EU condemns Georgia's foreign agents law as threat to democracy
Source: Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos in a joint statement, as reported by European Pravda
Details: Kallas and Kos noted that Georgia's Foreign Agents Registration Act is another manifestation of democratic rollback in Georgia, in addition to the recent law on broadcasting and grant restrictions.
"These repressive measures threaten the very survival of Georgia's democratic foundations and the future of its citizens in a free and open society", they said. "In its June and October 2024 conclusions, the European Council found that such course of action jeopardised Georgia's EU path. The accession process has been de facto halted."
On behalf of the EU, Kallas and Kos urged the Georgian authorities to respect the aspirations of Georgian citizens for a democratic European future and also called for the release of unjustly detained journalists, activists and opposition leaders.
"The EU is ready to consider the return of Georgia to the EU accession path if the authorities take credible steps to reverse democratic backsliding. The responsibility lies solely with the Georgian authorities," the officials concluded.
Background:
On 31 May, Georgia's "foreign agents" law went into effect, which the authorities describe as an analogue to the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).
In addition, this week, another opposition leader was detained in Georgia for refusing to testify before the parliamentary commission investigating crimes supposedly committed by Mikheil Saakashvili, former president of Georgia.
Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
32 minutes ago
- Yahoo
EU chief von der Leyen heads to Scotland for trade talks with Trump
By Andrew Gray and Andrea Shalal BRUSSELS/EDINBURGH (Reuters) -EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen headed to Scotland on Saturday ahead of a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday afternoon, commission spokespeople said, as EU officials said the two sides were nearing a trade agreement. Trump, in Scotland for a few days of golfing and bilateral meetings, told reporters upon his arrival on Friday evening that he was looking forward to meeting with von der Leyen, calling her a "highly respected" leader. He repeated his view that there was a 50-50 chance that the U.S. and the 27-member European Union could reach a framework trade pact, adding that Brussels wanted to "make a deal very badly". If it happened, he said it would be the biggest trade agreement reached yet by his administration, surpassing the $550 billion accord agreed with Japan earlier this week. The White House has released no details about the planned meeting or the terms of the emerging agreement. The European Commission on Thursday said a negotiated trade solution with the United States was within reach, even as EU members voted to approve counter-tariffs on 93 billion euros ($109 billion) of U.S. goods in case the talks collapse. To get a deal, Trump said the EU would have to "buy down" that tariff rate, although he gave no specifics. EU diplomats say a possible deal between Washington and Brussels would likely include a broad 15% tariff on EU goods imported into the U.S., mirroring the U.S.-Japan deal, along with a 50% tariff on European steel and aluminum. The broad tariff rate would be half the 30% duties that Trump has threatened to slap on EU goods from August 1. It remains unclear if Washington will agree to exempt the EU from sectoral tariffs on automobiles, pharmaceuticals and other goods that have already been announced or are pending. Combining goods, services and investment, the EU and the United States are each other's largest trading partners by far. The American Chamber of Commerce in Brussels warned in March that any conflict jeopardized $9.5 trillion of business in the world's most important commercial relationship. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
EU chief von der Leyen heads to Scotland for trade talks with Trump
By Andrew Gray and Andrea Shalal BRUSSELS/EDINBURGH (Reuters) -EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen headed to Scotland on Saturday ahead of a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday afternoon, commission spokespeople said, as EU officials said the two sides were nearing a trade agreement. Trump, in Scotland for a few days of golfing and bilateral meetings, told reporters upon his arrival on Friday evening that he was looking forward to meeting with von der Leyen, calling her a "highly respected" leader. He repeated his view that there was a 50-50 chance that the U.S. and the 27-member European Union could reach a framework trade pact, adding that Brussels wanted to "make a deal very badly". If it happened, he said it would be the biggest trade agreement reached yet by his administration, surpassing the $550 billion accord agreed with Japan earlier this week. The White House has released no details about the planned meeting or the terms of the emerging agreement. The European Commission on Thursday said a negotiated trade solution with the United States was within reach, even as EU members voted to approve counter-tariffs on 93 billion euros ($109 billion) of U.S. goods in case the talks collapse. To get a deal, Trump said the EU would have to "buy down" that tariff rate, although he gave no specifics. EU diplomats say a possible deal between Washington and Brussels would likely include a broad 15% tariff on EU goods imported into the U.S., mirroring the U.S.-Japan deal, along with a 50% tariff on European steel and aluminum. The broad tariff rate would be half the 30% duties that Trump has threatened to slap on EU goods from August 1. It remains unclear if Washington will agree to exempt the EU from sectoral tariffs on automobiles, pharmaceuticals and other goods that have already been announced or are pending. Combining goods, services and investment, the EU and the United States are each other's largest trading partners by far. The American Chamber of Commerce in Brussels warned in March that any conflict jeopardized $9.5 trillion of business in the world's most important commercial relationship. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data


Newsweek
3 hours ago
- Newsweek
Anti-Trump Protests Hit Scotland Amid Military Lockdown
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A number of anti-Trump protests took place in Scotland on Saturday as the president began a five-day visit centered around visits to his golf courses near Turnberry, in West Ayrshire, and in Aberdeenshire. Meetings with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are also planned. Why It Matters President Trump was met with large demonstrations during visits to the U.K. in his first term. He is due to visit Britain again later this year for a state visit during which he will meet King Charles III. What To Know Trump landed at Glasgow's Prestwick airport just before 8:30 p.m. BST on Friday where he was greeted by Ian Murray, Scottish secretary in the British government, and U.S. ambassador to the U.K. Warren Stephens. He made his way to the Trump Turnberry golf course, the BBC reporting he traveled in a motorcade of more than two dozen vehicles, with police closing off a number of roads and British military personnel carrying out a security sweep around the course. On Saturday anti-Trump demonstrations took place in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dumfries with photographs shared on X showing protesters holding signs bearing slogans including "Stop Trump, Free Gaza" and "Pipe Down Donald." According to Scottish newspaper The National the demonstrations in Aberdeen and Edinburgh each involved hundreds of people, with Green Party Members of the Scottish Parliament present at the former. Hundreds of protesters gather outside the office of the Consulate General of the United States against a visit to Scotland by the President of the United States, Donald Trump on July 26, 2025 in Edinburgh,... Hundreds of protesters gather outside the office of the Consulate General of the United States against a visit to Scotland by the President of the United States, Donald Trump on July 26, 2025 in Edinburgh, Scotland. More Ian Forsyth/GETTY The publication reacted to Trump's upcoming arrival in Scotland on Friday with the front page headline "Convicted US Felon to Arrive in Scotland." However Trump did receive a positive reception from some, with video shared on social media showing people waving to his motorcade, while two people held up a banner reading "Trump The Legend." Saturday also saw a demonstration in Glasgow, Scotland's most populous city, by the right-wing UK Independence Party, calling for "deportations now" with marchers waving Union Jacks and Scottish Saltires. Immediately after Trump arrived in the UK on Friday he sparked controversy by claiming Europe was facing a "horrible invasion" adding: "You better get your act together or you're not going to have Europe anymore." What People Are Saying Earlier Herald Scotland reporter Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco shared images from Aberdeen on X adding: "Here in Aberdeen, ahead of large anti-Trump protests this afternoon. The city centre is full of police officers." GB News reporter Ben Leo shared a photograph from the Edinburgh demonstration adding: "A few Palestine flags, Extinction Rebellion flags and 'migrants welcome' signs at the Edinburgh Trump protest. It's like an excuse just to protest *something* - if not particularly anything." What Happens Next Trump's Scotland visit is due to head to Aberdeenshire where he is open a new course at his golf club dedicated to his Scottish mother who was born on the Isle of Lewis. He is also due to hold meeting with Starmer and von der Leyen before returning to the U.S. on Tuesday.