Georgia's parliament on Tuesday passed the third and final reading of a "foreign agents" bill, prompting a warning from the United States that if the legislation failed to meet European Union standards, Washington could review relations.
In Washington, the White House said the United States was "deeply troubled" by the "Kremlin-style" agents legislation. "If this legislation passes, this will compel us to fundamentally reassess our relationship with Georgia," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, according to Reuters.
After passage on the third reading, the bill now goes to President Salome Zourabichvili, who has said she will veto it, but her decision can be overridden by another vote in parliament, controlled by the ruling party and its allies.
The law would require organizations receiving more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register as agents of foreign influence, imposing onerous disclosure requirements and punitive fines for violations.
Opponents see the bill as a test of whether the country stays on a path toward integration with Europe or pivots back towards Russia.
Meanwhile, US Assistant Secretary of State James O'Brien, visiting Tbilisi, said Washington could impose financial and travel restrictions unless the bill underwent change or if security forces forcibly broke up protests as has occurred in recent weeks.
"If the law goes forward without conforming to EU norms and this kind of rhetoric and aspersions against the U.S. and other partners continue, I think the relationship is at risk," he said.
The bill passed with 84 members of parliament out of 150 voting in favor. Georgian television broadcast scuffles between the ruling party and opposition lawmakers during the debate.
MNA
Your Comment