TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian Orthodox Church has expressed serious concern about recent EU recommendations, warning they contradict verbal and written assurances made during earlier talks with Georgia’s religious leadership. According to a statement released by the Patriarchate, the Church is alarmed by proposed demands that Georgia repeal legislation “on the protection of the sanctity of the … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has compared the EU’s recent criticism of his government’s policies to medieval persecution. According to Interpressnews, Kobakhidze said: “Giordano Bruno was burned at the stake for affirming that the Earth revolves. Today, people are being ‘burned’ for believing that a man is a man and a woman is a … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has declared that peace and stability take precedence over retaining visa-free travel to Europe, rejecting a demand to cancel several laws considered anti-European by Brussels. “If the choice is between peace and stability, or visa liberalization, we will choose peace and stability,” he said. “Going to Europe with or … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has declared that peace and stability take precedence over retaining visa-free travel to Europe, rejecting a demand to cancel several laws considered anti-European by Brussels. “If the choice is between peace and stability, or visa liberalization, we will choose peace and stability,” he said. “Going to Europe with or … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–The European Union has issued its starkest warning yet to Tbilisi: fulfill key democratic conditions or face suspension of visa-free travel. The ultimatum, delivered by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, puts unprecedented pressure on Georgia’s ruling party just months ahead of local elections. “All options are on the table, including suspension of the … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–The Speaker of Georgia’s Parliament has accused European Union-funded organizations of preparing to disrupt the country’s upcoming local elections. Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili said Tuesday that“organizations funded by the EU embassy are preparing to disrupt the local elections.” He further claimed that the groups’s activities amount to a violation of international law and warned … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s ruling party, Georgian Dream (GD), is rejecting claims that it supported a critical resolution passed by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Porto on July 3. The resolution, which includes a condemnation of democratic backsliding in Georgia, calls for the release of political prisoners and the holding of new elections. Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s ruling party, Georgian Dream (GD), is rejecting claims that it supported a critical resolution passed by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Porto on July 3. The resolution, which includes a condemnation of democratic backsliding in Georgia, calls for the release of political prisoners and the holding of new elections. Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Foreign Ministry is facing criticism following a wave of dismissals that appear to target pro-Western diplomats. Dozens of employees, many of them having decades of service, have reportedly been let go in recent days. Most were working on bringing the country closer to NATO and the EU. Some had also signed a November … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–When foreign ministers from EU member countries meet in Luxembourg on Monday, three of the topics on their agenda are about Georgia: the rise in anti-EU disinformation, possible sanctions over alleged human rights violations, and whether to suspend Georgia’s visa-waiver program to the Schengen Area. Georgia has enjoyed visa-free travel to the EU since … Read more