Georgian Parliament official: US move to tighten FARA underscores need to prevent destructive foreign influence

Gia Volski, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party and the First Vice Speaker of Parliament, on Thursday responded to the United States’ move to tighten the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), saying it reflected the need to prevent foreign interference, particularly what he described as “destructive” foreign influence in Georgia.

“Of course, Georgia and many other countries are far more vulnerable to this kind of threat. We have seen numerous unfortunate examples. We have witnessed five revolutions in which people were directly involved who were financed through certain foreign resources. These threats have been overcome, but they have neither diminished nor disappeared. Therefore, we understand the tightening of these regulations in the United States, and we understand the need for it”, he noted.

“Once again, we reaffirm that foreign influence, particularly destructive influence, must be prevented in Georgia”, Volski concluded.

The US State Department responded to a reminder issued by the Department of Justice regarding federal legislation requiring individuals to register as foreign agents when they operate in the United States at the direction of or under the control of a foreign government or foreign entity.