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Georgian PM states readiness to discuss changes to foreign agents law

The Georgian legislature passed a bill On Transparency of Foreign Influence, also known as the foreign agent bill, in the third reading on May 14

TBILISI, December 20. /TASS/. Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said he is ready to discuss amendments to the law on foreign agents.

"They should substantiate to us which part of this law (on foreign agents — TASS) violates legal principles. If we are provided proof of these legal errors, we are ready to revise it," Kobakhidze said at a press conference.

Secretary General of the European Council Alain Berset said earlier on Friday at a press conference following his visit to Tbilisi that the Council, together with Georgian authorities, will establish a working group to define the amendments to be made to the law on Transparency of Foreign Influence.

The Georgian legislature passed a bill On Transparency of Foreign Influence, also known as the foreign agent bill, in the third reading on May 14. It had drawn a wave of harsh statements from the European Union and the United States. President Salome Zourabichvili vetoed the law on May 18, but parliament overrode her veto on May 28. The law sparked protests within the country and harsh reactions from the West. EU leaders have repeatedly called for its abolition. However, Georgia’s government insists that the law is necessary for financial transparency, arguing that foreign funding often serves to promote foreign interests.

The law applies to non-governmental organizations and media outlets that receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad. These entities are required to submit a declaration of income and expenditures to the Justice Ministry each January. Failure to comply results in a fine of 25,000 GEL (over $8,900). If the declaration is not submitted after the initial fine, an additional charge of 20,000 GEL (over $7,100) is applied for each month of delay.

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