The Prime Minister of Georgia lauded the adoption of the Bill on Transparency, citing it as a crucial step towards ensuring long-term peace and stability in the country while addressing polarisation.

“Today is the most important day in terms of strengthening the independence and sovereignty of our country. The adoption of the law on transparency of foreign influence creates strong guarantees to ensure long-term peace and tranquillity in Georgia and to overcome the so-called polarisation, which is a necessary condition for Georgia’s integration into the European Union.

The sociological research showed that over 80% of the Georgian citizens supported the transparency of non-governmental organisations, and over 60% - directly supported the law on the transparency of foreign influence.

Georgia is a free, independent, sovereign state. In the future, we will act with the highest responsibility towards our state and citizens and will do everything to protect the national interests of Georgia. Joining the European Union is possible and worthwhile only with dignity and sovereignty, which is well understood by the majority of Georgian citizens.

It is impossible for anyone to be against transparency who has read this law and understands that transparency is one of the key European values

The Government will discuss the assessments of the Venice Commission, if the body submits its opinion on the law by May 28, Kobakhidze noted and emphasised the ruling team had already said that it would use the veto procedure to implement the changes in the legislative piece. The main thing is to receive specific legal comments regarding the law…

I once again call on the protesters to refrain from violence and illegal actions, and I urge the law enforcement officers to respond to violence and insults with maximum patience”, - said Irakli Kobakhidze.

He also highlighted that the support of the Georgian people “gave us [the ruling team] the opportunity” to avoid two revolution attempts in the past years, to maintain peace in the country and to receive the EU membership candidate status, adding he believed Georgia would become a full member of the bloc by 2030.