Brussels, 26/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 26 October, congratulating Georgia on the “democratic” organisation of its general elections which took place on 1 October, MEPs encouraged the country's political parties to work together constructively during the future transition period and beyond to ensure stability, good governance, the rule of law and respect of human rights. In a common resolution on the Georgian elections, MEPs urge the politicians to show moderation, hoping the legisative and executive authorities will commit to constructive cooperation during the cohabitation period.
Commenting on the elections, the MEPs urge the authorities to deal with the shortcomings detected, such as the financing of political parties and cases of harassment and intimidation of party activists and sympathisers.
The European Parliament urges the Georgian authorities to investigate manhandling and torture in prisons and bring those guilty to justice. MEPs call for a serious overhaul of the prison system, corruption to be tackled and proper implementation of the political reforms that have already been made.
MEPs expect the new majority and new government to continue working with the European Union and NATO and hope that the EU's relations with Georgia will remain robust. They stress the importance of the European integration process in Georgia for the pursuit of economic, social and political reforms and welcome the conclusion of talks on an Association Agreement and the EU's desire to introduce visa-free travel for Georgian passport-holders. The MEPs stress the importance of Georgia's territorial integrity.
During the debate, MEPs welcomed the way the elections had been carried out, adding that reforms must continue and political movements must start to work together. The EU Enlargement Commissioner said the EU was prepared to work with the new government and manifest the EU's impartial support, focussing on values rather than figureheads. (CG/transl.fl)