We have been very clear... this is a showstopper,
What is happening now goes beyond targeting civil society organisations; it is an attack on the western values,
The terminology itself carries a stigma, unfairly tarnishing the reputation of affected organisations by insinuating that they are either ‘traitors’ or agents serving foreign interests,
So why does it come back at a time when there is no need for it? No specific request from anyone. Suddenly, it's thrown in the middle of the public attention, together with the rhetoric,
What I think is important is that the country continues on its path towards Europe,
It's not only requiring them to declare resources, which is done, it is requiring them to declare themselves as agents, as representatives of a foreign influence. And that is discrediting them in the eyes of the public opinion, if that were to happen,
I don't know, you will have to ask them. Because last year, they introduced this law. It was protested also by a very large part of the population for the same reason. And they took this law away. And they promised the population, and our partners, that it was definitive — that this law would not be introduced any longer,
They are not lobbies. They are members of this country, they are representing this country. The civil society in this country has been very vivid, very active, very influential, and very essential to the transition of this country towards democracy,
The adoption of this law negatively impacts Georgia's progress on the EU path,
The EU has clearly and repeatedly stated that the spirit and content of the law are not in line with EU core norms and values,
I will not betray the spirit that is in this country today and needs to open a path. I will be the opener of this path. This message will be delivered by our friends everywhere so that no one thinks that you can use the President of Georgia to save the image of this government,
We urge Georgia to change course and respect the right to peaceful protest,
We talked about what the next steps are. I very clearly explained to the representatives of friendly countries that with my veto, I would under no circumstances enter into some fake, artificial, deceitful negotiations. No and never
Today, not this issue is on the agenda, Georgia’s survival is on the agenda,
The choice on the way forward is in Georgia’s hands. We urge the Georgian authorities to withdraw the law,
The Georgian government’s decision to pass legislation on so-called ‘foreign agents’ is a step in the wrong direction,
For Georgia, this means ‘Welcome to the Russian world,’ which cuts off all prospects for Georgia’s development,
We see an unveiled intervention in the internal affairs of Georgia from the outside,
Today, we are travelling to Georgia with the Icelandic, Estonian and Latvian (foreign) ministers to express our concerns to politicians and meet with civil society,