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Jan Lipavský, the Czech foreign minister, also condemned violence against protesters.
“The law on transparency of foreign influence is not in line with Georgia’s European aspirations. The right to peaceful assembly is a fundamental human right that Georgian authorities must respect,” he said.
I condemn all violence against the protesters in Georgia. The law on transparency of foreign influence is not in line with Georgia’s European aspirations. The right to peaceful assembly is a fundamental human right that Georgian authorities must respect.
— Jan Lipavský (@JanLipavsky) May 2, 2024
‘The ball is in Georgia’s court’: Top EU Commission official meets with Georgia’s opposition
The European Commission’s Gert Jan Koopman, head of the directorate-general for neighbourhood and enlargement negotiations, is in Georgia and met with the country’s president and opposition parties.
“The EU will spare no effort – but the ball is in Georgia‘s court!” he said.
Gitanas Nausėda, the Lithuanian president, condemned violence against protesters in Georgia.
“I strongly condemn violent attacks on pro-European protesters by Georgian authorities. Georgia’s government is pushing the country into a backslide& undermining its European perspective,” he warned.
“Georgia belongs in Europe. Georgian people chose European future& nobody has the right to take it away from them,” the Lithuanian leader added.
I strongly condemn violent attacks on pro-European protesters by Georgian authorities.🇬🇪 government is pushing the country into a backslide& undermining its 🇪🇺 perspective. #Georgia belongs in Europe.🇬🇪 people chose European future& nobody has the right to take it away from them.
— Gitanas Nausėda (@GitanasNauseda) May 2, 2024
Elina Valtonen, the Finnish foreign minister, said “worrying scenes in Georgia. Violence against peaceful protestors is not acceptable.”
She added:“Georgia was granted EU candidate status and we expect Georgia to stay on that path, which is the people’s choice. People have the right to demonstrate against the law on foreign influence.”
Worrying scenes in Georgia. Violence against peaceful protestors is not acceptable. Georgia was granted EU candidate status and we expect Georgia to stay on that path, which is the people’s choice. People have the right to demonstrate against the law on foreign influence.
— Elina Valtonen (@elinavaltonen) May 2, 2024
Georgia’s parliament yesterday approved the second reading of the controversial “foreign agents” bill, which has fuelled a political crisis and massive protests.
Reuters reported that police fired tear gas and stun grenades to clear a large crowd of protesters opposed to the draft law.
11 people, including six police officers, had received hospital treatment after Wednesday’s altercations, according to Georgia’s health ministry.
‘Their voices must be heard’: UK calls for right to protest to be respected
The British embassy in Georgia said today that “we continue to watch unfolding events very closely.”
“The people of Georgia are loud and clear in their wish to become members of Euro-Atlantic family. Their voices must be heard. Their right to peaceful protest must be respected,” it added.
We continue to watch unfolding events very closely.
The people of Georgia are loud and clear in their wish to become members of Euro-Atlantic family. Their voices must be heard. Their right to peaceful protest must be respected@MarkClaytonFCDO
— UK in Georgia (@UKinGeorgia) May 2, 2024
Georgia cancels parliament session amid massive protests
Georgia’s parliament cancelled its planned plenary session for today following large protests against a “foreign agents” bill that has raised concerns that country is moving away from democratic norms and closer to Moscow.
The parliament’s announcement said the cancellation was connected to damage the building suffered during Wednesday protests, the Associated Press reported.
Welcome to the blog
Good morning and welcome back to the Europe blog, where today we will focus on the latest in Georgia.
Send tips and comments to lili.bayer@theguardian.com.
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