Following German Chancellor Olaf Sholtz’s call to revoke the ‘foreign agents’ law as it does not correspond to European standards, PM Irakli Kobakhidze insisted the law’s aims are legitimate and are ‘fully in line with legal standards” and would not negatively impact NGOs.

Reiterating Georgia's commitment to the EU Commission's recommendations, Olaf Scholz, at a press conference with PM Kobakhidze, called for free and fair parliamentary elections in 2024 as a basis for further processes made possible by granting Georgia EU candidate status.

'The EU has no such law. There are discussions to do something that makes certain areas transparent. But this is a different law, a different concept and has not been decided,' Olaf Scholz responded to GD-linked TV Imedi's claim West also adopts similar laws on transparency.

'Our criticism remains the same as before. We hope that this law will not be adopted and will be oriented towards critical statements from us and others. We believe that such laws are not needed,' the German Chancellor said at a press conference with Irakli Kobakhidze

EU Ambassador to Georgia Pawel Herczynski says Georgia’s draft law on ‘foreign agents’ is incompatible with European norms and will complicate opening of accession talks. Ambassador Herczynski also calls “ensuring transparency” “absolutely legitimate”

Georgia’s draft ‘foreign agents’ law is not in accordance with EU standards, German Ambassador to Georgia Peter Fischer says

“This draft law is incompatible with European norms and European values, and especially in the current context, it will be very difficult for the European Commission to make a positive assessment if this law is adopted,” EU ambassador to Georgia, Paweł Herczynski said.

Civil society organizations are crucial for Georgia’s EU accession,” Dutch ambassador Meline Arakelian said citing EU’s PSC-ambassadors: “Time is short and time is now to implement 9 steps and avoid any decisions that could obstruct the way toward EU.”

“The time is short, and the time is now to implement the Nine Steps and avoid any decisions that could obstruct the way toward the EU,” Members of the EU Political and Security Committee stated following their visit to Georgia, raising concerns about‘foreign agent’ bill.

“No union is worth sacrificing the interests of my country and people,” Kakha Kaladze, Tbilisi Mayor and GD Secretary General, said, referring to the “foreign agent” bill.

“When you have draft legislation, if your Western partners and friends all have said they have serious concerns with that legislation, but your occupiers have welcomed it, you have to ask whether it's a good thing for your country,” US Ambassador to Georgia Robin Dunnigan

“The proposed foreign agent law is incompatible with an EU membership,” Chairman of Bundestag’s Foreign Affairs Committee Michael Roth - official 🇪🇺🇺🇦🇮🇱 wrote on X. “Georgian Dream should listen to its people: 90% of Georgians want to join the EU, not Putin’s Russia,” he added.

“Concerned about legislative initiatives in 🇬🇪's Parliament that risk moving Georgia away from Europe. The U.S. will always speak up in defense of human rights for all, including freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly,” US Assistant Secretary of State Jim O’Brien wrote on X

Thousands rally in Tbilisi condemning Georgian Dream’s plan to push the Russian-style ‘foreign agents’ law. The rally also commemorated the April 9, 1989 tragedy when Soviet troops killed 21 peaceful demonstrators demanding Georgian independence

'Georgia was granted EU candidate status on the understanding that it will implement the nine steps outlined by the European Commission. Repeated attempts to pass the law on 'foreign agents' contradict fundamental EU values and might undermine GE's European perspective,' Gabrielius Landsbergis🇱🇹

“Freedom of the press and media [...] are the foundations of any democracy and important preconditions for joining the EU,” Foreign Office Spokesperson Sebastian Fischer said, Deutsche Welle the German Public Broadcaster reported.

'Norway is concerned by legal initiatives in Georgia on “foreign influence” & “family values', which stigmatise civil society & LGBTQI+ persons. Would undermine important values, Georgia's democracy & Euro-Atlantic path,' Norway MFA stated.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaks on Georgian Dream's reintroduction of the Russia-style 'foreign agents' law

“It is very unfortunate that the ruling party is trying to divide the people before the elections, is trying to exert pressure and undermine what has already been achieved and appreciated by granting the candidate status,” Anna Fotyga said.

GD government has denied President Salome Zourabichvili’s request for a work visit to Lithuania. It remains unclear whether or not the president will still embark on her trip to Lithuania.