EU will continue supporting Georgian people despite lack of cooperation with government, Kos

The European Union will continue to support Georgian civil society and the public despite its current lack of cooperation with the Georgian government, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has said.

Speaking ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg on Monday, Kos said the EU could not work with the Georgian authorities under the current circumstances, citing “democratic backsliding” and “legislation that moves the country further away from European values.”

“We will not cooperate with them as long as they are not moving forward and are instead moving backwards through the laws they have adopted. Until there is progress and steps are taken towards European values, we will not cooperate with them,” Kos said.

She stressed that the EU had an important message for the Georgian public, stressing that support for civil society and citizens would continue despite the strained relationship with the government.

“There are many areas in which we provide assistance, and we will continue to do so,” she said.

Kos added that it would be preferable for Georgia to be a candidate country in practice, rather than merely on paper, but said progress required engagement from both sides.