The Swedish government has announced that it has suspended all direct cooperation with the Georgian authorities, but will continue to finance projects by public organizations, according to a comment by Minister of Foreign Trade and International Development Cooperation Benjamin Douza, quoted by Dagens Nyheter.
The minister said that Sweden is halting direct cooperation with Georgian government agencies and that this decision was made before the October 26 vote due to the country’s long democratic backsliding, in particular the adoption of the controversial law on “foreign agents.”
“This includes, among other things, cooperation between tax authorities, which we consider inappropriate in the current circumstances,” Benjamin Douza said.
He added that Stockholm is ready to resume cooperation if Georgia changes course again – which seems unlikely as long as the Georgian Dream remains in power.
“If it turns out that Georgia is serious about its move towards the EU and values its relations with the European Union, Sweden’s doors are open,” the minister said.
Total Swedish aid to Georgia has reached 190 million Swedish crowns per year. In 2024, 25 million crowns (more than 2 million euros) were reallocated to civil society projects.
“These funds are primarily aimed at supporting civil society with financial resources and legal opportunities so that they can continue to operate despite the legal restrictions imposed,” said Benjamin Doosa.