EU Ambassador announces suspension of high-level meetings with Georgian authorities amid political tensions

Pawel Herczynski, the Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia, announced on Friday that the EU has decided to suspend all high-level meetings with representatives of the Georgian government. His comments came during the presentation of Election Compass Georgia 2024 in Tbilisi, where he addressed escalating concerns regarding the country’s political landscape.

“The institutions of the European Union have decided to stop all high-level meetings with representatives of the Georgian government,” Herczynski said, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.

The announcement follows intensified criticism from Western powers towards the ruling Georgian Dream party, particularly after the controversial adoption of the foreign influence transparency law earlier this year. This legislation has been widely condemned by the United States, the European Union, and its member states, with many viewing it as a significant obstacle to Georgia’s aspirations for EU membership.

A document published by the European Commission in June outlined potential steps the EU might take if the political climate in Georgia fails to improve. In a previous statement on September 20, Herczynski expressed hope that the government emerging from the October 26 parliamentary elections would prioritize essential reforms necessary for Georgia’s progress towards European integration.

Should the political situation deteriorate further, the ambassador warned that the EU might resort to various measures, including the “cancellation of the visa-free regime” currently enjoyed by Georgians traveling to Europe.

This escalating diplomatic rift follows the EU’s suspension of a €30 million aid package aimed at bolstering Georgia’s defense capabilities in July. In a related development, US President Joe Biden’s administration recently revoked an invitation extended to Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze for a reception during the UNGA 79th session in New York, citing alleged anti-democratic actions and negative rhetoric from the Georgian government towards the United States as reasons for the cancellation.