EU considers all options in response to Georgia's foreign agents law adoption
Photo: Charles Michel, President of the European Council (Getty Images)
The European Union is preparing a response after Georgia's parliament overrode a veto and finally adopted the controversial foreign agents law, according to the joint statement by the European Commission and the EU's chief diplomat, Josep Borrell, as well as the X account of the President of the European Council, Charles Michel.
Borrell and the European Commission reminded that the foreign agents law contradicts the principles and values of the European Union. Its adoption diverts Georgia from implementing the recommendations of the European Commission and will negatively impact the country's path towards the EU.
Georgia was urged to return firmly on the path towards the European Union, as "there is still time" for this.
"The EU and its Member States are considering all options to react to these developments," said a statement by Borrell and the European Commission.
In turn, Michel reminded that in December, the EU decided to grant Georgia candidate status for accession to the bloc.
"The adoption of the transparency law in the parliament is a step backward and takes Georgia further away from its EU path. The Georgian people have clearly chosen a future in the EU and we will do everything to support their ambitions," he added.
Preceding events
Today, on May 28, the Georgian Parliament overrode President Salome Zurabishvili's veto on the law on Transparency of Foreign Influence. This initiative was put forward by the pro-Russian ruling party Georgian Dream. It provides leverage over organizations that receive funding from abroad.
After the Parliament overrode the veto, the law was effectively adopted.
