US ambassador says Georgian gov't giving up on 'Euro-Atlantic future'
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The Georgian parliament approved the measure regulating foreign agents and lawmakers are now expected to vote on the proposed bill in its third reading in two weeks.
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Demonstrators blocked by the police wave an EU flag during an opposition protest near the Parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia on May 1, 2024 (AP)
US Ambassador to Tbilisi Robin Dunnigan voiced alarm on Thursday over Georgia's contentious bill on foreign agents and the enormous protests it prompted, claiming that recent choices by Georgian authorities had taken the country "away from its Euro-Atlantic future."
The Georgian parliament approved the measure regulating foreign agents and lawmakers are now expected to vote on the proposed bill in its third reading in two weeks, and then overcome a veto guaranteed by Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili in around four weeks, according to Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.
Thousands of demonstrators gathered in #Tbilisi to protest a new proposed bill that seeks to limit foreign influence in Georgian politics through NGOs.
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) March 8, 2023
So what's happening in #Georgia? pic.twitter.com/OX340Orl63
In a statement by the embassy, Dunnigan expressed "deep concern" about the choices of the Georgian government saying they deviate from its "Euro-Atlantic future, a destination desired by the overwhelming majority of Georgians. Unfortunately, the ruling party appears determined to advance legislation that the EU has clearly said is incompatible with Georgia's EU aspirations."
He also accused certain factions of the ruling Georgian Dream party of "attacking the greatest supporters of Georgia's sovereignty," referring to the US and the EU, and stated that Washington would remain committed to ensuring Georgia's future in Europe.
"We urge the Georgian government to recommit the country to its Euro-Atlantic future, as written in Georgia's constitution," citing that the US "only wants peace, stability, and prosperity for the Georgian people."
Last March, in a first reading vote, the Georgian parliament approved a law on the transparency of foreign influence 76 to 13. The statute calls for compiling a list of people and organizations that receive funding from overseas.
This sparked widespread protests and concerns among the opposition, who are concerned that it will allow the government to suppress the work of NGOs and activists in the country.
Protesters were seen outside waving EU flags, and US and Ukraine flags were also seen among the group of protesters.
US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said on Wednesday that the bill was "Kremlin-inspired".
Meanwhile, the government maintained that this is intended to limit foreign meddling in Georgian politics.
Following two days of violent protests, the ruling Georgian Dream party announced its decision to withdraw the bill from the Parliament.
Despite meeting their demands on the withdrawal of the bill, protesters reaffirmed their resolve to continue fighting for what they described as Georgia's European identity.
