We regret the adoption of the "Foreign Agents Law" by the Parliament of Georgia. We are very disappointed that the ruling majority has ignored the concerns of human rights monitors and international partners, including the EU and the US, - this was noted in a joint statement issued by MEPs David McAllister and Sven Mikser.
"We call on the Georgian authorities to withdraw the law before it causes a deeper division within Georgia and creates an even greater threat to the country's international status and its European future," the statement said.
MEPs express their solidarity with the Georgian people, who, according to them, defend democratic values and hold demonstrations for the Euro-Atlantic future of their country.
"The Government of Georgia must immediately de-escalate and refrain from further use of force against peaceful protesters, opposition politicians, non-governmental organizations and independent media protesting the law." "Any violence or intimidation towards the participants of the rally is a violation of the right to peaceful protest and is therefore unacceptable," the statement said.
MEPs say that creating a friendly environment for civil society and media freedom is the basis of any democracy and a crucial requirement for EU membership.
"We call on the European Council and the European Commission to review the EU-Georgia relations, including our political and financial support for the country. We call on the Commission to immediately give an oral assessment of how the "foreign agents" law will affect the process of Georgia's accession to the European Union, as already proposed by 12 foreign ministers," the MEPs said in a statement.
