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Georgia Halts EU Membership Talks Until 2028, Rejects EU Grants

Nov 28, 2024, 02:21 PM

Georgia's Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has announced that the country will not pursue opening negotiations with the European Union for EU membership until the end of 2028. This decision comes in response to the European Parliament's resolution, which was passed with 444 votes in favor, 72 against, and 82 abstentions, rejecting the results of Georgia's October parliamentary elections due to significant irregularities and democratic backsliding under the Georgian Dream party. The resolution also urged personal sanctions on Georgian government representatives and called for new elections to be held within a year. In addition to halting EU accession talks, Kobakhidze stated that Georgia will refuse any EU budget grants until 2028. Critics argue that this move could lead to the collapse of sectors of the Georgian economy and the loss of trade agreements and visa-free regimes.