Borrell: law on foreign agents that provoked protests in Tbilisi is incompatible with EU values

MOSCOW, 8 Mar – The head of EU diplomacy, Josep Borrell, said that the bill on foreign agents, which provoked protests in Tbilisi, is incompatible with EU values ​​and contradicts Georgia’s goal of joining the union.

The head of EU diplomacy noted that the European Union calls on Georgia, in the light of the adoption of the law on foreign agents, to maintain a commitment to democracy, the rule of law and human rights. Borrell also noted the people’s right to peaceful protest.

A protest rally has been taking place in Tbilisi in front of the parliament building since Tuesday morning, the protesters oppose the adoption of the bill on foreign agents, which was adopted in the evening in the first reading.

Earlier, the Georgian parliament received a draft law on the transparency of foreign influence, according to which it is proposed to create in the country a register of non-governmental organizations, media and entities receiving funding from a foreign state. Representatives of the ruling Georgian Dream party, who represent the parliamentary majority, told reporters that they intended to support the new bill, and if President Salome Zurabishvili vetoed it, the deputies would try to overcome it. Oppositionists believe that the bill is a “Russian version” and alienates the country from the European Union.