AP, BERLIN
The foreign ministers of Germany, France and Poland on Tuesday expressed concern about “the political crisis” in Georgia, two days after Mikheil Kavelashvili was formally inaugurated as president of the South Caucasus nation, cementing the ruling party’s grip in what the opposition calls a blow to the country’s EU aspirations and a victory for former imperial ruler Russia.
“We strongly condemn last week’s violence against peaceful protesters, media and opposition leaders, and recall Georgian authorities’ responsibility to respect human rights and protect fundamental freedoms, including the freedom to assembly and media freedom,” the three ministers wrote in a joint statement.
In reaction to the Russia-friendly course of the ruling Georgian Dream party, the three countries said they would “implement the EU decision on ending visa-free travel for Georgian diplomatic and service passport holders and consider additional measures on EU and national level.”
People protest against the Georgian government outside parliament in Tbilisi yesterday.
Photo: AFP
They also said that “the political course of repression and democratic backsliding by the Georgian Dream has in reaction led to a downgrading of our relationship at European and national level and a reduction of our assistance to and cooperation with Georgia’s authorities.”
The Georgian Dream party retained control of parliament in the nation in the Oct. 26 election that the opposition alleges was rigged with Moscow’s help.
The party has vowed to continue pushing toward accession to the EU, but also wants to “reset” ties with Russia.
Critics have accused the Georgian Dream of becoming increasingly authoritarian and tilted toward Moscow, accusations the party has denied.
Georgian Dream’s decision last month to suspend talks on the country’s bid to join the EU added to the opposition’s outrage and galvanized protests.
“We reiterate our determination to support the democratic and European aspirations of the Georgian people,” Germany, France and Poland said in their joint statement.
Thousands of demonstrators have converged on the parliament building for weeks every night after the government announced the suspension of EU accession talks on Nov. 28.
Riot police used water cannons and tear gas almost daily to disperse and beat scores of protesters, some of whom threw fireworks at police officers and built barricades on the capital’s central boulevard. Hundreds were detained and more than 100 were treated for injuries.
