Catherine Murphy
Question:141. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the current situation in Georgia was discussed at the most recent EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting. [22899/24]
View answerTuesday, 21 May 2024
Questions (141)
Written answers
The current situation in Georgia is of grave concern. The adoption of legislation on the “transparency of foreign influence” by the Georgian parliament, in the face of strong international criticism, and the disproportionate use of force against those protesting the legislation, are not in line with core EU values and norms.
Events in Georgia were discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 22 April, and along with my EU partners I will continue to engage on the situation in the country.
Ireland has echoed the concerns expressed by HRVP Borrell and President von der Leyen with regard to the impact that the transparency of foreign influence law will have on Georgian civil society and Georgia’s path to EU membership. We have repeatedly urged the Georgian government to withdraw this legislation. It is incompatible with core EU values, and contradicts the will of the Georgian people, who have courageously shown their commitment to Georgia’s future in the EU, and who have peacefully protested against the law since its reintroduction in Parliament.
Ireland, along with our EU partners, has made clear that this law will negatively impact Georgia’s ability to progress towards EU membership. We have, along with eleven other European Union Member States, called on the European Commission to provide an update on how the law will impact on Georgia’s candidate status.
Along with the HRVP, President von der Leyen, and our EU partners, we have also condemned the Georgian authorities’ response to protestors, which has infringed upon the right to freedom of assembly and expression. The reports of targeted attacks on opposition politicians and media officials are unacceptable, and directly threaten the ability of the Georgian people to freely assemble and peacefully protest. The best way to secure Georgia’s progress towards EU membership is by demonstrating a genuine commitment to European values and to upholding the human rights of all citizens.
I note the regrettable decision by the Georgian parliament to adopt the proposed law in its third reading on 14 May. I will continue to engage on the current situation in Georgia and urge the government to withdraw this law. I expect that the issue will remain high on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council.