Georgian FM: Georgia’s measures against foreign influence follow standard international practices

Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili on Saturday said that Georgia was taking the right steps to counter foreign influence and interference by establishing a proper legislative framework.

In her remarks, Botchorishvili recalled that when Georgia first began discussing restrictions on foreign influence to safeguard its sovereignty, it faced significant backlash.

“Back when we started talking about restricting foreign influence and interference and ensuring that nothing would threaten our country’s sovereignty, you saw what reactions these efforts and steps provoked”, she said.

The Foreign Minister emphasised that creating a legislative framework was the appropriate and standard method for regulating such issues.

“This is yet another confirmation that legislation and the creation of a legal framework are the way in which any issue should be regulated. In this case, we are talking about foreign influence. This is further proof that Georgia is managing, through the right steps, to address the challenge known as foreign influence and interference”, Botchorishvili concluded.

The United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved a bipartisan bill that envisages restricting the influence of foreign countries, including China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and Cuba, and increasing transparency in the activities of their agents.