Further discussion on sanctions on those responsible for Georgian Dream’s democratic backsliding and human rights violation continue, European Commission lead spokeswoman Anitta Hipper said at the briefing.

Hipper’s response came after a journalist asked how the EU would respond to the Georgian Dream’s “growing and ongoing repression.”

“Unfortunately, what you are mentioning is part of the very unfortunate steady course that the Georgian Dream has taken towards a very repressive regime, towards protesters, journalists, civil society, and all the free voices out there speaking for democracy. What we have done so far, it has been to react consistently, be it at political level. We have downgraded to the political contacts, but we have also stopped the direct assistance to the Georgian authorities, amounting to over 120 million, we have also put on hold 30 million support measures to the European peace facility, and no further support has been planned in 2025. So this is just some of the points. Of course, on the home affairs side, the council has suspended the visa free travel for the Georgian diplomats, officials and also their families, for the diplomatic and official passports and further discussion on sanctions on those responsible for Georgian Dream’s democratic backsliding and human rights violation continue”, she said.