EU condemns Georgia's new media, foreign agent laws As threat to democracy

The European Union has expressed strong concerns over recently passed legislation in Georgia, warning that the laws on foreign agents and media standards could hinder the country's path to EU integration.

In a joint statement released by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, and EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, the EU described the measures as a significant blow to democratic principles in Georgia, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

"These steps further undermine the foundations of democracy in Georgia. Such actions are fundamentally incompatible with the values of the European Union, including democracy, the rule of law, and media pluralism, and are far removed from the expectations we have for a candidate country," the statement read.

"These measures will have a detrimental impact on Georgia's EU accession process."

The new laws, which require media outlets to register as foreign agents and impose stricter regulations on their activities, have drawn widespread criticism both domestically and internationally.

The EU's statement underscores the potential negative consequences these developments may have on Georgia’s ambitions to join the bloc.

Meanwhile, Georgia's lawmakers have approved new media restrictions and a “foreign agents” bill, drawing criticism from activists who warn it could endanger the country’s independent civil society.

The legislation, which follows months of protests from pro-democracy groups, mandates that media and civil society organizations receiving foreign funding must register as “foreign agents,” with penalties including up to five years in prison for non-compliance.

Amendments to broadcasting laws also restrict foreign funding and give greater powers to the government-controlled press regulator to sanction media. The opposition boycotted the parliamentary vote.

By Aghakazim Guliyev