Month: December 2024
In their first Georgia statements since the confirmation of the new EU commission, High Representative Kaja Kallas and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed regret over Georgian Dream’s recent decision to halt the EU accession process.
“The European Union regrets Irakli Kobakhidze’s statement on the Georgian Dream’s decision not to pursue the opening of EU accession negotiations and rejecting EU financial support until 2028,” read a joint December 1 statement by HR/VP Kaja Kallas and Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos. “We note that this announcement marks a shift from the policies of all previous Georgian governments and the European aspirations of the vast majority of the Georgian people, as enshrined in the Constitution of Georgia.”
Condemning violence against peaceful protesters in ongoing Tbilisi rallies, HR/VP Kallas and Commissioner Kos warned the Georgian government’s actions “have direct consequences” on the relationship with the EU.
“The EU reiterates its serious concerns about the continuous democratic backsliding of the country, including the irregularities which took place in the run up and during the recent Parliamentary elections,” the two EU officials say, adding that “the EU is looking forward to the OSCE/ODIHR final report and its recommendations” in this context.
The EU officials recall that “the Georgian authorities’ course of actions and democratic backsliding” led to the “de facto halt of the accession process in June,” and that EU financial assistance directly benefiting the Georgian authorities “is currently on hold.”
“Georgian authorities must respect the right to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression, and refrain from using force against peaceful protesters, politicians and media representatives,” HR/VP Kallas and Commissioner Kos say, calling to investigate “all acts of violence” and hold those responsible accountable.
“The EU stands with the Georgian people and their choice for a European future,” the statement reads. “The door to the EU remains open and the return of Georgia to the European values and the EU accession path is in the hands of the Georgian leadership.”
In a separate statement published on X, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also expressed regret over “Georgian leadership’s shift away from the EU and its values.”
“The EU stands with the people of Georgia and their choice for a European future,” von der Leyen said. “The door to the EU remains open. The return of Georgia on the EU path is in the hands of the Georgian leadership.”
The statements follow the Georgian Dream’s November 28 announcement about halting the EU accession process, and subsequent mass protests to which the authorities responded with police brutality, with dozens of protesters injured and arrested.
The crisis follows the disputed October parliamentary 26 elections, in which various missions have found mounting evidence of fraud and the results of which have yet to be recognized by the majority of Western countries.
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Irakli Kobakhidze held a briefing to reiterate his party’s key talking points in response to massive protests following the Georgian Dream’s decision to halt the EU accession process.
Kobakhidze claimed Georgia did not halt the accession and said if the EU “put the opening of [accession] talks on the table, I will sign it today.” He responded to EU Ambassador Pawel Herczynski’s briefing by declaring “action instead of blackmail!” and accusing the Ambassador of being “involved in the disinformation campaign led by the radical opposition and NGOs and media they own.”
- On GD talking points, read also: As Protest Mounts, GD Leadership Grapples to Manage Fallout.
Kobakhidze was proclaimed prime minister by the rump GD parliament, which is considered by many as illegitimate after the fraudulent October 26 elections. His announcement to halt accession triggered public outrage. The government responded with excessive police force to the protests across Georgia.
Still, Kobakhidze insists, “Not only are we not halting the European integration process, but we’re stepping up our efforts to ensure Georgia’s membership in the EU by 2030.”
U.S.-Georgian Relations
Asked about relations with the United States, which on November 30 declared the suspension of the strategic partnership with Georgia, Kobakhidze said it was a “temporary event” explained by internal U.S. politics.
“The still incumbent administration is trying to leave as hard a legacy as possible to the successor Trump administration; that’s what they are doing with Ukraine, and now they are doing it with Georgia as well,” Kobakhidze said, adding that this cannot have a “principal importance” and they will wait for a new administration. “We will talk about everything with the new administration.”
Asked if the Georgian government had communicated with the incoming administration, Kobakhidze said, “There has been indirect communication from our side, and we are waiting for direct communication.”
According to Kobakhidze, Tbilisi will wait for Trump’s inauguration on January 20 and hopes that “this fact will qualitatively change the relations between Georgia and the United States of America, as well as between Georgia and the EU,” adding that the problems with the incumbent US administration “were directly reflected in the relations between Georgia and the EU.”
Asked about the positions of a senior Republican Congressman, Joe Wilson, who has been highly critical of GD and called for sanctioning Ivanishvili, Kobakhidze said that the Trump administration is what matters and everything else is secondary. “It will be as Trump says.”
Ongoing Protests
Kobakhidze also commented on the protests in Tbilisi in recent days, claiming that the “most serious systemic violence” was perpetrated by “violent groups and their foreign instructors.” He thanked police officers and Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri for handling the protests and meeting “higher standards” than in Europe and America.
Using the amalgamation of Ukraine’s 2013 maidan with a pejorative term for the United National Movement, he said, “The day before yesterday, everyone saw that there would be no NatsMaidan in Georgia, while yesterday was the beginning of the end of liberal fascism in Georgia. ” He also warned that any offense would be met with the “full severity of the law.”
“Neither will the politicians, who themselves hide in their offices and leave the members of their violent groups to face harsh punishment, escape responsibility,” Kobakhidze said.
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This week saw journalists from “AbzasMedia” exposing poor conditions and violations at Baku Detention Facility, while Alasgar Mammadli requested house arrest due to health issues, and the date for Azerbaijan’s municipal elections was announced for January 29, 2025.
Conditions and Violations at the Baku Detention Facility Revealed in Open Letter by Journalists
Three journalists from “AbzasMedia” – Sevinc Vaqifqızı, Nargiz Absalamova, and Elnara Qasımova – currently detained in Baku Detention Facility No. 1, have written an open letter exposing the poor conditions there. They describe overcrowding, with women forced to sleep on the floor or share beds, leading to injuries. They also highlight the lack of basic necessities, including proper bedding, clothing, and hygiene products, which are supposed to be provided by the state but are either missing or substandard.
The journalists also point out that the second floor of the facility, which holds 170 women, has several cells being used for non-prison purposes, such as punishment cells or kitchens for guards. Despite regulations requiring detainees to receive appropriate bedding and personal items, the women are only given poor-quality goods. The food provided is also criticized for being insufficient and of low quality.
Finally, the journalists report that detainees are not receiving the clothing and hygiene items mandated by government regulations. Although a contract was signed with a supplier for these products, they are either never delivered or go missing in the facility, raising questions about resource mismanagement and the handling of funds allocated for detainee care.
Alasgar Mammadli Unsuccesfully Requests House Arrest
Alasgar Mammadli, a media expert from “Toplum TV,” has been in detention for nine months and has appealed for house arrest due to serious health issues, including a thyroid tumor requiring urgent surgery. In his court statement, he emphasized the negative impact his detention has on his family, particularly his two children’s education and well-being.
Mammadli argued that house arrest would not interfere with the investigation and that he had legal grounds for the request. He noted his public service record and denied any intention to obstruct the legal process. However, the Baku City Police Department opposed the request, citing the risk of Mammadli fleeing or hindering the investigation. Judge Akhundov rejected the appeal.
Mammadli believes his detention is politically motivated, part of an effort to silence independent media. The case involves accusations of smuggling, with the detainees claiming the evidence against them was fabricated. His lawyers plan to appeal the court’s decision.
Azerbaijan goes to the polls again
Municipal elections in Azerbaijan have been scheduled for January 29, 2025, as announced by the Central Election Commission on November 27.
On October 18, 2024, the Milli Majlis (National Assembly) discussed a draft law to amend the “Law on Municipalities’ Territories and Lands,” reducing the number of municipalities from 1,400 to 685. This change was approved by the Milli Majlis and signed into law by President Ilham Aliyev on November 25.
Azerbaijan has held five municipal elections so far, in 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014, and 2019, with the most recent one on December 23, 2019. According to the Election Code, municipal elections are held every five years, typically in December. Some experts view the postponement of the 2025 elections as contrary to the law.
The post Azerbaijan’s Friday Wrap-Up: Parliamentary Election Date Set appeared first on MEYDAN.TV.
On December 1, Irakli Kobakhidze confirmed media reports that Davit Zalkaliani, Georgian ambassador to the United States, resigned. Zalkaliani served as Georgian Dream Foreign Minister from 2018 to 2022. Kobakhidze, chosen as prime minister by the rump Georgian Dream parliament, expressed solidarity with Zalkaliani, who he said was under “very great pressure from various sides.”
Kobakhidze also commented on reports of Deputy Foreign Minister Teimuraz Janjalia’s resignation, saying Janjalia was fired by newly appointed GD foreign minister Maka Botchorishvili.
Ambassadors to the United States, the Netherlands, and Bulgaria, as well as the acting ambassador to Italy, left their posts after Georgian Dream announced on November 28 that it was halting the EU accession process.
Also Read:
- 30/11/2024 – Georgian Ambassador to Lithuania Resigns
- 30/11/2024 – U.S. Suspends Strategic Partnership with Georgia
- 30/11/2024 – Georgian Ambassador to the Netherlands Resigns
- 29/11/2024 – Georgia’s Ambassador to Bulgaria Quits over GD’s EU-turn