MEPs Address EU High Representative Joseph Borrell on Situation in Georgia
By Liza Mchedlidze
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Four Members of the European Parliament have addressed the EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Affairs, Joseph Borrell, regarding the situation in Georgia. In their letter, they expressed concern about recent events in Georgia, particularly the potential swift adoption of "Foreign Agents" law. They emphasized the importance of supporting Georgia's pro-European population.
The MEPs posed urgent questions to Mr. Borrell regarding the EU's response to these developments. They inquired whether the High Representative will propose immediate imposition of targeted restrictive measures against specific individuals, including Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, and Parliament Charman Shalva Papuashvili, as well as against all Members of the Georgian Parliament who vote in favor of the law. They also inquired about the potential suspension of high-level engagement with the Georgian government and the withholding of EU accession negotiations until the law is repealed.
Furthermore, the MEPs asked whether Mr. Borrell is committed to summoning the Ambassador of Georgia to the EU to express the EU's condemnation of the law and convey the intention to take the aforementioned measures. They also inquired whether recalling the EU ambassador for consultations will be considered as a response to the situation in Georgia.
"Dear Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative for Foreign and Security Affairs, Mr Josep Borrell i Fontelles,
In view of the events in Georgia this morning, the possible swift final adoption of the law on transparency of foreign influence and the need to support Georgia's free pro-European people we want to ask you the following urgent questions: Will the HR/VP, ahead of the 27 May Foreign Affairs Council, propose immediate imposition of targeted restrictive measures against Mr Ivanishvili, Mr Kobakhidze, and Mr Papuashvili, as well as imposition of such measures against all Members of the Parliament of Georgia who vote in favour of the law on transparency of foreign influence (hereinafter: 'the law') and the repeal of any potential veto thereof issued by the President of Georgia, to go into effect immediately following the final binding vote?
Will the HR/VP and the Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement instruct the EEAS and DG NEAR, respectively, to suspend any high-level engagement with the government of Georgia the objective of which is not to repeal the law, including by reallocating financial support to strengthening Georgia's civil society, and to refrain from opening EU accession negotiations for as long as the law is in force?
Does the HR/VP commit to summoning, upon adoption of the law, the Ambassador of Georgia to the EU in order to express the EU's condemnation and convey his intention to take the above measures and will recalling the EU ambassador for consultations be considered?"
The letter addressed to EU High Representative Joseph Borrell is signed by Viola von Cramon-Taubadel from the Greens/EFA group, Petras Austrevicius from the Renew group, and Miriam Lexmann from the EPP (European People's Party).
