The Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia signed the Law on Foreign Agents

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili signed the Russian equivalent of the Foreign Agents Law, the Foreign Influence Transparency Bill, after Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, as expected, refused to sign the document, SOVA reported today. I signed the Foreign Influence Transparency Act. The main goal of the law is to strengthen the stability of Georgia's political, economic and social systems against foreign interference. As for the protocols. today I signed it, it will be published in the "Legislative Directory", from tomorrow it will be considered published, and within 60 days from tomorrow, the Ministry of Justice will develop all sub-legislative normative acts, as well as create an electronic portal for organizations. After 60 days, all organizations that have significant foreign funding must register on that portal. The law will enter into force from tomorrow (June 4, 2024 - ed.), but they are obliged to register after 60 days, starting from tomorrow, that is, approximately September 4-5," Papuashvili said in a briefing. On May 18 the head of state vetoed the bill, which was accepted by 84 deputies in the third reading, a veto that they also overcame in 2024. on May 28. In the West, the move of the parliamentarians caused a wave of criticism. German Ambassador Peter Fischer even announced that as long as this law is in force in Georgia, negotiations on joining the EU will not begin. on the night of May 24, information appeared that Washington will review all spheres of cooperation with Georgia. The statement also stated about introducing visa restrictions for former and current politicians (as well as their family members) who participated in the adoption of the law. Sanctions will also be directed against the security forces that participated in the dispersal of peaceful demonstrations in Tbilisi. And Jim O'Brien, the coordinator of the US sanctions policy, said that the ruling force of Georgia "will be forced to play by the rules of the club it is trying to enter." Political Council of "Georgian Dream" responded to the US State Department's decision on visa restrictions; in the ruling party, Washington's intentions were called "counterproductive" and "unprecedented". In this background, words of support are heard in Moscow regarding the "consistent position" of the current Georgian authorities, the "double standards" of the West towards the country are emphasized.