US suspends strategic partnership with Georgia
(VOVWORLD) - The United States suspended its strategic partnership with Georgia on Saturday, condemning the country’s decision to pause its efforts toward accession to the European Union amid unprecedented protests against the move.
 Georgian police use water cannons, tear gas and pepper spray to quell demonstrations in Tbilisi, Georgia, November 30, 2024. (Source: New York Times) |
On Thursday, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced his refusal to start negotiations on accession to the European Union until 2028, after the European Parliament criticized the country’s recent election.
“We also refuse any budget grants from the European Union until the end of 2028,” he said. The PM stated that while Georgia aims to become a member, it should do so under fair conditions.
Thousands of protesters poured onto the streets in the days since, with sources on the ground saying that part of the Georgian parliament building had caught on fire Saturday night. Georgian police have been quick to clamp down, using water cannons, tear gas and pepper spray to quell demonstrations.
Meanwhile, Georgian President Salome Zourabishvili said that she does not intend to give up her mandate. The presidential election is scheduled for mid-December, and it will be the first time that the parliament will hold an election.