It is a clear signal that Germany and France are sending to the government of Georgia: the controversial media law is hindering the European future of the Caucasus republic, said Scholz and Macron in a joint statement.
Germany and France have expressed “deep concern” about the situation in Georgia. A statement said both countries noted with deep regret the decision of the Georgian government and ruling party to deviate from the European path. The background is the adoption of a controversial law to restrict foreign influence on civil society in Georgia.
Law “against common European values”
Georgia has had candidate status in the EU since the end of last year. According to surveys, more than 80 percent of Georgians are in favor of their country joining the EU and NATO.
The Franco-German statement said: “Our two countries have always supported Georgia’s European path and actively supported the decision of the European Council of December 2023 to grant candidate status.” With regard to the controversial law, it is stated that the Georgian government and ruling party acted against common European values and aspirations of the Georgian population. “Georgia’s European path is mapped out – but Georgia decides at what speed and direction it moves forward,” said the statement.
President vetoes
Georgia’s President Salome Zurabishvili yesterday vetoed the law passed by parliament. The president, who is considered pro-European, described the law as “Russian in essence and spirit.” However, your veto can be overruled by Parliament.
Weeks of mass protests against the law
The law on restricting foreign influence on civil society in Georgia was passed in third reading by the parliament in Tbilisi at the beginning of the week, despite weeks of massive protests by tens of thousands of people in Tbilisi.
According to this, organizations and media that are at least 20 percent financed from abroad must in future register in the former Soviet republic as bodies that “pursue the interests of foreign powers”. Critics see parallels to the law against “foreign agents” in Russia, which enables the authorities there to take massive action against critical media and organizations.