Following the hostile approach towards the European Union by the ruling pro-Russian party in Georgia, the EU should consider officially suspending Georgia's membership process, stated German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Thursday.
"With its anti-European shift, the Georgian Dream party has deliberately delayed and effectively suspended Georgia's membership process," said the German foreign minister.
Baerbock suggested that the EU should discuss a formal suspension of the membership process due to the increasingly authoritarian policies of the Georgian Dream party.
She explained that Georgia was granted EU candidate status in December 2023 based on clear promises of reform. "Instead of witnessing progress, we are observing an alarming regression," she continued, highlighting the crackdown on pro-European demonstrations across the country, including the capital, Tbilisi.
Additional measures
The ruling party also endangers the decades-old relationship between Germany and Georgia, Baerbock asserted. Recent events have led the German Foreign Ministry to reduce cooperation with Georgia and suspend projects worth over €200 million.
Germany is considering additional measures with its EU partners, "ranging from the withdrawal of visa-free travel for Georgian decision-makers to targeted sanctions," according to Baerbock.
The pro-European opposition questions the declared victory of the Georgian Dream in the late October legislative elections and criticises its decision to suspend EU membership discussions.
Protests have been repeatedly violently suppressed, activists detained, and members of the opposition and media representatives attacked.
