Speakers of the Lithuanian Seimas and Parliaments of other European Union Member States addressed the Speaker of the Georgian Parliament

Press release, 27 May 2024 

Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, Speaker of the Seimas, together with the Heads of the Parliaments of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, the Netherlands and France, addressed Shalva Papuashvili, Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia. In an open letter, they called on Georgia to withdraw the draft law on Transparency of Foreign Influence, which is incompatible with European standards and values and seeks to silence the media and civil society. Concurrently, the Speakers expressed their support for Georgia on its path towards membership of the European Union.

‘Georgia’s efforts to advance towards the membership of the European Union were acknowledged by providing the opportunity for Georgia to begin EU accession negotiations. However, laws like this one and the use of violence against peaceful protestors are entirely incompatible with Georgia’s European aspirations. We therefore call for the law to be withdrawn. Moreover, we know that the path of integration is difficult, so we collectively offer our full support and assistance to the people of Georgia, because we firmly believe in the European future of their country,’ Ms Čmilytė-Nielsen said.

Please find the text of the letter in English: HERE.

Ilona Petrovė, Spokesperson for Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, Speaker of the Seimas, tel.+ 370  5 209 6030, mob. + 370 698 42071, e-mail: [email protected], www.lrs.lt