The News in Brief
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Prepared by Messenger Staff
Estonian Foreign Minister Warns of Consequences for Georgia's EU Membership Aspirations
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna issued a warning to the Georgian government regarding its EU membership prospects, stating that no further steps will be taken unless the government changes its behavior and repeals the controversial law on 'Foreign Agents'. Tsahkna made the remarks to reporters ahead of the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting.
"The first, very important message is that there will be no further steps regarding Georgia's EU membership unless its government changes its behavior, unless its government repeals the law on foreign agents," Tsahkna said.
He also mentioned that the council would discuss various measures affecting Georgia, including the potential prohibition of Schengen visas for high-level officials and other support funds. "So, the situation regarding Georgia is serious, and all this responsibility rests with the Georgian authorities, because the Georgian people support the path to the European Union," Tsahkna emphasized.
Public Defender Levan Ioseliani Reports Improvement in Mikheil Saakashvili's Condition
Public Defender Levan Ioseliani provided an update on the health of former President Mikheil Saakashvili following his visit to the VivaMedi clinic, where Saakashvili is currently held. Ioseliani noted that Saakashvili's physical condition has improved compared to his previous visit but did not discuss specific health details.
"I can't talk about Mikheil Saakashvili's health, although if we compare him physically with what I found during the previous visit, he looks much better today," Ioseliani told journalists. He also clarified that there was no discussion about Saakashvili's return to the penitentiary, as this decision is outside his and the clinic's authority.
Ioseliani emphasized that his visit was part of a routine check on the health conditions of all prisoners at the clinic. He reported that Saakashvili expressed gratitude for the Public Defender's ongoing monitoring of his condition.
"It was a short meeting. He thanked the Office of the Public Defender for regularly monitoring his condition throughout the year and providing information about it to the public," Ioseliani said.
Ioseliani also mentioned that no special requests were made by Saakashvili or other prisoners during his visit, and he noted that timely transfers to treatment facilities are sometimes delayed, a concern reflected in the Public Defender's report.
Estonian Foreign Minister Warns of Consequences for Georgia's EU Membership Aspirations
"The first, very important message is that there will be no further steps regarding Georgia's EU membership unless its government changes its behavior, unless its government repeals the law on foreign agents," Tsahkna said.
He also mentioned that the council would discuss various measures affecting Georgia, including the potential prohibition of Schengen visas for high-level officials and other support funds. "So, the situation regarding Georgia is serious, and all this responsibility rests with the Georgian authorities, because the Georgian people support the path to the European Union," Tsahkna emphasized.
Public Defender Levan Ioseliani Reports Improvement in Mikheil Saakashvili's Condition
"I can't talk about Mikheil Saakashvili's health, although if we compare him physically with what I found during the previous visit, he looks much better today," Ioseliani told journalists. He also clarified that there was no discussion about Saakashvili's return to the penitentiary, as this decision is outside his and the clinic's authority.
Ioseliani emphasized that his visit was part of a routine check on the health conditions of all prisoners at the clinic. He reported that Saakashvili expressed gratitude for the Public Defender's ongoing monitoring of his condition.
"It was a short meeting. He thanked the Office of the Public Defender for regularly monitoring his condition throughout the year and providing information about it to the public," Ioseliani said.
Ioseliani also mentioned that no special requests were made by Saakashvili or other prisoners during his visit, and he noted that timely transfers to treatment facilities are sometimes delayed, a concern reflected in the Public Defender's report.