In a joint statement led by U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, the chairs of foreign affairs committees in several European countries and the European Union have expressed deep concern over the Georgian parliament's recent passage of a controversial Russian-inspired "foreign agent" law. The law requires organizations that receive more than 20 percent of their funding from international sources to register as an "organization serving the interests of a foreign power."

The statement highlights the alarming and repressive nature of this legislation, which goes against the principles of democracy and contradicts Georgia's stated goal of integrating with the West. The parliament's decision has caused widespread concern among friends and allies who view the law as incompatible with Georgian identity, European values, and democratic principles.

The chairs of foreign affairs committees from Belgium, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, the European Union, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom joined Senator Cardin in denouncing the Russian-style law. They emphasize that the role of a parliament is to reflect the will of the people, and Georgians have clearly rejected this legislation inspired by the Kremlin and President Vladimir Putin, particularly given his illegal occupation of 20 percent of Georgia's territory.

Prominent Georgian organizations, such as Transparency International (TI Georgia), the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED), and the Georgian Young Lawyers' Association (GYLA), have been playing crucial roles in Georgia's journey towards Euro-Atlantic integration. The new law directly targets civil society and independent media, which are considered essential pillars of any democracy. The chairs of the foreign affairs committees pledge their continued support for these organizations, praising their leadership and vision as true expressions of patriotism, in stark contrast to the 84 members of parliament who aligned with Russia in yesterday's vote.

The international community will not abandon the Georgian people, who have displayed unwavering commitment to democratic values through peaceful resistance. Those responsible for enacting this Russian-style law and for the violent targeting of nonviolent demonstrators, including individuals associated with Bidzina Ivanishvili, will not escape accountability. The joint statement firmly declares to the Georgian people that they are not alone in their struggles.

This collective voice of condemnation sends a strong message to the Georgian parliament and underscores the commitment of these Trans-Atlantic foreign affairs committee chairs to defending democracy, upholding European values, and supporting the aspirations of the Georgian people for a democratic and prosperous future.