The so-called "Transparency of Foreign Influence" law is a step backwards for Georgia's democracy and contradicts its aspirations and values related to NATO and the European Union. If this draft law becomes a law, it will seriously harm the freedom of speech and association and undermine the active civil society and media landscape of Georgia, - it is mentioned in the statement issued by the Bureau of the Parliamentary Assembly of NATO regarding the draft law 'foreign agent'.

"In a few days, the important partnership of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly with our associate member Georgia will be 25 years old. The importance of this relationship is reflected through the Georgia-NATO Inter-Parliamentary Council. The NATO Parliamentary Assembly remains firmly committed to Georgia's sovereignty, territorial integrity, democracy and aspirations to join NATO. We recognized Georgia as a candidate country under the condition that joining NATO is the path chosen by Georgia and the Georgian people and fixed in the constitution.

However, common democratic values are the basis of the NATO alliance, and respect for these values is a necessary condition for NATO membership," the statement said.

According to the document, by resubmitting and passing the draft law 'foreign agent', the Georgian government broke the promise given to its own people and international partners.

"The so-called "Transparency of Foreign Influence" law is a backward step for Georgia's democracy and contradicts its aspirations and values related to NATO and the European Union. If this bill becomes law, it will seriously harm freedom of speech and association and undermine Georgia's vibrant civil society and media landscape. By re-submitting and passing the law, the Georgian government broke a promise to its own people and international partners. They responded to peaceful protests with unacceptable violence and chose to ignore the clear and consistent calls of their closest partners," the statement said.

According to the assessment of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Bureau, Georgia is at a crossroads.

"Georgia stands at a crossroads. If the government and parliament want to show Georgia's readiness to join NATO in the future, they should return to the path of democratic reforms and democratic consolidation. This law, which was vetoed by the President of Georgia, should be recalled now.

The Georgian people have repeatedly shown that they want a democratic Georgia - in the European Union and NATO. They bravely protested this bill. We will continue to support them and their aspirations. We will continue the dialogue with the Georgian delegation in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in order to convey these strong messages, but also to offer our full support for Georgia's European and Euro-Atlantic path," the statement said.