WASHINGTON: The United States was imposing new visa restrictions and reviewing relations with Georgia, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday, after it pushed forward a Russian-style “foreign influence” law that triggered mass protests.
According to Blinken, the fresh visa directive will be applicable to people who have undermined democracy in Georgia or had a hand in that, as well as their relatives.
He also informed Washington’s intention of initiating a “full review of bilateral cooperation between the United States and Georgia”.
The Georgian legislation obliges NGOs and media operating on more than 20% foreign funding to register as bodies “advocating for a foreign country.”
Georgian lawmakers passed the law last week despite major protests, with critics saying the move would silence opposition groups and shift the former Soviet republic away from a pro-Western course back toward Russia.
The ruling Georgian Dream party insists it is committed to joining the EU and was acting to increase transparency on NGO funding.
In her bid to protect freedom of association, President Salome Zurabishvili vetoed the legislation but has been outnumbered by those who oppose her decision.
This means that anyone found guilty of undermining democratic processes or institutions either before during or after goeorgia’s October 2024 elections may be disqualified from obtaining US visas and banned from entering USA along with his/her family members.
Critics say the Georgia measure mirrors Russian legislation used to stifle dissent, while Brussels warns it is “incompatible” with Tbilisi’s long-standing bid for European Union membership.
Blinken urged that Georgia’s leaders reconsider this legislative initiative and continue working towards democracy in order to join Euro-Atlantic community through proper channels into which they should direct their efforts instead of making anti-western bills just like this one.
“We shall revisit our relations once we evaluate what actions our partners have taken,” he added.
