EU Member States Criticize Georgia’s “Foreign Agent” Draft Law
Individual EU member states express their criticism towards the draft “foreign agent” law elaborated by People’s Power and actively promoted by the ruling Georgian Dream party. The Norwegian MFA commented on the bill, tweeting it is “against Georgian people’s steadfast European aspirations and international human rights obligations.” The MFA of Norway unequivocally said the adoption of the bill will negatively affect bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
Norway provides funding for a rather extensive project portfolio in Georgia that includes promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplace, marketplace, and community. Norwegian investors are involved in Georgia in several areas, including in green energy (more specifically, hydropower), transport and shipping, and fish farming. According to Helene Sand Andresen, the Norwegian Ambassador their main priority from the previous years – assisting Georgia in its European and Euro-Atlantic integration – will continue in 2023. Norway will remain Georgia’s close partner and supporter in this historic undertaking.
Disturbed by ??draft law defining CSOs as “foreign agents”. Against Georgian people’s steadfast European aspirations and int. #HumanRights obligations.
Will negatively affect ??norw-georgian cooperation??. ??urges lawmakers to act in the interest of ??democracy #NorwayinGeorgia— Norway MFA (@NorwayMFA) February 25, 2023
Maaike Van Koldam, the Dutch Ambassador to Georgia, expressed concern about the draft law on agents of foreign influence. According to van Koldam, the Dutch Embassy is a major donor and “supporter of civil society organizations”. Later, she tweeted: “Strong civil society & media freedom are crucial in Georgia reform process and will continue to receive Netherlands’ full support. The draft law is inconsistent with EU aspirations and EU norms and values.”
Strong civil society & media freedom are crucial in ?? reform process and will continue to receive ?? full support. The draft law is inconsistent with ?? aspirations and ?? norms and values. https://t.co/I6ri1E1uVR
— Maaike van Koldam (@MaaikevanKoldam) February 25, 2023
According to Ulrik Tideström, Ambassador of Sweden to Georgia, draft law on “agents of foreign influence” is inconsistent with EU norms and values, and with Georgia’s EU aspirations. Civil society and free media are at the core of democracy, development and EU integration.
?? draft law on “agents of foreign influence” is inconsistent with ?? norms and values, and with Georgia’s EU aspirations. Civil society and free media are at the core of democracy, development and EU integration. They will continue to have full ?? support. https://t.co/TlwIxquZPk
— Ulrik Tideström ???? (@UTidestrom) February 25, 2023
The “People’s Power” introduced its draft law — titled “On Transparency of Foreign Influence” — in Parliament on February 14 for debate. The draft law stipulates that all media outlets and NGOs that receive more than 20% of their funding from foreign sources should register as “foreign agents” and report their total annual revenue.
Also Read:
- 27/02/2023 – United Nations in Georgia Expresses Concern over Draft Law on Foreign Agents
- 25/02/2023 – Spokesperson of EU High Representative Borrell Issues Critical Statement on the Draft Law on Foreign Agents
- 23/02/2023 – TI: Georgian Parliament Must Reject Proposed “Foreign Agents” Law
- 22/02/2023 – UPDATED: “Georgian Dream” Promotes Draft Law on Foreign Agents, Multipies Tactical Narratives
- 21/02/2023 – People’s Power Unveils Plans to Register Alternative Bill on Foreign Agents
- 20/02/2023 – President Refuses to Support Draft Law on Foreign Agents
- 17/02/2023 – Public Defender’s Office Slams Draft Law on Foreign Agents
- 17/02/2023 – PACE Rapporteurs Urge Political Parties not to Adopt Draft Law on Foreign Agents
- 16/02/2023 – U.S. ‘Deeply Concerned’ about Draft Law on Foreign Agents
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