The United States has decided to suspend its strategic partnership with Georgia following the decision by the republic’s authorities to postpone negotiations on the country’s accession to the European Union.
The department noted that the ruling Georgian Dream party’s decision on EU membership contradicts the promise to the people of the republic, which is enshrined in the constitution, and makes the country “more vulnerable to the Kremlin.”
“The various anti-democratic actions of the Georgian Dream party violated the core principles of the US-Georgia strategic partnership, which was based on shared values and a commitment to democracy, the rule of law, civil society, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and efforts to combat corruption,” the State Department said according to press release.
The Foreign Ministry added that this is the reason why they suspended this mechanism. The US called on all participants in the protests in Georgia to ensure their peaceful conduct, and the country’s government to return to the Euro-Atlantic path.
According to Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze , this decision was dictated by the unacceptable actions of European politicians, who, as he put it, use grants and loans as a tool of blackmail. He also criticized the European Parliament for “years of insults” addressed to Georgia.
The refusal to negotiate with the EU caused sharp discontent among the pro-Western opposition, whose leaders called the authorities’ actions “a betrayal of national interests.” On November 30, Georgia’s ambassador to the United States, David Zalkaliani, decided to leave his post after the authorities’ decision to join the European Union.
