Moscow, Dec 13 (UNI) EU leaders are expected to discuss the situation in Georgia at the European Council summit next week, with all options for response to the recent “democratic backsliding” remaining on the table, European Commission spokesman Stefan de Keersmaecker said on Friday.
“We expect that Georgia’s situation and the enlargement process will be discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council on the 16th of December and by the EU leaders at the European Council next week. We have already taken measures in response to the serious democratic backsliding of the past month and we will consider additional measures, all options remain on the table,” the spokesman told a midday briefing.
A new wave of opposition protests rocked Georgia in the past two weeks after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said that the Georgian government had decided not to pursue the opening of EU accession negotiations and reject EU financial support until 2028. The Georgian State Security Service claimed on Tuesday that protests were being coordinated by state actors from abroad in an effort to disrupt the December 14 presidential election.