UK limits engagement with Georgian government amid crackdown on pro-EU protesters
- 10 December, 08:55
The United Kingdom has suspended all program support to Georgia and limited engagement with the government of the South Caucasus republic due to the democratic backsliding.
The UK’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of Great Britain, David Lammy, made the relevant statement on Monday. Lammy particularly highlighted the violence against protesters and journalists in the pro-EU demonstrations that enter the second week.
“The shocking scenes of violence against protesters and journalists by the Georgian authorities are unacceptable and must be stopped. These actions harm Georgia’s international positions and contradict Georgia’s constitutional commitment to the European future. In view of the current events, the United Kingdom immediately suspends program support to the Government of Georgia, limits cooperation in the field of defense and reduces engagement with representatives of the “Georgian Dream” government, until the retreat from European democratic norms and freedoms is stopped," Lammy said in the statement shared by the British Embassy.
The officials stressed that the UK “will continue to stand by the people of Georgia and support their right to choose the future of their country.”
A massive wave of protests erupted in Georgia against the ruling Georgian Dream party’s November 28 decision to suspend negotiations with the European Union over the country’s integration to the EU. The government’s surprise decision incited nationwide protests with police cracking down on protesters with the use of water cannons, pepper spray, and tear gas. The protesters have been demanding the government to return the country to the path of EU integration and to annul the results of the October 26 parliamentary elections that were deemed as rigged by the Georgia Dream party.
