News

On 29 May, Lithuania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Georgian Ambassador after the Georgian Parliament voted to override President Salome Zurabishvili’s veto of the so-called ‘foreign influence’ law.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its deep regret at the step taken by Georgia’s ruling party and other actions aimed at intimidating and restricting civil society activities in the country. These actions are fundamentally contrary to the aspirations of EU and NATO integration enshrined in the country’s constitution.

The EU granted Georgia candidate status for union membership in December 2023, provided it adhered to nine European Commission’s recommendations. When Georgia’s Parliament began debating the “foreign influence” bill, the EU unequivocally warned that the Russia-style law was not in line with fundamental EU standards and values and was a decline in implementing necessary reforms outlined in at least three of the nine European Commission’s recommendations. Several other legislative initiatives that are incompatible with EU integration have recently been launched in the country, anti-Western propaganda has been spread, and mass protests were met with the government’s campaign of intimidation against civil society and violence against its representatives.

Lithuania is deeply concerned about these developments and, with partners, is discussing possible countermeasures in Georgia.

Underlining the need to ensure free and fair elections that reflect the will of Georgian society, Lithuania continues to consistently support Georgian society’s aspirations to link the country’s future with the EU and NATO.