Day: May 28, 2024

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said today at the press-conference held following the final adoption by the Parliament of the Foreign Agents’ law that the adoption of the law “will create a better basis for ensuring Georgia’s accession to the European Union.”

“Citizens of Georgia have the right to know who is financed by whom in this country, who carries the positive or negative interests of a foreign power in Georgia, – the Prime Minister said speaking at the government administration.

According to him with this law the Georgian society will be “better protected from any attempt to encroach on the sovereignty of Georgia.”

He spoke yet again of the attempts at revolutions “by radical parties, NGOs and the media” in the last four years, adding that “What this country needs is not radicalization and constant attempts to organize a revolution, but calm and stability” adding that the law adopted by the Parliament of Georgia “serves this very important purpose.”

“I would like to thank each member of the Parliament of Georgia who supported the law “On transparency of foreign influence” and thereby showed loyalty to the national interests of Georgia, its independence and sovereignty,” PM said.

“I understand the indignation of the forces that planned to take advantage of the opacity, organize a revolution in Georgia, open a second front and Ukrainize Georgia.” They are “disappointed”, he argued, “because the transparency of foreign influence will effectively ensure against such a scenario.”

He claimed that “the law “On transparency of foreign influence” will contribute to the fulfillment of the main recommendation of the European Union – depolarization,” adding that “the pacification of Georgia” will encourage the strengthening of the country’s democratic institutions and rapid economic growth.

Therefore, Kobakhidze concluded “the Law on Transparency will create a better basis for ensuring Georgia’s accession to the European Union.” He further claimed that “by 2030, Georgia will be better prepared than all candidate countries for joining the European Union, and Georgia will become a member of the European Union with dignity, independence, freedom and sovereignty.”

Parliament overrides presidential veto in Georgia

84 votes for, 4 against – this is how the Parliament of Georgia overrode the president’s motivated objections related to the “foreign agents” law. The 4 opposing votes came from opposition deputies. The “Georgian Dream” party once again consolidated its majority with 84 deputies supporting it.

Parallel to the parliamentary confrontation, a protest rally is taking place outside the Parliament building. Minutes before the start of the rally, the number of law enforcement officers near the Parliament increased, and security measures were tightened, including cordoning off the area for deputies’ vehicles.

The deputies left the building amidst booing and cries of “slaves,” “Russians,” and “traitors.”

After the adoption of the law, the number of people gathering near the Parliament is expected to increase. They declare that the protest will become more massive and permanent.

The “foreign agents” law will be sent to the president once again for her signature. The president has three days to sign the law. To enter into force, the law requires the president’s signature within 5 days. The president has already stated that she will not do it. Therefore, the “Russian law” will come into force with the signature of the speaker of parliament, and after that, it will be valid.

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This bill is commonly referred to as “Russian law” because it is an analogue of the Russian law on foreign agents. According to the law, any non-governmental organization or media outlet whose income is funded by more than 20% from foreign sources will be classified as a foreign-funded organization. However, the vast majority of media and non-governmental organizations in Georgia are indeed financed in this way. The organization must register itself as an agent in a special registry. If it fails to do so, it will be fined 25,000 lari.

After the law is promulgated, there will be 60 days for the Ministry of Justice and the Public Registry’s National Agency “Registry for Foreign Agent Organizations” to be established. When this stage is completed, registration in the “Registry of Foreign Agents” will become mandatory.

President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva met with residents who relocated to Khojaly city  AzerNews.Az

Iran’s hard-line president Raisi killed in helicopter crash at 63  Voice of America – VOA News

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan Zheenbek Kulubaev will pay a working visit to Italy, Azernews reports.

The Black Sea Submarine Cable Project, which will transport green energy from Azerbaijan to Georgia and the EU across the Black Sea, will enable South Caucasus-EU trade in decarbonized energy, including electricity and hydrogen, Business Development Director Andrea Meola’s at CESI S.p.A. (the project’s consultant) said in his social networks, Azernews reports.

Georgian Parliament overrides President’s veto on transparency of foreign influence law  Agenda.ge