The Embassy of Germany and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development respond to the decision to suspend planned projects worth 237 million EUR for the Georgian government.
According to the released information, the suspended projects include funding for the development of a green hydrogen economy in Georgia, the modernization of water infrastructure in Batumi, and the expansion of energy networks in Georgia.
“This is Germany's Minister for Development Svenia Schulze's further response to the Georgian government's deviation from the path of EU integration and the use of force against pro-European mass demonstrations. The suspended projects include funding for the development of a green hydrogen economy in Georgia, the modernization of water infrastructure in Batumi, and the expansion of energy networks in Georgia.
A significant part of Germany's development policy in Georgia aimed at advancing the country’s EU integration, which is also enshrined in Georgia’s constitution. The Georgian government has de facto ceased to pursue this goal. Meanwhile, human rights are systematically violated in efforts to suppress mass protests against government policies.
For this reason, the Federal Ministry for Development decided on December 3rd to withhold approval for new cooperation projects with Georgia in the development field and suspend cooperation with the Georgian government on a probationary basis. The suspension of projects worth 237 million euros is the first decision stemming from this reevaluation of relations.
The review of other ongoing projects is not yet complete. However, projects that will bring more benefits to the pro-European population and allow for continued progress toward EU integration, even under the current conditions, must continue. Following the adoption of the so-called "Transparency Law," Germany began offering additional support measures to civil society organizations in the summer of 2024. This includes legal consultations, cybersecurity training, and psychosocial support. Germany's Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Svenia Schulze, has urged the Georgian government to cease violence against the population and return to the constitutionally established path of EU integration,” the statement reads.
