Blinken announces decision on visa restrictions on Georgia and US-Georgia cooperation review

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a statement on May 23, announcing the U.S. decision to introduce visa restrictions on Georgia and to review the U.S.-Georgia cooperation because of the adoption of the “foreign influence” law.

Blinken said that the law passed by the ruling part of Georgia will “stifle the exercise of freedoms of association and expression, stigmatize organizations that serve the citizens of Georgia, and impede independent media organizations working to provide Georgians with access to high quality information”.

He also criticized the Georgian Government for suppressing the protests staged against the law.

“In response to these actions, the Department of State is implementing a new visa restriction policy for Georgia that will apply to individuals who are responsible for or complicit in undermining democracy in Georgia, as well as their family members. This includes individuals responsible for suppressing civil society and freedom of peaceful assembly in Georgia through a campaign of violence or intimidation,” Blinken said.

The U.S. secretary of state also said that he is “launching today a comprehensive review of bilateral cooperation between the United States and Georgia”.

“It remains our hope that Georgia’s leaders will reconsider the draft law and take steps to move forward with their nation’s democratic and Euro-Atlantic aspirations. As we review the relationship between our two countries, we will take into account Georgia’s actions in deciding our own,” Blinken concluded.