The situation in Georgia is a stark reminder that the path to EU membership is not easy and that setbacks can happen and they do happen. Such a statement made Marta Kos, the Commissioner for Enlargement addressing the Foreign Relations Committee in the European Parliament.

“The Georgian people’s choice for European integration was embedded in a constitutional commitment. They are taking to the streets night after night because they clearly wish to keep it.

The Commission has already withheld more than 100 million Euro of funding directly benefiting the Georgian authorities. We are looking into further reallocations. We have also proposed to partially suspend the EU-Georgia visa facilitation agreement so we can introduce visa requirements for holders of diplomatic service passports issued by Georgia. EU member states will vote on the proposal by the end of January.

At the same time, we continue to stand behind civil society organizations and independent media. 8.5 million Euro have already been reallocated to them. We are also ready to reallocate an additional 7 million Euro to communication activities”, - said Marta Kos.