A few weeks ago, the Georgian government lost some 30 million euros of EU financial support for the country’s Defence Ministry. The EU decided to freeze them in response to Tbilisi’s adoption of a new law on registering NGOs. Moreover, Georgia’s European Union accession bid has also frozen.
Today, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced in a statement on Wednesday that the United States has suspended $95 million in aid to the Georgian government following a review of bilateral cooperation prompted by “undemocratic” actions by the authorities in Tbilisi.
“On May 23, after antidemocratic actions by the Georgian government, I announced a comprehensive review of bilateral cooperation between the United States and Georgia,” said Secretary Blinken.
As a result of that review, the United States is pausing more than $95 million in assistance that directly benefits the Government of Georgia.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, “The Georgian government’s antidemocratic actions and false statements are incompatible with membership norms in the EU and NATO.” However, he added that “while we are pausing our assistance to the Government of Georgia due to those actions, the United States will continue assistance to programs and activities that benefit the people of Georgia by strengthening democracy, rule of law, independent media, and economic development.”
The Secretary of State stressed that the US “will remain committed to the Georgian people and their Euro-Atlantic aspirations,” reassuring the audience about the US’s continued support for Georgia’s future.
Starting August 1, Georgia will begin registering “foreign agents” under a new law. Critics argue that this law will allow authorities to dismantle civil society and establish an authoritarian government similar to Russia’s, representing a departure from Western standards. Georgian officials aim to promote “transparency and defend sovereignty.”
Today’s decision of the US means Georgia will lose a considerable source of aid funds in the future. As Secretary Blinken stated, for more than 32 years of US-Georgia relationship and partnership, “the people of the United States have provided over $6.2 billion in assistance, contributing to the development and strengthening of Georgia’s economy and democratic institutions”. This loss of aid could have significant implications for the country’s economic and democratic progress.
Secretary Blinken added, “Our support has helped equip and train Georgia’s Defense Forces and Coast Guard, built schools and hospitals, and trained teachers, civil servants, and medical professionals.”
