UK Halts Aid and Cooperation with Georgian Government, Condemns GD’s Brutal Suppression of Protests
The UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has announced the suspension of all program support to the Georgian government, as well as restrictions on defense cooperation and engagement with the Georgian government in response to the recent crackdown on protests in Georgia.
In an issued statement, Lammy condemned the “shocking scenes of violence towards protestors and journalists” by Georgian authorities, saying the actions are “unacceptable and must stop.”
“In light of ongoing events, the UK will immediately suspend all programme support to the Georgian government, restrict defence cooperation, and limit engagement with representatives of Georgian Dream government until there is a halt to this move away from European democratic norms and freedoms.”
Lammy emphasized that the actions of the Georgian Dream government “tarnish Georgia’s international standing” and contradict the country’s constitutional commitment to a European aspiration.
“The UK will continue to stand by the people of Georgia in supporting their right to choose their country’s future,” the Foreign Secretary stated, signaling continued support for Georgian civil society and peaceful protests.
Amid ongoing pro-EU protests in Georgia, sparked by the Georgian Dream government’s decision to postpone EU accession until 2028, several international developments have occurred. Prior to that, on October 29, amid the October 26 elections, Sweden’s Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, Benjamin Dousa, announced that the Swedish government would halt direct cooperation with the Georgian government.
Subsequently, on November 30, U.S. State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that the United States had suspended its strategic partnership with Georgia due to the Georgian Dream government’s decision to delay EU accession. Germany’s Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Svenja Schulze, also announced that no new development cooperation projects with Georgia would be approved or commissioned, and no loan agreements would be signed. These measures reflect growing international concerns over Georgia’s departure from the European path.
Also Read:
- 01/11/2024 – International Reactions to Results of the Parliamentary Elections in Georgia
- 05/11/2024 – Matthew Miller: U.S. Will Not Hesitate to Use Additional Measures
- 07/12/2024 – EC Report: Urgent Steps Needed to Avoid Activation of Visa Liberalizaiton Suspension Mechanism
This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)