The European Union will discuss "additional measures" in response to the events in Georgia on December 16, the European Commission informed.
"For almost two weeks, the Georgian people have been defending their democratic and European aspirations, facing brutal, illegal police force," said Anita Hipper, spokesperson for the European Commission's foreign relations and security policy, in a statement on December 10.
According to the statement, the European Union condemns "repressive actions against protesters, media representatives and opposition leaders and demands the immediate release of all those arrested."
The European Union calls on the ruling "Georgian Dream" to stop "widespread intimidation, political persecution, alleged torture and ill-treatment of citizens".
"We call on "Georgian Dream" to soften and put an end to this situation, which is a great price for the Georgian people. Violence is not an answer to the demands of the protesters regarding the democratic and European future of Georgia," the statement said.
According to the spokesperson of the European Commission, the actions of "Georgian Dream" caused the suspension of the European integration process of Georgia. "Continued democratic backsliding and the government's recent use of repressive measures will have consequences for our bilateral relations."
Hipper confirmed that the EU foreign ministers will discuss the issue of Georgia at the ministerial meeting scheduled for December 16 and decide on "additional measures".
On December 9, Pavel Herchinsky, the ambassador of the European Union to Georgia, also spoke about this problem. According to him, the recent developments in Georgia require the application of sanctions by the European Union. Herchinsky also said that suspension of the visa-free regime is one of the retaliatory measures.
Source: Panorama.am
