Georgia’s Deputy Finance Minister emphasises “Euro-Atlantic course” over US financial aid

Giorgi Kakauridze, the Deputy Finance Minister of Georgia, on Friday emphasised the importance of the country’s “Euro-Atlantic course” in comments after the United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday announced visa restrictions for “those responsible for undermining democracy” in the country.

Kakauridze was asked about potential financial sanctions stemming from the announcement, and said Blinken had only spoken about restrictions on “specific individuals”.

More important than the financial aid [from the US] [...] is our course - the course the country is taking, and this is the Euro-Atlantic course. The positions we had with both the European Union and the US are much more important than the financial assistance - the relationship we had, should have and will definitely have”, he said in response.

• US Gov’t announces visa restrictions for “those undermining democracy” in Georgia

The US Department of State’s restrictions would apply to individuals “responsible for damaging democracy” in Georgia, including in connection with the law on transparency of foreign influence, adopted by the ruling Georgian Dream party.

The law requires groups “considered to be an organisation pursuing the interests of a foreign power” - determined by more than 20 percent of their funding coming from abroad - to be registered in the public registry with the status and publicise their received funding.

Blinken’s statement said the restrictions would also apply to family members of the individuals and cited those “responsible for suppressing civil society and freedom of peaceful assembly” in Georgia through a “campaign of violence or intimidation” in response to protests against the law.

The Secretary of State also announced a “comprehensive review” of the cooperation between the two countries.