Antony Blinken
The United States is imposing additional visa restrictions and reconsidering relations with Georgia, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Thursday, following the passage of a Russian-style foreign influence bill that sparked widespread protests.
“The new visa policy will apply to individuals who are responsible for or complicit in undermining democracy in Georgia, as well as their family members”, Blinken stated.
He further explained that Washington was conducting a comprehensive review of bilateral cooperation between the United States and Georgia.
The Georgian bill mandates NGOs and media outlets that receive over 20 percent of their financing from overseas to register as entities pursuing the interests of a foreign power.
Georgian lawmakers passed the bill last week amid widespread protests, with critics claiming it will muzzle opposition groups and turn the former Soviet country away from a pro-Western trajectory and back towards Russia.
The ruling Georgian Dream party says it is dedicated to entering the EU and is working to improve openness in NGO funding.
President Salome Zurabishvili vetoed the measure on Saturday, but MPs have the votes to overturn her decision.
Blinken stated that anyone who undermines democratic processes or institutions in Georgia, including in the lead-up to, during, and following Georgia’s October 2024 elections, may be found ineligible for US visas and barred from US travel, including immediate family members.
Critics claim Georgia’s bill resembles Russian law used to suppress opposition, while Brussels says it is incompatible with Tbilisi’s long-standing pursuit for EU membership.
Blinken went on to say, “The United States remained hopeful that Georgia’s leaders will reconsider the draft law and take steps to move forward with their nation’s democratic and Euro-Atlantic aspirations”.
“As we review the relationship between our two countries, we will take into account Georgia’s actions in deciding our own”, Blinken added.
Georgia’s ruling party has been widely accused of diverting the country away from its EU membership path and back into Russian orbit.
However, the party argues that it is committed to EU and NATO membership, which is enshrined in the country’s constitution and backed by over 80 percent of the population.
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