Georgia. It’s not working towards what Georgians want, which is Euro-Atlantic integration. We are helping, we are here to help Georgia towards its ambition, which is Euro-Atlantic integration, and that’s what we’re going to continue to do.”

Georgian Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee on Monday backed the People’s Power-tabled draft bills on Transparency of Foreign Influence and Registration of Foreign Agents in the first reading.