Is Georgia burning bridges with the EU? 'No one can... our national interests'

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated at a briefing that the 'Transparency of Foreign Influence' bill will be adopted in its final reading, but that President Salome Zourabichvili, who acts on the orders of foreign actors, has the chance to change things.

"PARLIAMENT WILL ADOPT IT IN THE THIRD READING"

Kobakhidze said, "The Georgian parliament will act according to the rational will of the majority of the people and will adopt the law in the third reading, which will make a very important contribution to ending the so-called polarization imposed from the outside."

In his statement, Kobakhidze underlined that a sociological study conducted in April showed that more than 80 percent of the population supports the transparency of funding for non-governmental organizations, and more than 60 percent support the initiated bill.

In his statement, Kobakhidze emphasized the sentence, "No one will be able to prevent Georgia from defending its national interests from the outside."

"I CALL ON EVERYONE TO AVOID VIOLENCE"

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze called on protesters opposing the 'Transparency of Foreign Influence' bill to refrain from violating the law, and on law enforcement officers to respond to any acts of violence by protesters with maximum restraint.

In his statement, Kobakhidze said, "I would like to once again call on everyone to avoid violence and illegal actions. I would like to thank the law enforcement officers who respond to the violence and illegal actions of the protesters with a standard higher than American and European standards."

Georgian Prime Minister Kobakhidze said, "If there is a crime, there will certainly be an appropriate response."

REACTION FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION

The European Union (EU), meanwhile, warned Georgia over the 'Transparency of Foreign Influence' law, which is being boycotted by the opposition.

Stating that they are following the development with concern, EU officials said, "The final adoption of this law will negatively affect Georgia's progress on the EU path. This law is not compatible with the EU's core norms and values."