Georgian PM: “no arguments” in US, European officials’ criticism of bill on transparency of foreign influence

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Wednesday claimed “no arguments” had been given by officials from the United States and European states in their criticism of the controversial bill on transparency of foreign influence, which has sparked protests in the country following its reintroduction by the ruling party this month.

Kobakhidze said he had “offered everyone, be it a diplomat or a foreign politician, an open discussion” about the bill, which calls for registration of non-commercial legal entities and media outlets in the country as “pursuing the interests of a foreign power” if they derive more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad.

Speaking at a press briefing at the Government Administration, the PM said his offer last week to ambassadors in Georgia to join the discussion was “important in order for the Georgian society to receive complete information regarding the draft bill”.

He added it was a “pity that no arguments have been given recently in any of the statements from foreign politicians”, in reference to comments by officials of partner states and blocs.

You saw the statements of [NATO Secretary General] Stoltenberg, [and German Chancellor] Scholz. Today, another specific statement of a diplomat working in Georgia was published”, he said in reference to statement of the EU Ambassador to Georgia, who cited position of Charles Michel, the President of the European Council, who said the adoption of the law would take Georgia “further away from the EU and not [bring it] closer”, and called the legislative piece an “obstacle” which was not in compliance with the norms and values of the bloc.

“Not a single argument against the bill has been made - zero arguments. We can pick out texts together [and see that] there are zero arguments anywhere. They tell us that the bill is against European values. In what part, which article, why - zero arguments. In such circumstances, unargumentative statements naturally cannot become a basis for revising our decision”, he added.

The PM also said “if certain ambassadors accredited in Georgia or foreign politicians want to be part of political debates” they should “engage in an open discussion in public”.