EU welcomes withdrawal of foreign agents bill

The European Union representation in Georgia on Thursday welcomed the decision of the Georgian Dream ruling party to withdraw the foreign agents bill amid protests. 

 

‘We encourage all political leaders in Georgia to resume pro-European reforms, in an inclusive and constructive way and in line with the 12 priorities for Georgia to achieve candidate status”, the mission said. 

 

In a statement earlier on Thursday the GD  claimed the “radical wing” of the domestic opposition had managed to “mislead” the public over the draft law proposed by its former members who still remain in the parliamentary majority and that envisaged the registration of domestic NGOs and media organizations as foreign agents if they obtained more than 20 percent of their funds from abroad. 

 

“We should be most careful about peace, tranquility and economic development in our country, as well as Georgia’s progress on the path of European integration. Therefore, it is necessary for the energy of each of our fellow citizens to be spent not on confrontation, but on developing the country in the right direction”, the party said.

 

It noted after turmoil was eased, they would “better explain to the public” that the bill “had nothing to do with the Russian law” and what its genuine goals were.