EU accession talks with Georgia should be deferred until transparency bill is rejected – EP

The European Parliament issued a resolution on Thursday regarding Georgia’s transparency bill on foreign influence, asserting that initiation of accession negotiations with Georgia should be postponed until the bill is rejected.

The resolution garnered support from 425 MEPs, with 25 opposed and 30 abstaining. The European Parliament strongly denounced the reintroduction of the bill in March by the ruling Georgian Dream party, emphasizing its incompatibility with EU values and its detrimental impact on Georgia’s aspirations for Euro-Atlantic integration.

Furthermore, the resolution criticized the Georgian government’s adoption of legislation “reminiscent of Russian practices” on foreign agents, underlining the imperative of safeguarding civil society freedoms. It also condemned the “excessive use of police force” against demonstrators, urging comprehensive investigations and accountability measures for those implicated.

Emphasizing unwavering support for the legitimate European aspirations of the Georgian people, the resolution reiterated the EU’s commitment to assisting Georgia on its path towards integration.Meanwhile, despite ongoing protests, the Georgian Parliament proceeded with the first reading of the Transparency of Foreign Influence bill on April 17.  The final reading is slated for May 17, raising concerns among partner countries and organizations about potential obstacles to Georgia’s European integration posed by the law’s ramifications.