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Sweden stops cooperation with Georgia – Orbán’s statement criticized

by AI | 30.Oct 2024 | Europe in brief AI

Everything indicates that the election in Georgia was not conducted properly, says Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. He also suggests that Hungary is doing Russia’s bidding: “He does not speak for the countries of Europe.”

Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. Photo: Mikaela Landeström/TT

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Stockholm – “Everything suggests that there have been many irregularities, that it is an election that is not reliable,” says Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, regarding the election in Georgia.

The Swedish government has decided to pause all direct government cooperation with Georgia after the election.

“This is extremely worrying, that a Russian-influenced government is doing everything they can to stop serious approaches to Europe where there is a popular will. And it must have consequences,” says the Prime Minister.

Kristersson reacts to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s statement that the election was “free and democratic.”

“He does not speak for the countries of Europe, he does not speak for Sweden, he may speak for Russia, but he does not speak for the rest of us.”

Georgia’s election was “free and fair,” claims Orbán during a press conference in Tbilisi on Tuesday – side by side with Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobachidze.

Orbán’s trip to Georgia deepens the divide between Hungary – currently the presiding country of the EU’s Council of Ministers – and the EU, observers say. The EU has stressed that the Hungarian Prime Minister, who is Russian President Vladimir Putin’s closest ally in the EU, does not represent the union during his visit in Tbilisi.

Orbán’s trip has been criticized by ministers from a variety of EU countries.

(October 29)

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