Foreign-agent bill aims at depolarization, transparency - Georgian PM to European Council president

TBILISI. May 6 (Interfax) - The bill on Transparency of Foreign Influence seeks to ensure "transparency and accountability of respective organizations to Georgian society," Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze told European Council President Charles Michel by phone on Friday.

"I expressed regret that, despite a number of proposals, the partners are avoiding a substantive discussion of the bill on Transparency of Foreign Influence," Kobakhidze said on the X social network. He added that he had spoken with Michel about a bill on the Protection of Family Values and Minors.

According to Kobakhidze, the Georgian authorities have not heard a single argument against the foreign-agent bill, "the sole purpose of which is to ensure transparency and accountability of respective organizations to Georgian society."

"I drew attention of the European Council president to the fact that organizations sponsored from abroad took active part in the two attempts to make a revolution in Georgia in 2020-2023," he said.

The adoption of the transparency law is necessary to meet a key EU recommendation of ensuring the so-called depolarization, Kobakhidze said.