Georgian envoy to France resigns over 'foreign agent' bill
Georgia's ambassador to France has resigned over his country's draft law on "foreign agents", which opponents say is inspired by Russia and threatens free speech. Gotcha Javakhishvili also warned the bill would draw the South Caucasus nation away from its path of EU integration.
Under the legislation, NGOs and independent media receiving more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad would be required to register as agents of foreign influence, or face heavy fines.
It cleared a second reading in parliament on 1 May, sparking huge street protests in Georgia by demonstrators who see it as authoritarian and inspired by similar legislation used to crush dissent in neighbouring Russia.
The bill was abandoned last year after mass rallies but was reintroduced in mid-April by the ruling Georgian Dream party who said it would boost transparency.
The European Union has condemned the bill, saying its passage may endanger Georgia's bid to join the bloc.
Javakhishvili wrote on social media on Thursday: "The current tensions and climate generated by the revived draft law in our relations with our foreign friends and partners make my mission ... extremely difficult."
He said that while he did not personally know any Georgian officials or diplomats who were "openly pro-Russian", he believed the draft law "may be a kind of tactic to achieve a certain goal".
He added: "I no longer see my role and resources in this direction: the move towards Europe."
EU bid in the balance
Several European leaders have warned it is not compatible with European values.
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