EU Ambassador warns proposed legal amendments could negatively affect diplomatic missions in Georgia

EU Ambassador to Georgia Paweł Herczyński has expressed serious concern over a recently submitted package of amendments to the Law on Grants and related legislation, warning that, if adopted, the changes could “directly and negatively affect” the work of diplomatic missions in the country.

The EU Delegation to Georgia on Thursday announced Herczyński requested a meeting with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday and was received on Thursday by First Deputy Foreign Minister Giorgi Zurabashvili.

The purpose of the meeting was to convey the European Union’s concerns over the proposed amendments, which have already passed a first reading. The Ambassador said that approving the changes in their current form would pose another significant risk to civil space and political participation in Georgia.

Herczyński stressed that such measures would be incompatible with Georgia’s obligations under the EU–Georgia Association Agreement and contradict commitments the country has undertaken as an EU membership candidate.

He also noted that, if approved, the amendments could directly and negatively impact the activities of diplomatic missions operating in Georgia, which he said would run counter to the provisions and principles of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

During the meeting, the Georgian side also raised the issue of EU sanctions. According to the Ambassador, the 20th sanctions package against Russia, proposed by the European Commission on February 6, is currently under discussion by EU member states.

The sides agreed to remain in contact regarding further developments.