TALLINN - Thursday’s decision by Georgia’s ruling party revealed that the Georgian Dream aims to gain control over the country by lying and intimidation and align Georgia with Russia instead of the European Union, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said on Friday.
"Democracy has been backsliding in Georgia for a while now, with the so-called foreign agents’ law and the so-called law to protect the traditional family among the most notable examples. Additionally, the elections held a month ago could not be called neither free not fair due to the amount and gravity of violations. Yesterday’s decision by Georgia’s ruling party was the final step and proof that they have lied to the people of Georgia, mainly to their voters, who hoped and believed that the country would move towards the European Union during the rule of Georgian Dream," the minister said.
According to him, 80 percent of the people of Georgia want their country to join the European Union.
"To voice their views, thousands of people came to the streets again yesterday. It is absolutely unacceptable that the Georgian authorities used violence against the protesters, including pepper spray, water cannons and acoustic equipment," Tsahkna said.
"The European Union halted Georgia’s accession process and financial support this summer, adding it was possible that it would continue if Georgia decided to return to the path of democracy. Unfortunately, Georgian Dream made a different decision. Estonia has reduced its high-level contacts with Georgia and stopped supporting development cooperation in projects connected to the Georgian government; however, we continue to support Georgia’s civil society," the minister added.
"We find that the way Georgian authorities are treating their people and destroying democracy also calls for a response from the European Union," Tsahkna said.
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