EU suspends high-level meetings with Georgian government
Illustrative image (Getty Images)
The European Union (EU) has suspended high-level meetings with representatives of the Georgian government due to the anti-European actions and rhetoric of the ruling party, according to EU Ambassador to Georgia Paweł Herczyński.
EU Ambassador noted that an internal discussion took place among EU member states in the summer regarding the approach to Georgia's government, which has been unfriendly toward the bloc. The anti-Western and anti-European narratives were discussed, as well as propaganda and conspiracy theories, leading to the decision to halt high-level contacts with the current government.
"If Georgia becomes a one-party state, a country where political opposition is banned, where civil society must go abroad to work, and where fundamental human rights, not to mention minority rights, are not protected, Georgia will not be able to become a member of the European Union - not today, not tomorrow, not the day after tomorrow," the Ambassador emphasized.
He also expressed hope that during the elections on October 26, Georgia will elect a new government that aligns with EU values.
"It’s up to you, Georgian voters, to decide which party to vote for, but I must say: please go and vote, your vote is really important. We sincerely hope that turnout in the upcoming elections on October 26 will be historically high and that you will collectively decide the future of your country," he added.
Relations between Georgia and the EU
Recently, the Georgian parliament passed a law on the transparency of foreign influence, similar to one that has been in effect in Russia for several years. According to this law, Georgian organizations receiving foreign funding must register as "foreign agents."
The adoption of this law has negatively impacted Georgia's relations with the West, particularly halting its process of joining the European Union. In response, the United States has imposed sanctions on several Georgian officials.
