The Armenian government has initiated a signature collection campaign in the country's provinces to demand the resignation of Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II, the newspaper Iravunk reported. According to the newspaper, the initiator was ruling party MP Karen Sarukhanyan, who received the support of fellow party members and the approval of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
The freeze on EU financial support to Georgia may be extended until 2026, the European Commission announced. Member of the European Parliament, Tomasz Zdechovský, emphasized that a complete halt to funding is not planned, but that significant allocations to the country next year are unlikely without clear changes in the country's political situation.
The loss of more than €120 million in financial assistance, according to the MEP, is due to serious concerns about Georgia's retreat from democratic principles and problems with the rule of law. Doubts are also being expressed about the country's ability to join the EU by 2030.
"The current political trajectory, the lack of key reforms, and unresolved territorial conflicts make such a scenario unrealistic. Candidate status does not guarantee accession, and this process typically takes many years," Zdechovský noted.