US Suspends $95 Million in Aid to Georgia After Passage of Foreign Agent Law That Sparked Protests
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration has suspended $95 million in U.S. assistance to Georgia following the country's parliament adopting legislation related to foreign agents. Critics argue that this law, which has sparked weeks of mass protests, was inspired by a Russian law used to crack down on political dissent.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the decision to pause the Georgian aid, which would directly benefit the government, as a result of a review of assistance ordered in May after the law's passage. Blinken cited "anti-democratic" actions taken by the Georgian government as the reason for this action.
The U.S. has also imposed visa bans on several Georgian politicians and law enforcement officials for suppressing free speech, particularly voices advocating for Georgia's integration with the West. "The Georgian government’s anti-democratic actions and false statements are incompatible with membership norms in the EU and NATO," Blinken stated in a statement released during his tour of Asia.
Despite the suspension, Blinken emphasized that the U.S. would continue to fund programs in Georgia that promote democracy, the rule of law, independent media, and economic development. "We will remain committed to the Georgian people and their Euro-Atlantic aspirations," he said, noting that the U.S. has provided over $6.2 billion in assistance to Georgia since it gained independence from the Soviet Union.
The Georgian parliament passed the legislation in May, overriding a veto by the president. The law mandates that media and nongovernmental organizations register as "pursuing the interests of a foreign power" if they receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad. Critics argue that this law closely resembles legislation used by the Kremlin to silence opponents and will hinder Georgia’s bid to join the EU.