Rasa Juknevičienė: Sanctions are important against people who commit crimes, they are afraid of sanctions, their families are afraid, because many of them live in Europe

Sanctions are important against people who commit crimes. They are afraid of sanctions, their families are afraid, because many of them live in Europe. Without this, there will be no new elections. Sanctions are the most powerful tool to help people have a European future, - MEP Rasa Juknevičienė said at the press conference held in the European Parliament with representatives of Georgian civil society.

According to her, EU member states are unable to impose sanctions because of Hungary’s resistance.

“The responsibility for sanctions lies with EU member states, of course, they change support, they stop financial support to the government and so on, but they cannot impose sanctions. The European Council tried to do this, but because of Hungary, which is very close to this regime, Hungary and Hungarian politicians are the best friends of the Georgian Dream, and they are blocking sanctions. This can only be achieved if more than 25 Member States impose sanctions on this regime. This is stated in our resolutions, we talk about it in the report and we will continue to talk about it. The United Kingdom is also speaking out on this issue, but I would like the United Kingdom to be more involved. The United States, the MEGOBARI Act, which was passed by the House of Representatives, also deals with sanctions. This is a very strong act from the United States. This act is now in the Senate and we hope that it will be passed as soon as possible.

During the recent visit of the Members of the European Parliament to Georgia, my message was that we see very clearly that sanctions are important against people who commit crimes. They are afraid of sanctions, their families are afraid, because many of them live in Europe. Without this, there will be no new elections. Sanctions are the most powerful tool to help people have a European future,” the MEP noted.