"Let me assure you that the parliamentary discussions will be inclusive in view to find the best version to provide the freedom of the active civil society of Georgia, so the legitimate objectives of transparency, accountability and security", – the Speaker, Shalva Papuashvili responds to the letter of the CoE Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović concerning the Draft Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence submitted by the “People’s Power” Group to the Parliament.

As Speaker Papuashvili underlines in his letter, both Drafts are to be submitted to the Venice Commission to ensure the reflection of the legitimate objectives of transparency, accountability and security in the legislation providing the international standards.

Per the Speaker, the Georgian Parliament is committed to cooperating with international and local partners.

“Dear Commissioner,

I would like to thank you for your letter concerning the Draft Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence submitted by the “People’s Power” Group. Georgia, backed by and in cooperation with the CoE, has achieved essential progress in our democratic transformation.

Our aspirations at the EU integration path are affirmed by our loyalty to the fundamental principles of the Convention and democratic values, which have created a solid basis for a diverse and strong civil society in our country.

We agree on the approach that any regulations that may affect public organizations shall be strictly based on the principles of democracy and rule of law. Currently, two Draft Laws have been submitted to the Parliament – one is an exact copy of the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), and another is a less restrictive liberal version of FARA. Let me assure you that the parliamentary discussion on the hereof initiatives will be inclusive in view to find the best version to provide the freedom of the active civil society of Georgia, so the legitimate objectives of transparency, accountability and security.

Mme. Commissioner, the citizens constitute the basis of civil society enjoining the right to be informed about the actors that affect their lives. The privilege to affect the formulation of the politics and decision-making process is accompanied by respective responsibility. The state institutions and political parties are guided under strict regulations concerning openness, transparency and accountability, which is recognized by numerous international organizations.

However, contrary to this statement, despite the increasing engagement and influence of non-commercial organizations in the decision-making process, no effective regulation is available to ensure their transparency and accountability, including when we deal with foreign financing.

The further Georgia advances at the EU integration path, the more essential the acknowledgment and respect for this common responsibility become. At that, the availability of similar regulations may be of utmost importance for the issues related to security, such are money-laundry, corruption, financing of terrorism and other threats dictated by the grave regional security milieu.

It is noteworthy that we intend to submit both Draft Laws to the Venice Commission to reflect the legitimate objectives of transparency, accountability and security in the legislation providing the international standards.

The Georgian Parliament is committed to cooperating with international and local partners.

Your Excellency, please, accept the assurances of my highest consideration and esteem.

Sincerely,

Shalva Papuashvili