MEPs Call for Reevaluation of EU-Georgia Relations Amid Adoption of "Foreign Agent" Law
By Liza Mchedlidze
Friday, May 17, 2024
In a joint statement issued by MEPs David McAllister, Marina Kaljurand, and Sven Mikser, strong disapproval was expressed regarding the adoption of Georgia's "foreign agent law" by the Georgian Parliament. The statement emphasized deep disappointment with the ruling majority's disregard for concerns raised by human rights watchdogs and international partners, including the EU and the US.
The MEPs urged Georgian authorities to retract the law promptly to prevent further divisions within Georgia and to safeguard the country's international reputation and European aspirations. The statement reaffirmed full solidarity with the Georgian people, highlighting their defense of democratic principles and advocacy for a Euro-Atlantic future.
The statement called for immediate de-escalation by the Georgian Dream government, urging them to refrain from using force against peaceful demonstrators, opposition figures, NGOs, and independent media protesting against the law. Any acts of violence or intimidation against protesters are condemned as a violation of the right to peaceful protest, deemed unacceptable in a democratic society.
The MEPs stressed the importance of fostering a supportive environment for civil society and media freedom, citing these as essential elements for democracy and fundamental requirements for EU accession.
Moreover, the joint statement called upon the Council and the European Commission to reconsider the nature of EU-Georgia relations, including political and financial support for the country, in light of recent developments. Specifically, the MEPs urge the Commission to promptly provide an oral assessment on how the implementation of the foreign agent law could impact Georgia's EU accession process.
"We deplore the adoption of the "foreign agent law" by the Georgian Parliament. 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 jeopardizes the country's international standing and its European future. We reiterate our full solidarity with the Georgian people who are defending democratic values and demonstrating for their country's Euro-Atlantic future.
The government in Tbilisi must de-escalate immediately by refraining from any further use of force against peaceful protesters, opposition politicians, NGOs and independent media protesting against the law. Any violence or continued intimidation against the protesters is an infringement of the right to peaceful protest and therefore unacceptable. Creating a friendly environment for civil society and media freedom is core to any democracy and a crucial requirement for EU accession. We call on the Council and the European Commission to reconsider EU-Georgia relations, including our political and financial support to the country.
We 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," read the letter.
