{"id":2350,"date":"2024-11-30T08:56:53","date_gmt":"2024-11-30T08:56:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/?p=2350"},"modified":"2024-11-30T08:56:53","modified_gmt":"2024-11-30T08:56:53","slug":"thousands-protest-in-tbilisi-after-eu-bid-suspended","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/?p=2350","title":{"rendered":"Thousands protest in Tbilisi after EU bid suspended"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"\">\n<figure>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"sc-18fde0d6-0 EXUng\">\n<div data-testid=\"hero-image\" class=\"sc-a34861b-1 jxzoZC\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/bbcx\/grey-placeholder.png\" class=\"sc-a34861b-0 cOpVbP hide-when-no-script\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/7429\/live\/1acd68a0-aece-11ef-8e2a-0fad29066823.jpg.webp 240w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/7429\/live\/1acd68a0-aece-11ef-8e2a-0fad29066823.jpg.webp 320w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/7429\/live\/1acd68a0-aece-11ef-8e2a-0fad29066823.jpg.webp 480w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/640\/cpsprodpb\/7429\/live\/1acd68a0-aece-11ef-8e2a-0fad29066823.jpg.webp 640w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/7429\/live\/1acd68a0-aece-11ef-8e2a-0fad29066823.jpg.webp 800w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1024\/cpsprodpb\/7429\/live\/1acd68a0-aece-11ef-8e2a-0fad29066823.jpg.webp 1024w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1536\/cpsprodpb\/7429\/live\/1acd68a0-aece-11ef-8e2a-0fad29066823.jpg.webp 1536w\" src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/7429\/live\/1acd68a0-aece-11ef-8e2a-0fad29066823.jpg.webp\" alt=\"EPA A Georgian opposition supporter in a jacket launches a firework towards police. He is wearing a hood and a mask and is surrounded by other protesters\" class=\"sc-a34861b-0 efFcac\"\/><span class=\"sc-a34861b-2 fxQYxK\">EPA<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-18fde0d6-0 dlWCEZ\">\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">Thousands of protesters returned to the streets of Tbilisi on Friday to protest against the government&#8217;s decision to suspend accession talks with the European Union.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">Demonstrators were seen shouting &#8220;traitors&#8221; and holding photographs of journalists who they say were beaten by police in the previous night&#8217;s protests.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">For the second night running, police deployed tear gas and made heavy use of water cannon against the demonstrators.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">President Salome Zourabishvili said &#8220;the resistance movement [had] begun&#8221; and that she stood &#8220;in solidarity with it&#8221;.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">&#8220;We will remain united until Georgia achieves its goals, to return to its European path, secure new elections.&#8221; she said <!-- --><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=EdwwbBHmAQ4\" class=\"sc-c9299ecf-0 bZUiKB\" rel=\"noopener\">in a televised address<!-- --><\/a>.<!-- --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-18fde0d6-0 dlWCEZ\">\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">Earlier, more than 100 diplomats and civil servants in Georgia signed an open letter saying the government&#8217;s decision does not align with Georgia&#8217;s strategic interests.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">Defending his decision, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze accused the EU of &#8220;blackmail&#8221; after EU legislators called for last month&#8217;s parliamentary elections in Georgia to be re-run. They cited &#8220;significant irregularities&#8221;. <!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">Since 2012, Georgia has been governed by Georgian Dream, a party which critics say has tried to move the country away from the EU and closer to Russia. <!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">The party claimed victory in last month&#8217;s election but opposition MPs are boycotting the new parliament, alleging fraud, while the country&#8217;s President  Zourabichvili<!-- --><b id=\"\" class=\"sc-7dcfb11b-0 kVRnKf\"> <!-- --><\/b>&#8211; who is at loggerheads with the governing party &#8211;<!-- --><b id=\"\" class=\"sc-7dcfb11b-0 kVRnKf\"> <!-- --><\/b>has called the one-party parliament &#8220;unconstitutional&#8221;. <!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">On Thursday, the European Parliament <!-- --><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.europarl.europa.eu\/doceo\/document\/TA-10-2024-0054_EN.pdf\" class=\"sc-c9299ecf-0 bZUiKB\" rel=\"noopener\">backed a resolution<!-- --><\/a> describing the election as the latest stage in Georgia&#8217;s &#8220;worsening democratic crisis&#8221; and saying that the ruling party was &#8220;fully responsible&#8221;.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">It expressed particular concern about reports of voter intimidation, vote-buying and manipulation, and harassment of observers.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">The European Parliament also urged sanctions against Georgia&#8217;s prime minister and other high-level officials including the billionaire founder of the governing party Bidzina Ivanishvili.<!-- --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><figcaption class=\"sc-8353772e-0 cvNhQw\">BBC reports from mass protest at &#8216;crucial moment for Georgia&#8217;<!-- --><\/figcaption><\/p>\n<figure>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"sc-18fde0d6-0 jFCfG\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"sc-a34861b-1 jxzoZC\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/bbcx\/grey-placeholder.png\" class=\"sc-a34861b-0 cOpVbP hide-when-no-script\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/3b5d\/live\/25b9d920-ae78-11ef-bdf5-b7cb2fa86e10.jpg.webp 240w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/3b5d\/live\/25b9d920-ae78-11ef-bdf5-b7cb2fa86e10.jpg.webp 320w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/3b5d\/live\/25b9d920-ae78-11ef-bdf5-b7cb2fa86e10.jpg.webp 480w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/640\/cpsprodpb\/3b5d\/live\/25b9d920-ae78-11ef-bdf5-b7cb2fa86e10.jpg.webp 640w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/3b5d\/live\/25b9d920-ae78-11ef-bdf5-b7cb2fa86e10.jpg.webp 800w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1024\/cpsprodpb\/3b5d\/live\/25b9d920-ae78-11ef-bdf5-b7cb2fa86e10.jpg.webp 1024w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1536\/cpsprodpb\/3b5d\/live\/25b9d920-ae78-11ef-bdf5-b7cb2fa86e10.jpg.webp 1536w\" src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/3b5d\/live\/25b9d920-ae78-11ef-bdf5-b7cb2fa86e10.jpg.webp\" alt=\"Reuters Protesters hold up photographs during demonstrations in Tbilisi \" class=\"sc-a34861b-0 efFcac\"\/><span class=\"sc-a34861b-2 fxQYxK\">Reuters<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><figcaption class=\"sc-8353772e-0 cvNhQw\">Demonstrators could be seen on Friday holding photographs of journalists who they say were beaten by police overnight<!-- --><\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<figure>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"sc-18fde0d6-0 jFCfG\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"sc-a34861b-1 jxzoZC\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/bbcx\/grey-placeholder.png\" class=\"sc-a34861b-0 cOpVbP hide-when-no-script\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/d5fa\/live\/e1c51510-aee8-11ef-a0a2-8308442ecc41.jpg.webp 240w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/d5fa\/live\/e1c51510-aee8-11ef-a0a2-8308442ecc41.jpg.webp 320w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/d5fa\/live\/e1c51510-aee8-11ef-a0a2-8308442ecc41.jpg.webp 480w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/640\/cpsprodpb\/d5fa\/live\/e1c51510-aee8-11ef-a0a2-8308442ecc41.jpg.webp 640w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/d5fa\/live\/e1c51510-aee8-11ef-a0a2-8308442ecc41.jpg.webp 800w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1024\/cpsprodpb\/d5fa\/live\/e1c51510-aee8-11ef-a0a2-8308442ecc41.jpg.webp 1024w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1536\/cpsprodpb\/d5fa\/live\/e1c51510-aee8-11ef-a0a2-8308442ecc41.jpg.webp 1536w\" src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/d5fa\/live\/e1c51510-aee8-11ef-a0a2-8308442ecc41.jpg.webp\" alt=\"Reuters A firework explodes in a shower of yellow and red sparks above the heads of a group of riot police officers. They are wearing black uniforms and heavy riot helmets, their faces obscured. Several are holding clear plastic shields.\" class=\"sc-a34861b-0 efFcac\"\/><span class=\"sc-a34861b-2 fxQYxK\">Reuters<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><figcaption class=\"sc-8353772e-0 cvNhQw\">A firework explodes near police officers at the protests on Friday<!-- --><\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-18fde0d6-0 dlWCEZ\">\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">Following the resolution, Georgia&#8217;s prime minister said his government had &#8220;decided not to bring up the issue of joining the European Union on the agenda until the end of 2028&#8221;.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">He said Georgia would still seek EU membership but with &#8220;dignity&#8221; and on its own terms.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">Kobakhidze also lashed out at European politicians for &#8220;hurling a cascade of insults&#8221; at the Georgian government. <!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">In response, thousands of pro-EU protesters started demonstrating outside Georgian Dream offices in the cities of Tbilisi and Kutaisi on Thursday. <!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">Protesters see the government&#8217;s U-turn as a betrayal of a national aspiration. <!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">The goal of European integration is enshrined in Georgia&#8217;s constitution.<!-- --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"sc-18fde0d6-0 jFCfG\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"sc-a34861b-1 jxzoZC\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/bbcx\/grey-placeholder.png\" class=\"sc-a34861b-0 cOpVbP hide-when-no-script\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/6486\/live\/88c5cf20-aeea-11ef-aade-0db8d33552c4.jpg.webp 240w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/6486\/live\/88c5cf20-aeea-11ef-aade-0db8d33552c4.jpg.webp 320w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/6486\/live\/88c5cf20-aeea-11ef-aade-0db8d33552c4.jpg.webp 480w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/640\/cpsprodpb\/6486\/live\/88c5cf20-aeea-11ef-aade-0db8d33552c4.jpg.webp 640w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/6486\/live\/88c5cf20-aeea-11ef-aade-0db8d33552c4.jpg.webp 800w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1024\/cpsprodpb\/6486\/live\/88c5cf20-aeea-11ef-aade-0db8d33552c4.jpg.webp 1024w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1536\/cpsprodpb\/6486\/live\/88c5cf20-aeea-11ef-aade-0db8d33552c4.jpg.webp 1536w\" src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/6486\/live\/88c5cf20-aeea-11ef-aade-0db8d33552c4.jpg.webp\" alt=\"Getty Images Georgia's President Salome Zurabishvili, a woman with black hair, stands directly in front of riot police, reaching up over a shield towards a masked officer.\" class=\"sc-a34861b-0 efFcac\"\/><span class=\"sc-a34861b-2 fxQYxK\">Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><figcaption class=\"sc-8353772e-0 cvNhQw\">President Zurabishvili (right) attended the protest on Thursday, with local media reporting she approached officers directly<!-- --><\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-18fde0d6-0 dlWCEZ\">\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">During the first night of protests, police used batons, tear gas and water cannon after demonstrators barricaded some streets in Tbilisi.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">Georgia&#8217;s interior ministry said protesters resorted to provocations on many occasions, damaging infrastructure and &#8220;badly injuring&#8221; 32 police officers.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">The precise number of injured protesters is unknown, but a member of the opposition group Coalition for Change said one if its members, Nana Malashkhia, had their nose broken.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">\u201cDuring the crackdown, we took shelter in a pharmacy, but the special forces stormed in after us. If it was not for the presence of the media, they might have beaten us to death,\u201d Giorgi Butikashvili told the BBC.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">Footage on social media also showed a journalist from the opposition Formula TV station being severely beaten by the police. <!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">Other media representatives wearing clearly marked press labels were also targeted.<!-- --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"sc-18fde0d6-0 jFCfG\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"sc-a34861b-1 jxzoZC\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/bbcx\/grey-placeholder.png\" class=\"sc-a34861b-0 cOpVbP hide-when-no-script\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/8679\/live\/462d4680-aee9-11ef-a0a2-8308442ecc41.jpg.webp 240w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/8679\/live\/462d4680-aee9-11ef-a0a2-8308442ecc41.jpg.webp 320w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/8679\/live\/462d4680-aee9-11ef-a0a2-8308442ecc41.jpg.webp 480w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/640\/cpsprodpb\/8679\/live\/462d4680-aee9-11ef-a0a2-8308442ecc41.jpg.webp 640w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/8679\/live\/462d4680-aee9-11ef-a0a2-8308442ecc41.jpg.webp 800w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1024\/cpsprodpb\/8679\/live\/462d4680-aee9-11ef-a0a2-8308442ecc41.jpg.webp 1024w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1536\/cpsprodpb\/8679\/live\/462d4680-aee9-11ef-a0a2-8308442ecc41.jpg.webp 1536w\" src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/8679\/live\/462d4680-aee9-11ef-a0a2-8308442ecc41.jpg.webp\" alt=\"Reuters A masked protester waves an EU flag above a makeshift barricade at the protests. There's smoke in the background.\" class=\"sc-a34861b-0 efFcac\"\/><span class=\"sc-a34861b-2 fxQYxK\">Reuters<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><figcaption class=\"sc-8353772e-0 cvNhQw\">A protester told the BBC that Georgians want a &#8220;better future&#8221; as part of the EU<!-- --><\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-18fde0d6-0 dlWCEZ\">\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">The EU&#8217;s ambassador to Georgia called the government&#8217;s suspension sad and heartbreaking.  <!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">Pawel Herczynski said it contradicted the policy of previous governments and the wishes of the vast majority of the population. Public polling has shown more than 80% of Georgians see their country&#8217;s future as being part of the European Union.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">&#8220;Georgian Dream didn&#8217;t win the elections. It staged a coup,&#8221; 20-year-old Shota Sabashvili told AFP news agency. <!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">&#8220;There is no legitimate parliament or government in Georgia. We will not let this self-proclaimed prime minister destroy our European future.&#8221;<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">Ana, a student, said Georgian Dream was &#8220;going against Georgian people&#8217;s will and want to drag us back to USSR&#8221;.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">&#8220;That will never happen because Georgian people will never let this happen,&#8221; she told the Associated Press.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">Uta, a protester, told the BBC that Georgians want a &#8220;better future&#8221; as part of the European Union.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">&#8220;We don&#8217;t want to be part of Russia anymore&#8221;, he said.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">Another protester, Vakho, said the government&#8217;s actions were disappointing and not representative of the &#8220;Georgian people&#8217;s will&#8221;.<!-- --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"sc-18fde0d6-0 gfTVSf\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"sc-a34861b-1 jxzoZC\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/bbcx\/grey-placeholder.png\" class=\"sc-a34861b-0 cOpVbP hide-when-no-script\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/3322\/live\/2f92a070-ae06-11ef-8f2e-91d29a71e30f.jpg.webp 240w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/3322\/live\/2f92a070-ae06-11ef-8f2e-91d29a71e30f.jpg.webp 320w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/3322\/live\/2f92a070-ae06-11ef-8f2e-91d29a71e30f.jpg.webp 480w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/640\/cpsprodpb\/3322\/live\/2f92a070-ae06-11ef-8f2e-91d29a71e30f.jpg.webp 640w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/3322\/live\/2f92a070-ae06-11ef-8f2e-91d29a71e30f.jpg.webp 800w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1024\/cpsprodpb\/3322\/live\/2f92a070-ae06-11ef-8f2e-91d29a71e30f.jpg.webp 1024w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1536\/cpsprodpb\/3322\/live\/2f92a070-ae06-11ef-8f2e-91d29a71e30f.jpg.webp 1536w\" src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/3322\/live\/2f92a070-ae06-11ef-8f2e-91d29a71e30f.jpg.webp\" alt=\"AFP A protester in Tbilisi, Georgia stands in front of a line of riot police holding a large European Union flag.  \" class=\"sc-a34861b-0 efFcac\"\/><span class=\"sc-a34861b-2 fxQYxK\">AFP<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-18fde0d6-0 dlWCEZ\">\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">Georgia has had official EU candidate status since 2023. However Brussels had already halted the accession process earlier this year <!-- --><a target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/world-europe-69007465\" class=\"sc-c9299ecf-0 bZUiKB\" rel=\"noopener\">over a Russia-style law<!-- --><\/a> targeting organisations accused of \u201cpursuing the interests of a foreign power\u201d.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">Kobakhidze said Georgia would continue to implement the reforms required for accession and that it still planned to join by 2030, but added that it was &#8220;crucial for the EU to respect our national interests and traditional values&#8221;.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">Former Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili told the BBC the country was at an &#8220;unprecedented&#8221; turning point.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">&#8220;Since we were independent 30 years ago, we were clearly pro-Western, we were clearly pro-Nato and clearly pro-EU and this was uniting any government that was in place.&#8221;<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">But now, he added, there was an effort &#8220;by the bunch of people who are controlling power in Tbilisi and the Kremlin to basically bring Georgia as fast as this is possible to Russian orbit&#8221;.<!-- --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-18fde0d6-0 dlWCEZ\">\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">Georgia&#8217;s ambassador to Bulgaria also resigned in protest. Otar Berdzenishvili said he had over a two-decade career worked extensiely on progressing Georgia&#8217;s EU integration.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">&#8220;Our tireless efforts must not be shaken or compromised under any circumstances. No, violence against the free will of peaceful protesters, full solidarity with them.&#8221;<!-- --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>EPA Thousands of protesters returned to the streets of Tbilisi on Friday to protest against the government&#8217;s decision to suspend accession talks with the European Union. Demonstrators were seen shouting&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2351,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3],"tags":[752,1988,3287,3286,1987],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Thousands protest in Tbilisi after EU bid suspended - Frisco Times<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Thousands gather in Tbilisi for a second night running, after the government suspended its EU membership bid.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/?p=2350\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Thousands protest in Tbilisi after EU bid suspended - 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