German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) has criticized the Georgian government’s actions against pro-European demonstrators and initiated discussions on halting the EU accession process for the country in the South Caucasus. “In the EU, we should consider a formal suspension of Georgia’s accession process due to the increasingly authoritarian politics of the ‘Georgian Dream'” Baerbock said on Thursday.
“The EU candidate status granted to Georgia in December 2023 was tied to clear reform promises. This was also clear to the responsible representatives of the ‘Georgian Dream’. However, instead of progress, we see alarming setbacks: elections sharply criticized by international observers, disproportionate violence against demonstrators, the so-called ‘Transparency Law’ or the restriction of LGBTQI rights.” This way, the Georgian ruling party is squandering the “historic chance” that the European Union is offering the country.
Even Georgia’s long-standing partnership with Germany is being massively endangered by the party’s behavior. “As a consequence, we have reduced our cooperation with the authorities in the country and put projects worth over 200 million euros on hold” Baerbock said. “At the same time, we are consulting with our EU partners on further measures, ranging from the revocation of visa-free travel for Georgian officials to targeted sanctions.”
“It is now up to the responsible representatives of the ‘Georgian Dream’ to do everything to end the political crisis and offer the people of Georgia a real perspective for a return to the EU accession path” the Green politician said.
For weeks, tens of thousands have been demonstrating “bravely in the smallest villages and the largest cities for a European future for their country” she praised. “The majority of the people in Georgia wish to continue the European path of their country. They carry Europe in their hearts, the pro-European protests are their voice” said Baerbock.