The News in Brief
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
Prepared by Messenger Staff
U.S. Embassy in Georgia Says Kremlin Targeting Civil Society
The draft law 'Agent of foreign influence' initiated by People's Power was registered at the session of the Parliament's Bureau on February 20, 2023 and handed over to the Legal Committee for consideration.
American Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan met with civil sector representatives. After the meeting, the American Embassy issued a statement saying that without a strong civil society, democracy has no hope of success.
"It is no coincidence that civil society in Georgia is one of the Kremlin's targets. Undoubtedly, a strong democracy brings prosperity and security. But without a strong civil society, democracy has no hope of success.
The United States will continue to support and work with Georgian civil society to strengthen Georgian institutions. "Georgia must continue its democratic reforms to achieve the goal of a more secure and prosperous European future - this is what the citizens of Georgia want and what they deserve," the statement reads.
President Zourabichvili Does Not Support 'Foreign Influence' Bill
The President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili has issued a statement regarding the "Agent of Foreign Influence bill".
"It is at the time when the initial evaluation of the implementation of the 12 recommendations of the European Commission is being prepared, when the approach of February 24, for all three countries of the associated trio, makes the issue of the European future more and more urgent, it is at this time that one of the political groups chooses to initiate a law, which in its content It brings us closer to the vicious model of Russia, not Europe.
And this happens at a time when a delegation of American senators has arrived in the country! We can't really blame all this on chance. A force has been developed that, instead of strengthening Georgia's European path, considers another path as Georgian interest.
The President of Georgia cannot support such legislation and the prosecution of new agents," the President wrote.
U.S. Embassy in Georgia Says Kremlin Targeting Civil Society
American Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan met with civil sector representatives. After the meeting, the American Embassy issued a statement saying that without a strong civil society, democracy has no hope of success.
"It is no coincidence that civil society in Georgia is one of the Kremlin's targets. Undoubtedly, a strong democracy brings prosperity and security. But without a strong civil society, democracy has no hope of success.
The United States will continue to support and work with Georgian civil society to strengthen Georgian institutions. "Georgia must continue its democratic reforms to achieve the goal of a more secure and prosperous European future - this is what the citizens of Georgia want and what they deserve," the statement reads.
President Zourabichvili Does Not Support 'Foreign Influence' Bill
"It is at the time when the initial evaluation of the implementation of the 12 recommendations of the European Commission is being prepared, when the approach of February 24, for all three countries of the associated trio, makes the issue of the European future more and more urgent, it is at this time that one of the political groups chooses to initiate a law, which in its content It brings us closer to the vicious model of Russia, not Europe.
And this happens at a time when a delegation of American senators has arrived in the country! We can't really blame all this on chance. A force has been developed that, instead of strengthening Georgia's European path, considers another path as Georgian interest.
The President of Georgia cannot support such legislation and the prosecution of new agents," the President wrote.