Georgian President’s veto on transparency law “offers moment for further reflection” - European Council President

Charles Michel, the President of the European Council, on Saturday said the Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili’s decision to veto the controversial domestic law on transparency of foreign influence “offers a moment for further reflection”.

Michel noted the law, in its current form, was “not in line” with the European Union values and path, and called on all politicians and leaders in Georgia to “make good use of this window of opportunity” and ensure the country “stays on the European course the population supports”.

In a social media post, the European Council President emphasised he would continue closely monitoring developments in Georgia.

Zourabichvili on Saturday vetoed the law, 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.

The legislative piece was adopted by the Parliament on Tuesday against the backdrop of ongoing public protests and criticism from Georgia’s foreign partner states.