Hungary, Slovakia block EU's response to Georgian foreign agent bill

TBILISI. May 16 (Interfax) - The leaders of Slovakia and Hungary have blocked an EU statement on the adoption of the bill On the Transparency of Foreign Influence in Georgia, Tamar Cugulashvili, assistant to the European Greens in the European Parliament, said.

"Yes, rather reliable sources have confirmed that a written statement by the Council of the European Union was blocked by the leaders of these countries," Cugulashvili said on Georgian television.

Therefore, the statement was made on behalf of the European Commission on Wednesday, she said.

The Georgian parliament passed the bill on transparency of foreign influence in the third and final reading on May 14. The bill, since the Georgian Dream ruling party introduced it to parliament in April, evoked negative reaction of opposition forces. Opposition believes that it is aimed at "stigmatizing" non-governmental organizations and media outlets outside of governmental control.