Repressive moves, violence, arrests & mounting pressure on free media are clear signs: Georgian Dream is steering the country away from European and democratic path. This affects our partnership. Norway's response: https://t.co/t8TlQiWa9d
In this thread, I’m explaining the key issue to understand about Georgia and what the focus should be when dealing with its illegitimate government. Spoiler: it’s the Russian intelligence activity. 1/10
Clear message from our NB group:
Georgia urgently needs a way out of the crisis, and to restore public trust in its democratic institutions. We urge immediate steps in this direction.
The U.S. is sanctioning Bidzina Grigoris Dze Ivanishvili, the founder and honorary chairman of Georgian Dream. His actions have enabled human rights abuses and undermined the democratic and European future of the Georgian people for the benefit of the Russian Federation.
The banner reads: "A country that endured [Russia's] war does not apologize," countering Ivanishvili's claim that the 2008 war was caused by “external forces” (hinting the West) & previous government, and his suggestion that Georgians should “find it in themselves to apologize.”
"March of Zurab Zhvania" came on Rustaveli.
Zurab Zhvania was a prime minister of Georgia i 2004-2005.
"I am Georgian and therefore I am European", is a famous quote which he said in Council of Europe in 1999.
President @realDonaldTrump has made it very clear where he stands on the self-professed enemies of America. If Bidzina Ivanishvili goes through with his plan to destroy Georgian democracy on Dec 29, he should expect a response like he’s never imagined.
I am concerned by the @osce_odihr report on the elections in #Georgia 🇬🇪that documents numerous irregularities, pressure on voters, intimidation and an unlevel playing field.
Uncertainties relating to the integrity of electoral process undermine confidence and must be addressed.
You won’t see as many EU flags in any other EU country as you do in Georgia. Nowhere across the EU will you find so many people fighting on a daily basis for and defending democratic values like the Georgians.
Here Georgians show how exactly they are gonna vote in six days.
Norway regrets Georgia's adoption of the anti-LGBT+ legislative package.
This undermines fundamental human rights, democratic values, and 🇬🇪 Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
We urge Georgia to reconsider - @EspenBarthEide
DoS Spox: "I don't think Georgia needs to apologize for having been invaded by Russia... "
"It is Russia that has been the aggressor in invading Georgia and continuing to illegally occupy Georgia, as Russia has been the aggressor with other countries in the region," DoS Spox tells me
Read Giorgi Kandelaki's op-ed on failure to consider #Georgia in the process of recent prisoner swap between the #US, #Germany, and #Russia and why it plays into hands of the #GD government and its narrative about the West
@kandelakigiorgi
https://t.co/mfGsuMq1ZJ
In August 2008, Russian troops invaded Georgia.
16 years on, the occupation persists.
In Georgia as in Ukraine, we once again call on Russia to end its blatant violation of international law, and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighbours.
Addressing misinterpretation of #EU support to #Georgia. Important to clarify in context of “Foreign Agents” law.
The 10 largest beneficiaries of 2019-2024 🇪🇺 assistance ⬇️
🇬🇪 Ministries were allocated over 10x the support that civil society was.
#FactsMatter#FightingDisinfo
The 🇪🇺 options paper on🇬🇪 sent to member states:
Short-term measures: pause financing, suspend high-level meetings
If situation deteriorates: individual sanctions,visas for diplo passport,cut military aid/support
Significant deterioration: visa lib suspension, stop 🇪🇺 integration