Slovak PM condemns proposed EU sanctions against Georgia

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has strongly opposed the prospect of European Union sanctions against Georgia, describing them as an unacceptable intervention in the country’s internal affairs.

Speaking after a phone conversation with European Council President António Costa, Fico emphasized the need for a balanced approach to the issue, Caliber.Az reports via Georgian media.

"We call for an objective assessment of the current situation in Georgia. Any consideration of intervening in Georgia's internal affairs through the introduction of sanctions is a red line for us," he said.

The EU’s foreign ministers discussed the possibility of sanctions during a meeting on 16 October. However, both Slovakia and Hungary vetoed the proposal, blocking the required unanimous approval needed to impose such measures.

Meanwhile, Hungary's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Péter Szijjártó, stated following the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting that "sanctions cannot be imposed on a country simply because it has decided to postpone EU accession talks until 2028."

He also emphasized that "no one in Brussels has the right to question the will of the Georgian people," who, in parliamentary elections, chose a "conservative, peace-oriented, patriotic" party rather than the liberal forces supported by Brussels.

"The European Union has set a world record for political hypocrisy regarding Georgia," Szijjártó remarked, adding that he in no way endorsed the condescending attitude towards Georgia that prevailed during the meeting.

Szijjártó also mentioned, citing Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Bochorishvili, who made her first foreign visit to Budapest, that around 40 police officers were injured during the protests in Tbilisi. Therefore, it would be inaccurate to speak solely of the harsh suppression of unrest, as there were also "aggressive elements" among the protesters.

In contrast, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas announced, following the meeting of EU foreign ministers, that member states had agreed on visa restrictions for holders of Georgian official and diplomatic passports due to the situation in the country.

A corresponding proposal from the European Commission is expected before the end of the year.

By Aghakazim Guliyev