United Nations in Georgia

On February 26, the United Nations in Georgia stated, "If adopted, such a law [on Transparency of Foreign Influence] is likely to impede the work of the UN to implement the Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, the country strategy that we have co-signed with the Government of Georgia."

It noted that adoption of the draft law would run the risk of impeding the work of civil society and media and the crucial contributions they make to Georgian democracy, and it expressed profound concern over the legislation. “The draft law poses risks to the full respect of freedoms of association and expression, the right to participate in public affairs, the right to privacy, and the prohibition of discrimination,” the statement added. “The UN has been a trusted partner of Georgia for over three decades, supporting the country’s development in line with Georgia’s own national priorities and assisting the people of Georgia together with all our local partners, including civil society and media,” the organization stated. The United Nations also noted that civil society organizations have been at the forefront of providing crucial services to the most vulnerable people and supporting the protection of their human rights. Therefore, "stigmatizing their work runs the risk of depriving those in need of effective assistance and support, including persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons, minorities, older people, women, youth, and children, survivors of domestic violence."

The United Nations in Georgia urged the Georgian authorities "to take all the necessary steps to avoid measures that risk having a chilling effect on Georgian democracy and the vibrancy and quality of development support to Georgia."

European Union countries

Some EU member states also criticize the Foreign Agent Law. The Norwegian MFA tweeted in response to the law that it is against the Georgian people's staunch European ambitions and international human rights commitments. According to the Foreign Ministry of Norway, the measure's passage will adversely impair bilateral collaboration between the two nations.

Maaike Van Koldam, the Dutch Ambassador to Georgia, expressed concern about the draft law on agents of foreign influence. According to van Koldam, the Dutch Embassy is a major donor and supporter of civil society organizations. She tweeted: “Strong civil society & media freedom are crucial in Georgia reform process and will continue to receive Netherlands’ full support. The draft law is inconsistent with EU aspirations and EU norms and values.”

According to Ulrik Tideström, Ambassador of Sweden to Georgia, the draft law is inconsistent with EU norms and values and with Georgia's EU aspirations. “Civil society and free media are at the core of democracy, development, and EU integration,” reminded Tideström.