The Information Center on NATO and the European Union served as a useful tool to promote and inform the public about the benefits of the EU and NATO integration - these are further actions and steps in the wrong direction, - Anitta Hipper, EU Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said in response to a question from InterpressNews about how the European Union assesses the decision on the abolition of the Information Center on NATO and the European Union in Georgia.

“We took note of the announcement about the intention of the Georgian authorities to close the NATO and EU Information Centre, and to transmit the functions of the Centre to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In the past, the Centre served as a useful tool to promote and inform the public about the benefits of the EU and NATO integration.

We also note that the announced closure coincides with other measures taken by the Georgian authorities to limit engagement with the EU, including the ongoing reorganisation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and reported dismissals of many of its employees.

These are further actions and steps in the wrong direction. The EU will continue applying measures - downgraded political contacts, stopped direct assistance to Georgian authorities, suspended visa free travel for Georgian diplomats, officials and their families holding diplomatic and official passports - and further support civil society”, Anitta Hipper said.