Regarding the statements made by the Lithuanian member of the European Parliament, we would like to point out that the members of the European Parliament do not coordinate with their countries of origin and do not represent their positions; Accordingly, the Embassy of Lithuania cannot comment on such statements.

Lithuania and its embassy do not accept violence in any way and express confidence in the ability of the Georgian police and security forces to ensure freedom of assembly and expression, the Lithuanian embassy in Georgia announced.

The embassy responded to the call of the representatives of the ruling party of Georgia that the embassy of Lithuania should make an explanation regarding the statements of the European parliamentarian Petras Auštrevičius, which contained a call to impose sanctions on Georgian law enforcement officers.

At the same time, the Embassy of Lithuania responded to the attempt to adopt the draft law "On transparency of foreign influence" and noted that it contradicts the recommendations of the European Union and is incompatible with the norms and values of the European Union. According to the embassy, this development of events causes significant concern both in Lithuania and in the European Union.

"Lithuania has long been and continues to be committed to promoting the unique character of the long-standing friendship and special relationship between Georgia and the Republic of Lithuania. Also, Lithuania uniquely supports Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, as well as Georgia's European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

Lithuania and the Lithuanian people were the first to extend a hand of support to Georgia in August 2008. As a sign of unwavering solidarity, President Valdas Adamkus arrived in Tbilisi at a time when Russian military forces were entering the territory of Georgia and advancing.

Currently, after being granted EU candidate status on December 14, 2023, provided that the 9 steps set by the European Commission are met, Georgia is closer than ever to starting accession negotiations and then joining the EU. Lithuania wholeheartedly supported the December decision of the European Council.

Among other steps, Georgia was urged to combat disinformation, manipulation of information from abroad and interference against the EU and its values, as well as to ensure that its civil society can function freely. In this regard, the currently submitted draft law "On transparency of foreign influence" is against the recommendations of the European Union and is incompatible with the norms and values of the European Union. Such a development of events causes significant concern both in Lithuania and in the European Union.

Taking into account the context of recent accusations related to statements made by a Lithuanian member of the European Parliament, we would like to point out that members of the European Parliament do not coordinate with their countries of origin and do not represent their positions; Accordingly, the Embassy of Lithuania cannot comment on such statements.

Lithuania and its embassy do not condone the violence in any way and express confidence in the ability of the Georgian police and security forces to ensure freedom of assembly and expression, especially in view of the need to ensure an effective dialogue with civil society.

"Lithuania sincerely hopes that Georgia will use the historic window of opportunity for the EU enlargement process activated by the renewed forces, will implement all the recommendations of the European Commission and will be able to quickly start accession negotiations," the embassy said in a statement.

For information, Petras Auštrevičius appealed to the institutions of the European Union to introduce sanctions against Zviad Kharebashvili and Vazha Siradze, because according to him, these people are acting against the will of the Georgian people.

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