US Begins Comprehensive Review of Bilateral Cooperation with Georgia: Blinken

The United States has announced a comprehensive review of bilateral cooperation with Georgia, linked to the controversial 'Foreign Agents' law. This was stated by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, as reported by Sputnik Georgia.

Earlier, it was reported that the Georgian Parliament adopted the 'Transparency of Foreign Influence' bill on May 14 in its third and final reading amid a month-long wave of protests. President Salome Zourabichvili exercised her veto power on May 18; however, the ruling 'Georgian Dream' party announced it would override the veto, as this was seen as the only way to ease tensions in the country.

'Today, I am initiating a comprehensive review of the bilateral cooperation between the United States and Georgia,' the statement from the Secretary of State reads. Blinken emphasized that Washington hopes Georgia's leaders will reconsider the law to advance democratic and Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

'As we review the relationship between our two countries, we will take into account Georgia's actions on this matter,' Blinken added.

It should be noted that the Georgian Parliament adopted the controversial 'Transparency of Foreign Influence' bill in its third and final reading on May 14, which has stirred unrest in the country for a significant period.