The Georgian Dream government has said it will maintain a “unilateral friendship regime” with Lithuania and Estonia, despite sanctions imposed by the two countries on around 20 Georgian officials, including Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.
In a statement on Monday, the Georgian government said it would not take countermeasures out of respect for the Lithuanian and Estonian people. However, it accused their governments of acting “at the dictates of a foreign administration” and said they had “the most limited sovereignty in the European Union today.” It did not specify which foreign power it was referring to.
The sanctions, announced by Lithuania and Estonia on 15 December, expanded an existing list of Georgian officials accused of involvement in violence against protesters, journalists, and opposition members.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said the sanctions were coordinated with Estonia.
The move follows similar actions by Ukraine earlier this month, as well as US visa restrictions imposed on Georgian officials accused of undermining democracy.
Protests erupted in Georgia after the government announced on 28 November that it would delay negotiations for EU membership until at least 2028. Demonstrators have accused the government of turning its back on European integration.
Authorities have been accused of using excessive force to suppress dissent. More than 400 people have been arrested, while journalists and human rights defenders have reported violence and intimidation.
The US State Department has strongly condemned what it described as the Georgian government’s “brutal and unjustified” response to peaceful demonstrations.
Bidzina Ivanishvili, the honorary chairman of Georgian Dream, and several senior Interior Ministry officials have also been sanctioned by Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia.
