Ruling party Sec Gen strongly criticises decision by Baltic states to impose sanctions on Georgian citizens, calling it “farce”

Kakha Kaladze, the Mayor of Tbilisi and Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Wednesday strongly criticised the recent decision by Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia to impose sanctions on Georgian citizens, calling it a “farce” based on “lies” with no connection to European values or democracy.

In his remarks, Kaladze claimed that a radical group with specific interests in Georgia was using the country's EU membership aspirations as leverage for blackmail and threats.

“They are representatives of a radical group, and we also have stateless radicals inside the country. They were not given the opportunity to use Georgia for their interests, specifically because there was no second front in the country, and Georgia did not join the sanctions [against Russia]. If they want war, they should fight it themselves”, the ruling party official said.

“Of course, the statements we hear about Georgia are lies and falsehoods, especially when there is an assault on the country’s Parliament, insults toward police officers, and the use of Molotov cocktails. Let anyone try similar actions in any European country, and see how the police react. We will defend our homeland, and such actions will always lead to an appropriate legal response”, he continued.

Kaladze further added that the Georgian Government was not afraid of threats or blackmail from external forces.

“When it comes to Georgia’s future and the country’s interests, we will always stand where our homeland needs us. Therefore, such statements will not cause us any harm, on the contrary, they will harm those making them”, he stressed.

Kaladze further highlighted that the Georgian Government had taken many steps toward the development of the country and the promotion of democratic processes.