Washington: The United States announced new visa restrictions on Georgia and initiated a review of bilateral cooperation following the passage of a controversial “foreign agent” bill by the Georgian parliament this month. Secretary of State Antony Blinken revealed these actions in a statement on Thursday, highlighting concerns that the law would “stifle the exercise of freedoms of association and expression” and hinder the operations of independent media organizations.
The bill has ignited significant protests in Georgia, with opponents condemning it as authoritarian and influenced by Russia. The ruling Georgian party, however, argues that the legislation is necessary to ensure transparency in the foreign funding of NGOs and to protect the country’s sovereignty.
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The new visa restriction policy targets individuals whom Blinken identified as being “responsible for or complicit in undermining democracy in Georgia,” as well as their family members. “As we review the relationship between our two countries, we will take into account Georgia’s actions in deciding our own,” Blinken emphasized.
Earlier on Thursday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Washington of blackmailing Georgia over its legislative decisions.
