The former members of Georgian Dream issue a statement about the draft laws on agents of foreign influence.

According to the statement, not only the adoption, but even the consideration of the said draft laws will cause irreparable damage to the European integration process of the country, especially at a time when the country is waiting to receive the candidate status.

"As the signatories of this statement, we would like to publicly express our unequivocal position about the initiative introduced by members of the parliamentary majority on "agents of foreign influence". This is because the issue is beyond the political interests of any group and directly affects the future of our country.

Not only the adoption, but even the consideration of the mentioned draft laws will cause irreparable damage to the European integration process of our country, especially at the time when the country is waiting for the candidate status.

This initiative contradicts the fundamental principles of democracy and causes the demonization of friendly and partner countries, as well as the Georgian civil society, and presents them as hostile forces, which is categorically unacceptable. The world has already seen similar results on the example of Russia.

It is especially harmful to discuss these draft laws against the background of non-acceptance of the said initiative by all friendly countries of Georgia and negative attitude towards it.

Along with the negative social impact and irreversible damage to the country's foreign reputation, the consideration of the draft laws harms the ongoing political process in the country, causes unnecessary stir in the Georgian society and greatly deepens the controversy.

We call on the Parliament of Georgia to immediately stop the consideration of draft laws and start implementing the reforms necessary for obtaining the status of a candidate for EU membership through an open and inclusive process," the statement reads.

The statement is signed by:

Tedo Japaridze - Member of the Parliament of the 8th Convocation of Georgia, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee (2012-2016);

Tamar Chugoshvili - Member of the Parliament of the 9th Convocation, First Deputy of the Parliament (2016-2019);

Tamar Khulordava - Member of the Parliament of the 9th convocation, Chairwoman of the European Integration Committee (2016-2019);

Dimitri Tskitishvili - Member of the Parliament of the 9th Convocation, Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee (2016-2019);

Irina Fruidze - Member of the Parliament of the 9th Convocation, First Deputy Chairwoman of the European Integration Committee (2016-2019);

Akaki Zoidze - Member of the Parliament of the 9th Convocation, Chairman of the Health Protection and Social Affairs Committee (2016-2019);

Nino Goguadze - Member of the Parliament of the 9th Convocation, First Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee (2016-2019);

Zaza Khutsishvili - Member of the Parliament of the 9th convocation, First Deputy Chairman of the Environment Protection and Natural Resources Committee (2016-2019);

Zviad Kvachantiradze - Member of the Parliament of the 8th and 9th Convocations, leader of the parliamentary majority (2015-2016), chairman of the Georgia-EU Association Parliamentary Committee (2015-2016);

Levan Gogichaishvili - Member of the Parliament of the 9th convocation;

Khatuna Gogaladze - Minister of Environment Protection (2012-2014);

Levan Koberidze - Member of the Parliament of the 9th Convocation, Deputy Chairman of the Health Protection and Social Affairs Committee (2016-2019);

Giorgi Mosidze - Member of the Parliament of the 9th convocation, member of the European Integration Committee (2016-2019);

Tamaz Naveriani - Member of the Parliament of the 9th convocation.