Instead of getting closer, Georgia is drifting away from the European Union, said the German Ambassador to Georgia, Peter Fischer, in a statement to journalists.

"Germany has imposed additional restrictions on Georgian individuals whom we hold responsible for human rights violations against demonstrators," Peter Fischer said.

According to the ambassador, German laws on personal data protection prohibit the disclosure of the identities of the sanctioned individuals.

Peter Fischer also responded to a question about Georgia's EU membership process.

"Since December 2023, Georgia has had candidate status. The European Union granted this status to Georgia, which is one of the greatest gifts the EU can offer for membership. You have this invitation, but since June of last year, the work on Georgia's candidate status has been suspended because Georgia, instead of getting closer, is drifting away from the EU. So, you still have candidate status, but now nothing is happening," said the German ambassador to Georgia.

When asked who is responsible for the suspension of the EU membership process, the ambassador replied, "The government of Georgia. Always the government of the candidate country, nothing else is possible."