The Minister said that Brussels should also change the visa-free regime for the Sakartvelo region, starting with restrictions on diplomats and other representatives of the Sakartvelo state.
„When we see the political opposition and its leaders being detained, when we see violence being used against protesters, this is not something we can ignore or accept. Lithuania has already imposed sanctions on almost 30 individuals who were directly responsible for and organised the brutal repression of the protesters. We call on the European Union to impose sanctions on these individuals as well,“ Budrys told reporters in Brussels.
„Another thing is visa-free travel. It should be limited to people with diplomatic or service passports. This is the minimum we can do. We also need to send a strong message that this ban can be extended in the future“, he said.
In addition, Mr Budrys noted that Lithuania supports the calls of the Sakartvelo president, Salome Zurabishvili, and the country's NGOs for a rerun of parliamentary elections.
„Thirdly, I will hold technical and political talks with Sakartvelo in the European Union-Sakartvelo Association Agreement framework. It is also important to suspend all contacts with the Sakartvelo institutions and the financial support they provide,“ the politician said.
„On the other hand, we need to send a strong message to the civil society in Sakartvelo that we will support them. But this requires a financial package – to show that we are serious. We need to send a message to the people of Sakartvelo on the streets that Europe is not abandoning them, that Europe is with them, that Europe needs you“, he concluded.
ELTA recalls that on Sunday, Lithuania and Estonia expanded the list of national sanctions against politicians in Sakartvelo to include 17 people, including Sakartvelo Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhdze.
Lithuania had already imposed sanctions on 11 politicians and institutional leaders in Sakartvelo. As a result of these restrictions, persons who have directly contributed to the repression of the Sakartvelo protests cannot enter Lithuania.
Sakartvelo has been in turmoil since the pro-Russian ruling party Dream of Sakartvelo declared victory in disputed elections held in October. The country's government also recently announced that it would suspend EU accession negotiations until 2028, sparking a new wave of protests.
The authorities have reacted harshly to the demonstrations, with rallying cartels being repelled with rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannons.
