European Union Freezes IDR 520 Billion Aid For Georgian Soldiers, Law On Foreign Agents Triggers

UNSPLASH/Christian Lue/Flag of European Union on top of German Reichstag

EU Ambassador to Georgia said the EU froze military aid of 30 million euros (or equivalent to Rp520 billion) to Georgia.

Georgia's parliament in June passed a law requiring groups receiving funds from abroad to register as foreign agents, which were criticized by domestic and Western opposition as Russia's inspired action to crack down on dissent.

"For now, the money we plan to transfer to the Georgia Ministry of Defense, which is 30 million euros, has been frozen, and this is just the first step. There will be other steps," said Ambassador Pawel Herczynski.

Herczynski said the EU would gradually reduce aid to the Georgia government, and would instead turn to the support of civil society and the country's media.

This move is the first direct consequence of the deteriorating relationship between Georgia and the EU over foreign agent laws, and comes after the United States postponed military exercises with Georgian soldiers indefinitely last week.

The law requires all organizations receiving more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad to register as agents of foreign influence, or will face heavy fines and disclosure requirements.

The ratification of the bill sparked a major division in relations between Georgia, which since 1991 has been one of the most pro-Western Soviet Union's successor countries and Western countries.

The Georgia government has in recent years drawn criticism from the West for what critics say is an authoritarian trend at home, and deepening ties with Russia and China abroad.

Georgia in December 2023 received EU candidate status, but the bloc has repeatedly said Tbilisi's current policy means its membership efforts are effectively frozen.