Georgian PM highlights “absolutely constructive attitude” towards discussion on transparency bill with int’l partners

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”.