STOCKHOLM (Reuters) – European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Tuesday a draft law on “transparency of foreign influence” in Georgia was a “very bad development” for the country and could seriously affect its relationship with the EU.
“This is a very bad development for Georgia and its people,” Borrell said in a written statement.
Protesters in the small ex-Soviet state threw petrol bombs and stones at police on Tuesday night after parliament initially gave its support for a bill on “foreign agents” that critics say represents an authoritarian shift.
“The law in its current form could have a chilling effect on civil society and media organizations, with negative consequences for the many Georgians who benefit from their work. This law is inconsistent with EU values and standards,” Borrell said.
“It goes against Georgia’s stated goal of joining the European Union, which is supported by a large majority of Georgian citizens. Its final adoption could have serious implications for our relationship,” said Borrell, who is in Stockholm for a meeting of EU defense ministers.
Borrell said the EU “calls on Georgia to maintain its commitment to promoting democracy, the rule of law and human rights, and recalls people’s right to protest peacefully”.
(Reporting by Andrew Gray)
