Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications of the recent (a) Georgian parliamentary election and (b) presidential inauguration on Georgia’s relationship with (i) the EU, (ii) the United States and (iii) NATO.

I made clear on 3 December that Georgia's continued steps away from democratic norms and freedoms will only serve to harm its international reputation, and risk fundamentally damaging relations with Georgia's friends and partners. In response to recent events in Georgia, the Foreign Secretary announced on 9 December that the UK would suspend all programme support to the Georgian government, restricted defence cooperation, and limited engagement with representatives of Georgian Dream. On 19 December the UK, in co-ordination with the USA, implemented sanctions against the Minister and Deputy Minister of Internal affairs and three police officials responsible for violent attacks against journalists and peaceful protestors in Georgia. The UK continues to work closely with NATO, European and American partners to support the Euro-Atlantic will of the Georgian People.