“The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is suspending its cooperation with the Georgian Ministry of Education, Science and Youth as well as with other Georgian authorities until further notice as a consequence for deviating from the European path,” reads the statement of the German Embassy in Georgia.

According to the statement, At the same time, the BMBF remains open to resuming dialogue if the Georgian authorities undertake credible and perceptible steps toward de-escalation internally, the restoration of academic freedom, and a return to the path of European integration.

“Germany stands in solidarity with scientists who want to continue conducting free research in Georgia and reaffirms their right to the protection and promotion of academic freedom, to which Georgia has committed itself as a member of the United Nations. We, therefore, want to continue the dialogue with civil society structures in science and research in Georgia as much as possible and support the approximation to Europe. We are convinced that the student exchange to and from Georgia is an important contribution to European rapprochement. This will continue.

Our goal is to maintain research and networking opportunities between German scientists and their Georgian cooperation partners. Project and individual funding remain possible. In doing so, we are also sending a signal to the people who stand for a European, cosmopolitan Georgia.

The BMBF recommends that German universities and research and intermediary organizations also suspend institutional cooperation with Georgian authorities within the framework of legal possibilities. Due to academic freedom, the decision lies with the scientific community itself,” reads the statement.