Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday summoned Georgia’s ambassador to express its concern about the situation in Georgia.
Earlier this month, the Georgian parliament passed a controversial “foreign influence” law despite mass protests and calls from foreign countries to repeal it. The law was vetoed by the country’s President Salome Zourabichvili, but the parliament overrode her veto on Tuesday.
Critics condemn the law, saying it is similar to the one in force in Russia, aimed at silencing Moscow’s opponents. The EU has warned that the law is incompatible with Georgia’s long-standing bid to join the block, which is enshrined in the country’s constitution and is supported by more than 80 percent of Georgians, according to opinion polls.
“Deep concern was expressed to the ambassador over the decision by Georgia’s ruling party, as well as other actions aimed at intimidating and restricting the activities of civil society in the country, which are fundamentally at odds with the country’s constitutionally enshrined aspirations for EU-NATO integration,” the Foreign Ministry’s statement reads.
The law stipulates that all independent NGOs and media organisations that receive more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad must register as acting in the “interests of a foreign state”.
“Lithuania is deeply concerned about these developments in Georgia and is working with its partners to consider possible responses,” the ministry said.
“Stressing the need to ensure free and fair elections, reflecting the will of the Georgian public, Lithuania continues to consistently support the aspirations of the Georgian society to link the country’s future with the EU and NATO,” it added.
Last week, the US imposed new visa restrictions on people involved in the passage of the controversial law in response to the situation.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said on Tuesday that Tbilisi was turning away from Europe with this action, while Foreign Minister Gabriel Landsbergis said that the law would “essentially stop” Georgia from joining the European Union.
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