EU threatens to halt Georgia’s bid if “foreign agents” law passed

The EU will freeze Georgia’s membership bid if it enacts its controversial “foreign agents” law, as reported by the Financial Times on May 15. The bill requires organizations receiving foreign funding to be labeled as “foreign agents,” similar to Russian legislation targeting Kremlin critics. Georgia’s parliament passed the bill on May 14, sparking widespread protests and criticism from the EU and the U.S.

The U.S. warned of reassessing its relationship with Georgia, while the European Parliament condemned the law, stating EU accession negotiations should not proceed with it in place. The legislation has led to violent crackdowns on protesters, causing uproar both domestically and internationally.

Despite the uproar, the fight for democratic values continues in Georgia as activists push back against the restrictive law and police brutality. It’s a crucial moment for the country’s future and its alignment with European values.