German Education Ministry Halts Expansion of Scientific Cooperation with Georgia

The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research has frozen the upgrade of scientific cooperation with Georgia, German Ambassador Peter Fischer wrote today, February 26.

Fischer said the decision would affect student mobility and research programs between the two countries, as well as Georgia’s participation in EU-funded initiatives. “Georgians who attended German universities – mostly on German scholarships – know the loss,” he noted.

According to the Ambassador, the decision was made due to “Georgia’s curbs on academic freedom and the halt of EU accession.”

Fischer clarified that the current German funding of almost one million euros for education in Georgia remains unaffected. The DAAD scholarships, which are primarily aimed at graduates, doctoral students, and post-graduate students are also not affected yet. “But Germany is monitoring and reviewing all aspects of relationships with Georgia with regret,” he added.

Georgian Dream’s Minister of Education, Aleksandre Tsuladze, downplayed Ambassador Fischer’s statement, saying that the decision relates to a “temporary suspension” of yet-to-be-launched future cooperation between the two countries’ ministries, and stressing that ongoing programs are unaffected.

He also said that with this decision, which he noted was made on February 20, days before Germany’s federal elections, the German Minister of Education sought “to leave an obscure legacy” for the new government and “bring dissonance in relations between the two countries.”

Statement by German Embassy

The German Embassy announced on February 28 that the suspension of cooperation with the Georgian Ministry of Education and other related agencies stems from Georgia’s recent “deviation from the European path.”

However, the embassy also emphasized that the BMBF remains open to resuming dialogue if the Georgian authorities take “credible and tangible steps” toward internal de-escalation, the restoration of academic freedom, and a return to the European integration path.

In a show of solidarity, the embassy expressed its support for Georgian scientists striving to conduct research in a free environment, noting that Germany is committed to maintaining dialogue with researchers and civil society in Georgia. The embassy also reaffirmed its ongoing support for the country’s rapprochement with Europe.

“We believe that student exchanges between Georgia and Germany are vital for strengthening ties with Europe, and these will continue,” the embassy stated. “Our goal is to maintain research and networking opportunities between German and Georgian scientists. Project and individual funding will also continue, signaling support for those who advocate for a European, cosmopolitan Georgia.”

Additionally, the BMBF advised German universities and research organizations to suspend institutional cooperation with Georgian state institutions, within the bounds of legal possibilities. The embassy stressed that decisions about academic freedom should ultimately rest with the scientific community itself.

NOTE: This news article was updated on February 28, 2025 at 15:25 am to include German Embassy’s statement

Also Read:

• 04/12/2024 – Germany Suspends Development Cooperation with Georgia over Democracy Concerns and U-Turn on EU Path
• 10/07/2024 – Ambassador: Germany Stops New Financing, Pulls out from Drills, Keeps Student Visas
  
  

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