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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania strongly condemns the use of force by the Georgian authorities against the peaceful protestors in Tbilisi, as witnessed during the last two days.

The large-scale protests by the Georgian people in Tbilisi and other Georgian cities ensued following the Parliamentary elections of 26 October and, in particular, the announcement by Irakli Kobakhidze on November 28 not to pursue the opening of the EU accession negotiations and to reject any EU financial assistance until 2028.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania is deeply disappointed with such an announcement by the Georgian Dream representative. In the context of the said Parliamentary elections that were marked with numerous incidents, systemic violations and irregularities, and the final report about which is still to be published by ODIHR, major policy changes contravening the European aspirations of the Georgian people and the norms of the Constitution of Georgia sound premature. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania reiterates its call for an independent international investigation of numerous violations, pressure and intimidation on voters impacting public trust in the electoral process and its outcome, as reported by independent observers and supports the call by the European Parliament to re-run the Georgian parliamentary elections as soon as possible.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs notes with grave concern the repeated and growing violence and intimidation against Georgian civil society and the free media. We urge the Georgian authorities to cease this violence immediately and guarantee the freedom of assembly and freedom of expression for the people in Georgia, in line with Georgia’s international commitments. Laws adopted in contradiction with these commitments must be repealed. All those responsible for violence, election fraud and attacks against democratic values and principles must be brought to account.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania calls on the Georgian government to reverse the current course of action and to uphold the rule of law, democracy and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as the European values and principles. We will continue following the situation in Georgia closely and, together with our partners, will work towards strong European and international response.  

Lithuania will continue supporting European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations of the Georgian people.