The European Union expressed a sharp criticism against the new Law of Georgia "On Foreign Agents", which came into force on May 31, 2025. In a joint statement by the EU High Representative, Kai Callas and the European Commissioner on Martha Kos, the law called "a serious step back for the country's democracy."
The law provides for mandatory registration of organizations and citizens receiving financing from abroad as foreign agents. The EU believes that this decision, along with recent speech and grants laws, aims to restrict freedom of speech, suppress dissent and narrow space for civil society, activists and independent media.
"These repressive measures are jeopardizing the basis of democracy in Georgia and the future of its citizens in a free and open society," the statement said. The European Union reminded that in 2024, in its conclusions, the European Council already noted the threat of retreat from a democratic course, which casts doubt on Georgia's prospects for EU accession.
"The entry process is actually stopped," Callas and Kos noted, urging the Georgian authorities to listen to the requirements of citizens to preserve democracy and the European future of the country. They also demanded to release all unfairly detained journalists, activists, protesters and political leaders.
The statement emphasizes that the EU is ready to restore Georgia's support in the process of European integration if the country's authorities take convincing steps to stop the retreat from democratic standards. According to European politicians, the responsibility for this lies exclusively on Georgian authorities.
