MEPs urge action against Georgia over contentious foreign agents law
A group of 31 MEPs has addressed a letter to the European Union's foreign affairs chief, Josep Borrell, proposing several measures, including suspending Georgia's status as a candidate country and halting its accession process. The main concern revolves around the proposed law for foreign agents, which critics argue could be used to silence opposition voices.
7 May 2024 19:31
In their communication to Borrell, the MEPs also called for a review of the EU's macro-financial assistance to Georgia and an immediate evaluation of the country's progress in implementing the nine steps recommended by the European Commission in November 2023. These steps are crucial for Georgia to meet to advance on its path to EU membership.
Georgia takes cues from Russia
This legislative effort is not the parliament's first in this direction; a previous initiative was abandoned a year ago after sparking widespread protests in Georgia, drawing criticism from international bodies, including the UN, the United States, and the EU.
The foreign agents law—a setback for EU aspirations?
The signatories believe that Georgia is jeopardizing its European Union membership dreams by pursuing a law that deviates from democratic norms. They are particularly concerned about the government's attempts to suppress peaceful protests.
The MEPs argue this approach contradicts the commitments made by the Georgian government when the country was granted candidate status. "The European Union cannot overlook this," they assert, calling for a strong message to be sent to the Georgian authorities.
One of the letter's signatories, Lithuanian liberal Petras Ausztreviczius, expressed through the X service, "The behaviour of the Georgian authorities and the ruling Georgian Dream party is not in line with a candidate country's obligations to the EU. This is why we demand the suspension of Georgia's candidacy and a halt to any further accession proceedings."