This is a Russian law, it is an exact copy of Putin’s law, which was adopted a few years ago in order to destroy civil society and non-governmental organizations, – said the President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili in an interview with CNN.
She claimed that last year, this law was not passed and Georgia was given the candidate status thanks to the protest of the population of Georgia.
“Now we are one step closer to joining the European Union, because at the end of the year, they may make a decision on the start of accession negotiations for Georgia. This is a very important step, and Russia has started a hybrid strategy and is trying to stop us on this path, and the government is clearly helping them,” the President said.
When asked what she would do if the Georgian government approves the draft law, the President answered that she could veto it, but it would be more of a symbolic veto, as the ruling party would have the opportunity to override the veto.
“So now it is important to draw the attention of our partners, because the law is also directed against our partners, all international organizations operating in Georgia. This is really a geopolitical war, not a military war that you see now in Ukraine, but a different type of “soft” war,” the President said.
Related story: President: Georgian people will never allow the pro-Russian gov’t to remain in power
