The sovereignty of Estonia and Lithuania is “the most limited across the EU”, said the Georgian government on Monday reacting to the sanctions imposed by the Baltic countries.
Lithuania and Estonia on Sunday announced sanctions on 17 more Georgian officials, including Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.
“It is widely known that Estonia and Lithuania are states whose sovereignty is presently the most limited across the EU, and whose Governments act on instructions from the administration of a foreign country, not in the interests of their own people,” reads the Georgian government’s statement on X.
The statement did not specify the “foreign country” in question.
“Unfortunately, despite 33 years of independence, the authorities of Lithuania and Estonia have yet to break free of the soviet mentality,” the Georgian government added.
It said it had the right to impose reciprocal measures on Estonia and Lithuania.
“However, because of respect for the Lithuanians and the Estonians, we believe it unreasonable to take said step. We have decided to remain in the mode of unilateral friendship with both states lest we, on our part, undermine the traditional friendship between the people of Georgia, Estonia, and Lithuania,” the statement said.
Statement by the Government of Georgia
— Georgian Government (@GovernmentGeo) December 16, 2024
As you know, the Governments of Lithuania and Estonia have made a decision to impose sanctions on about 20 representatives of Georgia’s authorities, including the Prime Minister of Georgia.
The Georgian authorities have the right and…
According to the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry, the sanctioned individuals, including the Georgian prime minister, are directly responsible for severe and systematic human rights abuses and curbs on fundamental freedoms in Georgia.
Earlier this month, Lithuania barred entry to Bidzina Ivanishvili, the billionaire founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party, and ten Georgian Interior Ministry officials.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has called for EU-level sanctions against Georgian government officials who are responsible for using force against protesters.
Saturday’s controversial presidential election in Georgia saw Mikheil Kavelashvili, a 53-year-old former footballer loyal to the ruling Georgian Dream party, secure a five-year term. For the first time, the president was not directly chosen by voters but by a 300-member electoral college.
Georgia has been in turmoil since Georgian Dream claimed victory in the disputed October 26 parliamentary elections. Opponents accuse the party of drifting toward authoritarianism and drawing the country closer to Russia’s sphere of influence.
A new wave of protests has been taking place across the country daily since Kobakhidze announced that Georgia is suspending EU accession talks until the end of 2028.
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