Europe live: Georgia’s parliament votes to override presidential veto of controversial ‘foreign agents’ law | World news

• Georgia’s parliament has overridden the president’s veto of the controversial “foreign agents” law.

• The law, which has been heavily criticized at home and abroad, would require organizations receiving more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad to register as agents of foreign influence.

• Critics have called the legislation “the Russian law” and say it will undermine independent civil society and move Georgia farther west.

• Protesters gathered outside the Parliament of Georgia.

• In a statement, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrellalong with the European Commission, said that “the EU and its member states are considering all options for responding to these developments.”

• The statement also noted that “we continue to stand by the Georgian people and recognize the choice of the vast majority of them for a European future for their country.”

• Tina Bokuchavaparliamentary leader of the opposition party United National Movement (UNM), said that “before the elections in October, it is extremely important that opposition leaders unite to repeal this Kremlin-inspired law and put Georgia back on the European path.”

• Michael Rothchairman of the foreign affairs committee of the German Bundestag, said it was a “sad day for Georgia and Europe” and urged Georgians not to surrender.

• Lars Löcke RasmussenThe Danish foreign minister said that “unless the ruling party changes its course of action, Georgia will not progress on the path to EU membership.”

• Gabrielius Landsbergis, the Lithuanian foreign minister, said that “the adoption of this law effectively delays Georgia’s accession to the EU, with no benefit to anyone. Almost everybody.”

• Baiba Braze, Latvia’s foreign minister, said that “last year the EU gave Georgia a chance by giving it candidate status. It was a historic moment for Georgia and clearly supported by its people. Sad day.”

• Margus Tsakhnathe foreign minister of Estonia, said that “we are appalled by the choice of the Georgian parliament not to use the historic opportunity to continue with European integration and to leave its people on the enlargement waiting list for the indefinite future”.

Baiba BrazeMinister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, said he deeply regretted the decision of the Georgian parliament.

“Last year, the EU gave Georgia a chance by granting it candidate status. It was a historic moment for Georgia and clearly supported by its people. Sad day,” she said.

Josep Borrellthe EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs issued a statement together with the European Commission.

The European Union deeply regrets that the Georgian Parliament decided to override the President’s veto of the Foreign Influence Transparency Law and ignore the Venice Commission’s detailed legal arguments leading to a clear recommendation to repeal this law.

The EU has repeatedly emphasized that the law adopted by the Georgian parliament contradicts the basic principles and values ​​of the EU. Its adoption entails a retreat on at least three of the nine steps (on disinformation; on polarisation; on fundamental rights and the participation of civil society organisations) set out in the Commission’s recommendation on candidate status endorsed by EU leaders, and will negatively affected Georgia’s EU path.

Apart from the Foreign Influence Transparency Act, not enough political attention has yet been mobilized to make substantial progress on the nine steps.

We call on the Georgian authorities to reverse this trend and firmly return to the EU path. There is still time to change the dynamic – but a strong commitment from governing bodies is needed.

The EU and its Member States are considering all options for responding to these developments.

We continue to stand by the Georgian people and recognize the choice of the vast majority of them for a European future for their country.

Tina Bokuchavaparliamentary leader of the opposition United National Movement (UND) party, said that “by overriding the presidential veto and passing this law, Ivanishvili’s government is trying to deprive the Georgian people of their European future.”

“Georgia’s European aspirations can only be safeguarded through regime change,” Bokuchava said, adding: “Ahead of October’s elections, it is important that opposition leaders unite to repeal this Kremlin-inspired law and bring Georgia back to the European road.”

Margus Tsakhnathe foreign minister of Estonia, said that “we are appalled by the choice of the Georgian parliament not to use the historic opportunity to continue with European integration and to leave its people on the enlargement waiting list for the indefinite future”.

Gabrielius Landsbergisthe foreign minister of Lithuania, also spoke about today’s vote.

“A very sad day for Georgia and the rest of Europe. Adoption of this law effectively delays Georgia’s accession to the EU, with no benefit to anyone. Almost everyone,” he said.

Michael Roththe chairman of the foreign affairs committee of the German Bundestag, said it was a “sad day for Georgia and Europe.”

“I support all Georgians who are peacefully fighting for freedom, democracy and dignity. Remember, ‘when they go low, we go high.’ don’t give up Elections are coming soon,” he said.