Nino and Iliko Sukhishvili, who are in Croatia with the ensemble, responded to the re-initiation of the draft law on so-called foreign agents by the ruling Georgian Dream. They believe that the adoption of the Russian law will distance Georgia from Europe.
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"We should not forget that our first foreign enemy is Russia, and that foreign power is Russia with its aggression," noted Nino Sukhishvili, director of Sukhishvili.
As she says, it is very surprising why the government of Georgia stubbornly demands the adoption of the draft law, which failed exactly one year ago as a result of the protests of a large part of the society.
"It is surprising that this year the idea of passing this draft law, in which nothing has been changed except for one word, arose again. The agency is only removed, otherwise, in principle, it is absolutely the same, and those organizations that will be covered by this bill, I do not consider that they are carriers of the interests of foreign powers and foreign countries. On the contrary, they are the ones who protect Georgia's democratic path, freedom of speech, and establishment of critical opinion in our society, which is very important for the democracy we are fighting for.
We are now abroad. We are traveling to European countries, precisely in those countries that are our allies, friends, and by no means - a foreign power. I think that this will be a threat to the future of our country because we want peace, security, and a European future. I am afraid that this law will change the opinion of our friendly countries about our country," said Nino Sukhishvili.
Iliko Sukhishvili also commented TV Pirveli. He said that Georgia is now seen in the West as a country that makes every effort to avoid the European perspective.
“I don't think it looks pretty. Every time we are faced with such a threat, April 9th actually repeats itself to us, and I couldn't get out of here, for so many generations since the Soviet regime, the current regime, which is no less terrible in its format, we move away from the perspective of that freedom. I don't understand that. I don't know how things will develop. I hope the world sees us as the will of our people. We are arriving at the end of the month. Hopefully, we will get rid of Russia before that," Iliko Sukhishvili said.
Georgian Dream intends to have the parliament adopt the Russian law on so-called foreign agents in all three readings by the end of the current session, which it refused in March 2023 due to protests and international pressure. The text of the draft law is the same - only "agent of foreign influence" has been replaced by the term "organization carrying out the interests of a foreign power". Honorary chairman of the party Bidzina Ivanishvili supports the re-initiation of the Russian law. It is criticized by the United States of America and the European Union, as well as the United Nations and NATO. Strategic partners believe that such a law will divert Georgia from the European path and will negatively affect the work of independent non-governmental and media organizations.
