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TBILISI, Georgia (CHATNEWSTV) — The United States has strongly condemned the decision by Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party to suspend the country’s European Union accession process, a move that critics say betrays the aspirations of the Georgian people and leaves the nation vulnerable to Russian influence.
In a statement on Saturday, U.S. State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said the decision undermines Georgia’s constitutional commitment to pursue full integration into the EU and NATO.
“By suspending Georgia’s EU accession process, Georgian Dream has rejected the opportunity for closer ties with Europe and made Georgia more vulnerable to the Kremlin,” Miller said.
The suspension of the process comes amid widespread public support in Georgia for European integration. The United States also denounced what it described as the excessive use of force by police against peaceful demonstrators.
“The United States condemns the excessive use of force by police against Georgians seeking to exercise their rights to assembly and expression, including their freedom to peacefully protest,” Miller said. “We call on all sides to ensure protests remain peaceful.”
Washington expressed further concern over Georgian Dream’s recent actions, which it said violate the principles of the U.S.-Georgia Strategic Partnership. These include commitments to democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights.
“Georgian Dream’s various anti-democratic actions have violated the core tenets of our U.S.-Georgia Strategic Partnership,” Miller said, adding that the United States has suspended the partnership mechanism as a result.
The U.S. urged the Georgian government to recommit to its Euro-Atlantic path and address allegations of election irregularities while repealing laws that limit freedoms of assembly and expression.
“We reiterate our call to the Georgian government to return to its Euro-Atlantic path, transparently investigate all parliamentary election irregularities, and repeal anti-democratic laws,” Miller said.
The move by Georgian Dream has sparked fresh protests in the capital, Tbilisi, with thousands taking to the streets calling for a reversal of the decision.
Editor: Gabriel Ani
