EU Delivers Scathing Rebuke to Georgian Government Amid Escalating Tensions
BRUSSELS – The European Commission delivered an unusually sharp reprimand to the Georgian government on Thursday, denouncing recent attacks by ruling party officials against the EU Ambassador and other European diplomats as "baseless" and part of a calculated disinformation campaign. This public condemnation underscores the growing rift between Brussels and Tbilisi, fueled by concerns over democratic backsliding and the Georgian Dream party’s increasingly hostile rhetoric towards its European partners. The Commission reaffirmed its unwavering support for the EU Ambassador, emphasizing that his statements accurately reflect the EU’s position and concerns regarding Georgia’s trajectory.
The tensions escalated following a series of public pronouncements by high-ranking Georgian Dream officials, including Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, who accused European diplomats of meddling in Georgia’s internal affairs. These accusations, targeting the EU Ambassador, as well as the ambassadors of Germany and Lithuania, have been met with strong disapproval from Brussels. The European Commission spokesperson, Anita Hipper, labeled these accusations as "clear disinformation" and reiterated the EU’s commitment to upholding democratic values and supporting civil society in Georgia.
The Commission’s response signals a significant deterioration in the relationship between the EU and Georgia, a country that has long aspired to closer ties with Europe. Hipper emphasized that the EU’s support for Georgia’s European aspirations is contingent upon the country’s adherence to democratic principles, respect for human rights, and a commitment to the rule of law. The recent actions and rhetoric of the Georgian Dream government, however, have raised serious doubts about its commitment to these fundamental values, prompting the EU to take concrete measures to express its disapproval.
The EU has already implemented several measures in response to what it perceives as an alarming authoritarian drift in Georgia. These actions include the suspension of high-level political contacts, a freeze on direct financial assistance to government institutions, and the redirection of funds to support civil society organizations. Furthermore, the EU Council suspended visa exemptions for Georgian diplomatic passport holders in January, a move that underscores the seriousness of the situation. Hipper stressed that these measures are not merely symbolic gestures but concrete actions demonstrating the EU’s resolve to address the deteriorating democratic landscape in Georgia.
The Commission’s message to Tbilisi was unequivocal: support for Georgia’s European future is not unconditional and will not come at the expense of fundamental democratic principles. The EU expects the Georgian government to address its concerns regarding the repression of civil society, violence against journalists, hate speech, and politically motivated detentions. The Commission reiterated its commitment to standing by civil society, the free media, and the shared values that underpin the EU-Georgia relationship.
This latest exchange between Brussels and Tbilisi highlights the growing challenges facing Georgia’s European aspirations. The Georgian Dream government’s escalating attacks on European diplomats and its apparent disregard for democratic norms have placed the country’s relationship with the EU at a critical juncture. The EU’s firm response underscores its commitment to upholding democratic values and its willingness to take concrete action to defend them. The future of Georgia’s relationship with Europe now hinges on the Georgian government’s willingness to address the EU’s concerns and return to a path of democratic reform. Otherwise, the country risks further alienating its European partners and jeopardizing its long-held ambition of closer integration with the EU.
