The White House has disinvited Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze from a prestigious reception during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), another sign of souring relations between the two once-close allies over what Washington says are the "anti-democratic actions" of the Caucasus nation's government.
Media reports about the White House's decision were confirmed to RFE/RL on September 25 by the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi, which also said all meetings with Kobakhidze's delegation have been canceled.
"The Biden Administration rescinded Prime Minister Kobakhidze's invitation to its annual UNGA reception and declined to meet with the Georgian delegation due to increasing concerns about the Georgian government’s anti-democratic actions, disinformation, and negative rhetoric about the United States and the West," the embassy's statement said.
The Voice of America's Georgian Service first reported that Kobakhidze’s invitation to the traditional event had been canceled.
Georgia's government, dominated by the Georgian Dream party, has come under fire from the country's Western allies following its move to introduce a "foreign agent" law that many fear will stifle media and independent voices.
Parliament in May gave final passage to the law, overriding a veto by President Salome Zurabishvili, who split with legislators and party leaders in support of protesters who took to the streets en masse.
The law is modeled on a similar measure in Russia, which was initially passed in 2012 and has been gradually expanded and toughened to encompass civil society groups, human rights activists, media organizations, and others. The law has forced the closure of dozens of organizations and individuals in Russia, and forced activists and reporters to flee the country.
SEE ALSO: Defying Controversial 'Foreign-Agent' Law, Georgian NGOs Are Ready To FightThe Georgian Dream party insists the new law was needed to ensure transparency in the country's political scene and to protect its sovereignty, while the government has denied heavy-handed tactics were used against demonstrators.
Last week, the U.S. ambassador to Georgia, Robin Dunnigan, reiterated Washington's displeasure over the Georgian government’s recent statements and actions, saying they "further isolate Georgia from the West."
"The Georgian people have overwhelmingly said that their future is a future with Europe and with the West, and actions and statements that isolate Georgia don’t help that goal," she said.
"I want to reiterate once again that there is no stronger supporter in the world than the United States for the Georgian people and for the Georgian people’s Euro-Atlantic integration," Dunnigan added.
Dunnigan's statement came after Kobakhidze summoned her to officially protest the sanctions imposed by the United States on two Georgian officials and two Georgian citizens associated with brutal crackdowns on peaceful protestors and political opponents who rallied against the foreign agents law.
In May, the United States, which for years had been a steady supporter of Georgia's aspirations to join NATO and the European Union, announced visa restrictions on Georgian government officials and a comprehensive review of bilateral relations over the legislation, which was signed into law in June.
Georgia was given EU candidate status on December 14, but has yet to start the accession negotiations, which can last for years. Georgians have also been given the green light for visa-free travel in the Schengen zone. Both of the diplomatic initiatives are under threat because of the law's approval.