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EU Ambassador to Georgia Pavlo Gerchynskyi said that the events of the last 12 days in the country are "absolutely incompatible with the relations that the European Union had with Georgia", and Brussels is already discussing "all measures" against the Georgian authorities.
This was reported by Sova, Ukrinform reports.
"All measures are on the table. For many years, relations with the European Union were privileged in Georgia. We offered Georgia an association agreement, a free trade agreement, and an agreement on visa-free travel. In the end, Georgia was granted the status of a candidate for membership," Herchynskyi said.
The European diplomat also commented on the issue of possible sanctions against Georgia, but noted that this requires the unanimity of the 27 EU member states.
"I know that work is underway to prepare sanctions. I think, I hope, that it is difficult for any EU capital to ignore the level of violence, the level of brutality. Let's see if the sanctions will be submitted on Monday, the preparatory work is really underway," Herchynskyi said.
In particular, as Ekho Kavkaza writes, the European Union may decide to suspend the visa-free regime with Georgia "for certain categories of passports," Gerchinskyi said. The diplomat added that already on December 16, the leaders of EU member states can make certain decisions regarding Georgia.
"Of course, the main topic of discussion will be cases of brutal violence, which is unacceptable. (High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy - Ed.) Kaya Kallas said that everything will be answered," Gerchynskyi said.
We remind you that since November 28, protests have been taking place every day in Georgia. They were provoked by the statement of Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze about the suspension of negotiations on the country's accession to the EU until 2028. According to the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs, more than 400 people were detained during the actions.
It is also known about attacks on journalists - on December 7, "titushki" attacked the film crew of the opposition TV Pirveli - journalist Maka Chikhladze and her cameraman Georgiy Shetsyruli, later an attack was made on the journalist of the opposition television channel Formula TV Guram Rohav. In total, more than 56 journalists were reported to have been injured to varying degrees during the protests in Tbilisi.
Also, "aunties" near the office of the "For Change" coalition beat party member Koba Khabazi, and also physically abused another party member.
It became known about the beating of the actor Georgy Maharadze.
In connection with these offenses, the British government announced that it would suspend all aid programs to Georgia, limit defense cooperation and interaction with the Georgian government.
The Baltic countries imposed sanctions against the founder of the ruling pro-Russian party "Georgian Dream" Bidzina Ivanishvili and the leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for suppressing the protests. Ukraine also added Ivanishvili and 19 other people to the list of sanctions. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that the United States is ready to introduce sanctions against Georgia for violent actions against supporters of European integration.
Photo from the website sovanews.tv
