Parliament official claims “sad reality” behind EU’s freezing of Peace Facility support for Georgia

Gia Volski, the First Vice Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, on Wednesday said the European Union’s freezing of €30 million in support for the country from the European Peace Facility represented a “sad reality” of the bloc suspending the funding for the state's armed forces while it was “giving millions to rating-less non-governmental organisations” in the country as Georgian territories remained occupied and the “aggressive” policy of Russia was the “biggest threat” facing it.

The comment came after Paweł Herczyński, the EU Ambassador to Georgia, on Tuesday announced the bloc had frozen the financial support.

Weakening positions in the South Caucasus, [NATO] cancelling [military] exercises, refusing even symbolic assistance to the Georgian army - this gives Russia more advantages, which is a strategic mistake”, Volski said.

The Parliament official stressed the “biggest threat to Georgia and the Caucasus region in general” was “the Russian factor”, adding the recent indefinite postponement of the Noble Partner drills in the country by NATO was “not only a demarche towards Georgia, but it also means giving up positions”.

When the territories of Georgia are occupied and the biggest threat is Russia's aggressive policy, as well as when Russian tanks are standing not far from Tbilisi and a missile is aimed at our forehead, how can you suspend [the funding of] the army and give millions to rating-less non-governmental organisations?”, he added.

Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Tuesday said the EU decision on freezing the funds was “incomprehensible”.

The top Georgian diplomat stressed “such decisions” would “not ultimately hinder” Georgia's efforts towards European integration.