Georgian PM says “elements of constructiveness” can be observed in position of Intl partners on transparency law
The PM emphasised that if “until now” there were only general and unclear statements from international partners saying that the bill “was not suitable”, now we see more readiness to show a “constructive approach and enter into a specific discussion” regarding the draft law before its adoption. Photo: Government Administration
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Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday said recently the “elements of constructiveness” can be observed in the position of the international partners and an “impression was created about the readiness” to discuss the norms of the domestic bill on transparency of foreign influence that has sparked public protests and criticism by some of the country’s foreign partners.
He also said it “was possible” to use the Presidential veto procedure in order to reconcile positions of his Government regarding the bill.
I see positive changes, including after the last meetings, I got the impression that now there is a readiness for discussion regarding the norms of the law. I explained to our partners that it is possible to reconcile positions within the veto procedure. We know that Salome Zourabichvili [Georgian President] does not write the veto bills herself, either NGOs write them or they are written from outside, therefore, we can use this lever once again and it is possible to use the veto procedure in order for us to reconcile the positions regarding this bill. Here already, in principle, our partners will be forced to present specific remarks and reflect the President's veto” he noted.
The PM emphasised that if “until now” there were only general and unclear statements from international partners saying that the bill “was not suitable”, now we see more readiness to show a “constructive approach and enter into a specific discussion” regarding the draft law before its adoption.
The legislative piece, which calls for the 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, was supported by 83 MPs in the 150-member lawmaking body.
It requires groups “considered to be an organisation pursuing the interests of a foreign power” to be registered in the public registry with the status and publicise their received funding.