The foreign ministers of Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, along with the EU High Representative (Kaja Kallas), have issued a joint statement concerning the recent developments in Georgia. They call on the ruling party, Georgian Dream, to release political prisoners and repeal repressive laws. They also express readiness to use all mechanisms at their disposal if Georgian Dream continues to undermine democracy.
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The joint statement was published by the British Embassy in Georgia. Below is the full, unedited text:
“We, the Foreign Ministers of European democracies, are disturbed and deeply concerned at the deteriorating situation in Georgia.
We strongly condemn the recent, politically motivated, imprisonment and detention of the leaders of Georgian opposition, clearly designed to stifle political opposition in Georgia, a few months ahead of the local elections.
Their detention, as well as arbitrary arrests and increasing repression of other Georgian authorities` critics, representatives of civil society, peaceful protesters and independent journalists, contribute to dismantling of democracy in Georgia and rapid transformation towards an authoritarian system, in contradiction to European norms and values. Recent legislative changes aim at stifling independent civil society and legitimate protest.
The course of political repression carried out by the Georgian authorities has led, in reaction, to a considerable downgrading of our relationship, including reduction of assistance and cooperation with Georgian authorities.
Today, the authoritarian and anti-European course of the Georgian authorities further threatens Georgia’s democratic achievements and relations with our countries.
We will continue to call out Georgian authorities’ undemocratic actions and violations of human rights and will not hesitate to make use of the range of unilateral and multilateral tools available to us should Georgian authorities continue to take steps that erode Georgia’s democracy and respect for human rights.
It is not too late to reverse course. We call on the Georgian authorities to immediately release unjustly detained politicians, journalists and activists, to reverse repressive legislation and to engage in a national dialogue with all relevant stakeholders to find a way out of the current situation,” – statement says.
It is known that the foreign ministers of the EU member states will also discuss the situation in Georgia on July 15 during the Foreign Affairs Council meeting. According to the agenda, the council will “consider possible measures in response to the government's growing repression.”
