The European Union's ambassador to Georgia said on Friday that Tbilisi's move to effectively halt the country's EU accession bid until 2028 was "heartbreaking" and in conflict with the wishes of most Georgians,

Police clashed with protesters in the Georgian capital Tbilisi early on Friday, after the country’s ruling party said the government would suspend talks on European Union accession and refuse budgetary grants until 2028.

Georgian riot police deployed tear gas and rubber bullets against demonstrators protesting a government decision to delay pursuing European Union accession.