The President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA), Joëlle Garriaud-Maylam (France), issued the following statement on the adoption, in first reading, of a “foreign agents” law:
“The adoption, in first reading, of a “foreign agents” law by the Georgian parliament is extremely disconcerting. The law would severely damage freedom of speech and association and undermine Georgia’s vibrant civil society and media landscape.
Just two weeks ago, I made my very strong reservations about this draft law and other issues of concern known to the Georgian NATO PA delegation when we met for a meeting of the Georgia-NATO Interparliamentary Council (GNIC) on 22 February 2023 in Brussels.
I have also followed yesterday’s protests in Tbilisi with concern. The Georgian authorities must uphold the people’s fundamental right to peacefully assemble and make their views known.
At our last Annual Session in Madrid, we once again reiterated our steadfast support to Georgia, its national sovereignty, territorial integrity and Euro-Atlantic integration path.
Shared democratic values - the principles of democracy, individual liberty and the rule of law – are the foundation of the Alliance. If the government and parliament want to demonstrate Georgia’s readiness to join NATO in the future, a goal shared by a vast majority of Georgians, they must not stray from the path of democratic reform and democratic consolidation. As ever, the Assembly stands ready to support Georgia on this path.”
