EU official warns transparency bill risks Georgia’s integration

Peter Stano, spokesperson for the European External Action Service, on Monday reiterated concerns that Georgia’s adoption of the Transparency of Foreign Influence law, resubmitted by the ruling Georgian Dream party in March, could strain its ties with the European Union.

Responding to a journalist’s inquiry about EU actions regarding the ongoing protests against the bill branded as a “Russian law” by critics, Stano affirmed support for the Georgian people.

He underscored that the EU’s decision to grant candidate status to Georgia last year reflected the nation’s strong alignment with European values and aspirations for closer integration with the EU. However, Stano cautioned that the adoption of the contentious law signaled a potential divergence from this shared trajectory.

Stano emphasized statements from EU High Representative Josep Borrell, EU Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi, and EU member states, all expressing apprehension that the law could undermine Georgia’s progress towards EU integration.

Discussions on this matter took place during a recent Council of Foreign Affairs meeting in Luxembourg, where concerns were voiced over the law’s implications for Georgia’s European aspirations.Stano disclosed ongoing dialogue between Brussels and Georgian officials to elucidate the adverse effects of the law, particularly on non-governmental organizations, media, civil society, and Georgia’s EU accession prospects.

He noted that the European Commission was preparing an enlargement report for autumn publication, which would encompass assessments of Georgia’s adherence to EU standards and commitments. Stano warned that lack of progress or setbacks on key issues could impede overall EU-Georgia relations.

On April 25, the European Parliament passed a non-binding resolution stipulating that EU accession negotiations with Georgia should not proceed until the bill was enacted.

Subsequently, on April 29, the Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee endorsed the bill in its second reading. The timeline for further deliberations, including plenary discussions, remains uncertain pending a decision by the Parliament’s Bureau on inclusion in the agenda for the April 30 session.