Georgian PM highlights “absolutely constructive attitude” towards discussion on transparency bill with int’l partners
The PM stressed the “destructive attitude” of the domestic opposition was “understandable” as they were “afraid to enter into the discussion” and could not present “any concrete legal remarks” regarding the bill, 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. Photo via Government Administration
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Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Sunday said his Government had “an absolutely constructive attitude” towards the discussion on the controversial domestic bill on the transparency of foreign influence with international partners.
We are grateful for the fact that for the first time, we have heard the readiness of foreign partners regarding the discussion”, Kobakhidze noted in his comments at the press briefing held in the Government Administration, adding the Government had already had conversations with the representatives of the European Union and OSCE.
The PM stressed the “destructive attitude” of the domestic opposition was “understandable” as they were “afraid to enter into the discussion” and could not present “any concrete legal remarks” regarding the bill, 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.
Kobakhidze claimed the proposed legislative piece stipulated “only one major regulation” - the annual submission of a declaration by non-governmental organisations, and emphasised “it is the minimum standard of transparency. [...] The minimum European standard that an NGO must meet”.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Sunday said the country’s Parliament would implement “the will of Georgian society tomorrow and the day after” by adopting the controversial domestic bill on transparency of foreign influence in its third reading.
Paweł Herczyński, the Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia, on Sunday said the bloc was and would continue working with all democratically elected Georgian Governments to move the country forward on the European integration path.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Sunday said “if Georgia’s international partners give acceptable recommendations” regarding the controversial domestic bill on transparency of foreign influence, the legislative body “will use a veto mechanism to ensure consideration of the recommendations”.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Sunday told the media that imposing sanctions on Georgia and the country’s officials was “not a serious topic” and said it was “impossible” to blackmail his Government and “especially the Georgian society with such threats”.