Georgian ambassador calls for repeal of controversial law after resignation

Georgia’s ambassador to France, who just resigned over his country’s controversial “foreign influence” bill, is calling for the text to be “retracted” and hopes his decision will “give pause to those who support its passage.” in an interview this Friday with Le Monde newspaper.

Gocha Javakhishvili announced on Thursday that he would resign due to “tensions” over the bill, which he said was complicating the country’s relations with foreign partners.

Video. Georgia: fight in parliament over a law that the opposition considers “pro-Russian”

This text, an initiative of the ruling party, has angered part of the population, which considers it contrary to the European aspirations of this Caucasian country. It also faces criticism from the West and is inspired by a law the Kremlin has used for years to suppress dissident voices in Russia.

Fear of rapprochement with Russia

“Today our European friends criticize us, and Moscow praises us. This is unbearable for me. My country has suffered so much from Russia,” Mr. Javakhishvili says in a French daily, warning: “Europe should not leave Georgia because it could become another Ukraine.”

The bill was introduced last year but then abandoned after widespread protests, but the Georgian government has decided to reintroduce a slightly modified version. He plans to require any media outlet or NGO that receives more than 20% of its funding from abroad to register as a “foreign power organization.”

“I am proud of the dynamism of Georgian civil society. Calling him a “foreign agent” is an oversimplification because he plays a vital role for democracy,” says Mr. Javakhishvili. He clarifies that his resignation is “a matter of principle and honor.”

“After the return of the bill, I found myself in a very uncomfortable situation, especially in front of my interlocutors at the Elysee Palace and the Quai d’Orsay, to whom I promised that it was abandoned and that “we will never go back.” “, explains the Georgian diplomat.

“It would be difficult for me to find arguments to explain to them why he returned today. This situation no longer allowed me to carry the European message of my country,” he judges.

The Georgian government “continues to say that it wants Georgia to join the EU, but how will this be possible with such a law, despite warnings from our partners? “, he is asking.