“Georgia is something today everybody will be discussing. There are concrete decisions to be taken. I propose to stop supporting an important part of the programs that go to the government. More than 100 million euros will be frozen and instead of being allocated to the government will be allocated to the civil society organizations”, stated Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
“So we’ll take this money, about 100 million, and give the money to civil society organizations in order to support them in their fight for a fair election. The people of Georgia will be continuously supported by the European Union. The process of accession is being put on hold, it is stopped until the Georgian government gets back on track. To go back to the track, a lot of things have to change. And in the meantime, we will use the money that was allocated to the government for the people who are fighting for their freedom,” he stated.
Borrell also called for a thorough investigation into allegations of election irregularities, stressing the importance of accountability.
“Certainly, there have to be investigations. What has happened has to be fully assessed. You cannot say that the elections were not free and fair and not investigate that. We started, since the beginning, asking the government to clarify everything related to the complaints of the people. So, obviously, it has to be an investigation and it has to be the accountability,” he added.
The European Union Foreign Affairs Council is meeting in Brussels.
