Lithuania’s Foreign Minister: We must act now and prepare sanctions against those individuals who were involved in the detention of Georgian opposition leaders

“We must act now and prepare sanctions against those individuals who were involved in the detention of opposition political leaders,” – said Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys to journalists in Brussels ahead of the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting.

According to him, the situation in Georgia is deteriorating.

“We are seeing that the situation in Georgia is getting worse, and a lack of action on our part only further fuels it. That is why we must act immediately and prepare sanctions against those involved in the detention of opposition political leaders. We see the criminal cases brought against them, and this is completely unacceptable. Our response must include sanctions, pressure on the regime, and political isolation,” Budrys stated.

He also noted that the European Union should respond to the situation in Georgia by increasing support for civil society.

“We continue to see that the overwhelming majority of the Georgian population wants EU membership. In my own country as well, over 60% of the Lithuanian population wants to see Georgia become part of the European Union. There are obligations on both sides – Georgia must uphold human rights standards, and European countries have an obligation to support Georgia as much as possible. This is the course of action we must continue,” said the Lithuanian Foreign Minister.