PM Kobakhidze: Law on Foreign Agents is intended to "prevent Ukrainization" of Georgia
Kyiv • UNN
Georgia's Prime Minister claims that the controversial law on "foreign agents" is aimed at preventing "Ukrainization" and protecting the country's sovereignty, despite Western criticism that it contradicts EU norms.
The adoption of the law on foreign agents is intended to "prevent the Ukrainization" of Georgia. This was stated by the country's Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, UNN reports with reference to Novosti Georgia.
"The draft law on transparency of foreign influence is primarily aimed at protecting Georgia from Ukrainization, strengthening its sovereignty and ensuring stable development of the country, which is a prerequisite for Georgia's integration into the European Union," Kobakhidze said.
He again accused a number of civil society organizations of attempting to "change the government" through a revolution in 2020-2022.
"If specific NGOs had achieved what they sought - organizing a revolution - in this case, both peace and European integration would have been left behind. I thank God that their efforts were not successful," he said.
According to the prime minister, the Georgian authorities will not refuse to adopt the law, despite criticism from partners. Kobakhidze believes that the draft law will not alienate Georgia from the EU, as the West warns, but will bring it closer, as transparency is a top priority for the EU.
"As for the statements of American and European politicians, it is a pity that none of these statements contained a single argument, I repeat, not a single argument. You've seen these statements, for example, by Stoltenberg, Scholz, a particular diplomat working in Georgia. Under such circumstances, the relevant statements will not be the basis for revising our decision," Kobakhidze said.
Recall
Today, on April 17, despite protests in Tbilisi against the "law on foreign agents," the Georgian parliament supported the controversial draft law "On Transparency of Foreign Influence" in the first reading.