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Georgian PM: Gov’t’s willingness to discuss “legal notes” on transparency law expressed to European Council President

"We are absolutely open to any type of consultations related to this law, [...] if anyone has any legal input, which we have not received so far”, Kobakhidze told the media. Photo via Government Administration

Agenda.ge, 16 May 2024 - 23:03, Tbilisi,Georgia

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Thursday said he had confirmed his Government’s willingness to discuss “legal notes” on the newly adopted law on transparency of foreign influence during his phone conversations with Charles Michel, the President of the European Council.

We are absolutely open to any type of consultations related to this law, [...] if anyone has any legal input, which we have not received so far”, Kobakhidze told the media.

The Parliament on Tuesday adopted the foreign influence bill reintroduced by the ruling Georgian Dream party against the backdrop of ongoing public protests and criticism from some of Georgia's foreign partner states.

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 84 MPs in the 150-member lawmaking body, with 30 voting against.

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