On 1 December, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos regretted the statement by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on the decision by the governing party, Georgian Dream, not to pursue the opening of EU accession negotiations and to reject EU financial support until 2028 (see EUROPE 13534/31).
“This announcement marks a shift from the policies of all previous Georgian governments and the European aspirations of the vast majority of the Georgian people, as enshrined in the constitution of Georgia”, they stressed in a joint statement.
They recalled that the course of action taken by the Georgian authorities and their democratic backsliding led to the de facto halt of the accession process in June 2024 and that EU financial aid to the Georgian authorities was currently suspended (see EUROPE 13524/4). “The return of Georgia to European values and the EU accession path is in the hands of the Georgian leadership”, warned the two EU representatives, adding that the door to the EU remained open.
At a time when some Georgians have taken to the streets to reaffirm their aspirations to join the European Union, the EU “strongly condemns the violence against peaceful protesters, who are standing firm for their European and democratic future. These actions by the Georgian government have direct consequences on our relationship”, warned the High Representative and the European Commissioner. They reiterated that the Georgian authorities must respect the right to freedom of assembly and expression and refrain from using force against peaceful demonstrators, political leaders and media representatives. “All acts of violence must be investigated and those responsible held accountable”, said Ms Kallas and Ms Kos. They further reiterated that the EU stood by the Georgian people and their choice of a European future.
On Monday 2 December, the European External Action Service spokesperson Anitta Hipper announced that the Foreign Affairs Council on 16 December would be discussing the situation in Georgia. On the same day, Lithuania and Estonia announced that they had sanctioned eleven Georgian public figures whom they considered responsible for violating human rights during the demonstrations. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)