NewsMEPs urge action against Georgia over contentious foreign agents law

MEPs urge action against Georgia over contentious foreign agents law

Protesters in Tbilisi against the "foreign agents" law

Images source: © Getty Images | Anadolu

7 May 2024 19:31

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.

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

MEPs are reacting to the controversial draft law on the transparency of foreign influences, dubbed the "foreign agents law," currently under consideration in the Georgian parliament. The legislation, inspired by a similar law in Russia, mandates legal entities and media outlets receiving more than 20% of their financing from abroad to register and report as foreign influence agents.

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.

The authors of the letter have previously shown support for Georgia's EU ambitions, stressing that their support continues but hinges on Georgia's adherence to democratic principles. "The democratic criteria for all EU candidate countries are identical and must be respected," they stated.

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."

An appeal by some MEPs regarding Georgia

The letter has garnered signatures from 31 MEPs associated with various political groups, including the Christian Democratic European People's Party, the liberal Renew Europe, the Greens, and the social democratic S&D. Notable signatories include German Green MEP Viola von Cramon-Taubadel and former Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt of Renew Europe.

EU spokesperson Peter Stano, addressing the MEPs' appeal, emphasized that suspending a candidate country's accession process requires unanimous consent from all member states, a decision that lies beyond the Commission's purview, which can only make recommendations.

Georgia, which was granted EU candidate status in December 2023, enjoys widespread public support for its EU accession, with surveys indicating that approximately 80% of Georgians favor joining the Union.