The continued undemocratic behavior of the Georgian authorities, in particular their aggressiveness in pushing through a ‘Russian-style’ law on foreign agents, silencing and using force against peaceful demonstrators, has crossed the line, – reads a letter sent by over 30 MEPs to Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.
The MEPs claim that such behavior has further increased tensions and polarization within Georgian politics and society, which runs counter to the nine steps to which the Georgian government committed itself when the country was granted EU candidate status, and can no longer be ignored by the European Union.
“We call on you to take a firm stance and the following measures, which would send a clear signal to the Georgian authorities.
First, the behavior of the Georgian authorities and the leading party Georgian Dream is contrary to the obligations of an EU candidate country. Georgia’s candidate status should therefore be suspended without any further progress in the accession process.
Second, EU funding of the Georgian state budget and government programs should be reviewed.
Third, an interim assessment of Georgia’s progress in implementing the nine steps set out in the Commission’s recommendation of 8 November 2023 should be carried out without further delay. This measure was included in the Parliament’s resolution of 25 April 2024 on attempts to reintroduce a foreign agent law in Georgia and its restrictions on civil society.
In recent years we have worked tirelessly to support the Georgian people and their aspirations to join the EU. We remain determined to do so, but the democratic criteria for all EU candidate countries are the same and must be respected”, reads the letter.
Related story: Parliament to discuss the transparency bill on May 13
