In a joint statement, leading Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have expressed their deep concern over the adoption of the “foreign agent law” by the Georgian Parliament. The Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, David McAllister (Germany) – Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands, the Chair of the Delegation for relations with the South Caucasus, Marina Kaljurand (Estonia) – Sotsiaaldemokraatlik Erakond, and the European Parliament’s Standing Rapporteur on Georgia, Sven Mikser (Estonia) – Sotsiaaldemokraatlik Erakond, have all signed the statement.
The MEPs deplore the adoption of the law, stating, “We are greatly disappointed that the ruling majority has ignored the concerns expressed by human rights watchdogs and international partners, including the EU and the US. We urge the Georgian authorities to withdraw the law before it causes deeper rifts within Georgia and further jeopardises the country’s international standing and its European future.”
The statement also reiterates the MEPs’ full solidarity with the Georgian people who are defending democratic values and demonstrating for their country’s Euro-Atlantic future. They call on the government in Tbilisi to de-escalate immediately by refraining from any further use of force against peaceful protesters, opposition politicians, NGOs, and independent media protesting against the law. They warn that any violence or continued intimidation against the protesters is an infringement of the right to peaceful protest and therefore unacceptable.
Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament (Estonia)
The MEPs emphasize that creating a friendly environment for civil society and media freedom is core to any democracy and a crucial requirement for EU accession. They call on the Council and the European Commission to reconsider EU-Georgia relations, including political and financial support to the country. They also call on the Commission to provide an immediate oral assessment on how the foreign agent law will impact Georgia’s EU accession process, as already proposed by 12 Foreign Ministers.
