EU warns Georgia against oppressing opposition

European External Action Service spokesman Peter Stano said the EU is concerned about statements by the Georgian Prime Minister and other officials from the ruling Georgian Dream party regarding the ban on opposition parties.

"The current course of action jeopardizes Georgia's path to the European Union, which de facto puts the accession process on hold. The European Commission is closely monitoring the rhetoric and developments in Georgia and is ready to respond accordingly. However, the door to membership remains open if Tbilisi decides to adapt to the values ​​and norms of the European Union and reverse the negative trends of recent months," Stano said.

German Ambassador to Georgia Peter Fischer noted that joining the European Union is a legal process.

"This is not just about feelings or history. If a country adopts laws that contradict the fundamental principles of the European Union, it will not be able to join the European Union," Fischer stressed.

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze previously stated that the ban on opposition parties would not be an obstacle to Georgia's accession to the EU.

Последние новости
Former senator Rauf Arashukov, sentenced to life imprisonment, has requested a transfer to his father's prison colony
Society
Former senator Rauf Arashukov, sentenced to life imprisonment, has requested a transfer to his father's prison colony
18 March 2026

Former Federation Council member Rauf Arashukov from the Karachay-Cherkess Republic, serving a life sentence in the Black Dolphin prison colony in Orenburg, expressed a desire to be transferred to a prison colony in Mordovia. The reason for this transfer is the fact that his father, Raul Arashukov, is also serving a life sentence there for stealing gas and organizing two murders.

The defense team for a Crimean Tatar political prisoner suffering from brain cancer is seeking his release
Human rights
The defense team for a Crimean Tatar political prisoner suffering from brain cancer is seeking his release
18 March 2026

The health of political prisoner Tofik Abdulgaziyev, who suffers from brain cancer, tuberculosis, and other serious illnesses, continues to deteriorate. His wife, Aliye Kurtametova, reported that his situation is "extremely critical" and recalled unsuccessful requests for assistance in similar cases.

Four regions of the North Caucasus Federal District have declared holidays to celebrate Eid al-Fitr
Society
Four regions of the North Caucasus Federal District have declared holidays to celebrate Eid al-Fitr
18 March 2026

Eid al-Fitr, one of the key Islamic holidays that concludes Ramadan, will begin on the night of March 19-20. Most republics of the North Caucasus Federal District have declared the holiday non-working.

Azerbaijan reminded Iran of the investigation into the drone attack on Nakhchivan
Politics
Azerbaijan reminded Iran of the investigation into the drone attack on Nakhchivan
18 March 2026

A telephone conversation took place between the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Iran, Jeyhun Bayramov and Seyyed Abbas Araghchi. Bayramov insisted that Tehran fulfill its promise to investigate the drone attacks launched from its territory on the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.