The European Union is prepared to take further action against the Georgian government, including sanctions, to hold those responsible for violence against protesters accountable, according to a statement by the EU press service on Wednesday. In the statement, the EU said it has taken into account the decision by the Baltic statesto impose sanctions againstGeorgian Dreamon the basis thatthe ruling party's actions are aimed at violating fundamental rights and freedoms and further reducing the space for civil society to operate.
The Georgian Dream's policy of repression aims to undermine fundamental rights and freedoms and further reduce the space for civil society to operate, the statement said. The EU is already taking measures: the EU has reduced political contacts with the Georgian authorities, except for those focused on finding a solution to the current situation. The EU has suspended direct assistance to the Georgian authorities of more than €120 million. It has suspended a €30 million support measure for 2024 through the European Peace Facility and does not plan any support measures in 2025.
The statement noted that the EU is strengthening its support for civil society and independent media and will continue to closely monitor the impact of recent legislative initiatives on civil society organizations and independent media. "Recently, the European Council suspended visa-free travel for Georgian diplomats, officials and their families holding diplomatic and official passports.
According to the statement, the EU stands ready to take further action, including sanctions, to hold those responsible accountable for the violence.On March 3, Lithuania imposed sanctions on 74 Georgian citizens, Latvia on 16, and Estonia on 55, including high-ranking officials. These sanctions involve travel restrictions, barring those affected from entering the Baltic states.
Earlier, the European Parliament passed another critical resolution on Georgia, refusing to recognize the legitimacy of the Georgian Dream government, calling for sanctions against the party-affiliated elite, and demanding the release of those arrested during protests.
In its latest resolution, MEPs also expanded the list of individuals for whom they urge EU sanctions and emphasized that “resolving the ongoing political and constitutional crisis in Georgia can only be achieved through new parliamentary elections.”
Source: commonspace.eu with agencies