Brussels, 27/03/2014 (Agence Europe) - In its progress report adopted on Thursday 27 March, the European Commission underlined the “intensive” political dialogue that it had with the Georgian government in 2013. It recalls the initialling of the association agreement, and the signing of the framework agreement on Georgia's participation in the EU's common security and defence policy (CSDP) and in EU programmes. Georgia also made “significant progress” on visas and readmission, and continued implementation of reforms on mobility.
Although Georgia has continued the reform of its justice system, it should still ensure the full independence of the judicial power, and guarantee that criminal trials are “conducted in a transparent and impartial manner, free of political motivation”. Ensuring the adequate separation of powers and checks and balances between executive, legislative and the judicial powers is also important, says the Commission. It calls for the responsibility and democratic control of law-enforcing bodies to be increased and for the fight against corruption to be continued.
The Commission advocates strengthening pluralism, the independence of the media and the freedom of expression and opinion. The EU also wants Tbilisi to strengthen its policy of engagement with breakaway regions. (CG)