Brussels, 18/11/2014 (Agence Europe) - On 17 November, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini called for an improvement to the political climate in Georgia.
Hailing the country's “important” progress on democracy after the parliamentary and presidential elections of 2012 and 2013, Mogherini underlined the “need to improve the political climate” and to continue the efforts to reform the judicial system and ensure the rule of law. “Political retribution, confrontation and polarisation must be avoided, and space for opposition and cross-party dialogue between should be ensured”, she said at the end of the first EU-Georgia association council.
On the ground, many members of the opposition are subject to investigation or being prosecuted (see EUROPE 11197) and several ministers from the coalition have just resigned (see EUROPE 11192).
“Criminal investigations and prosecutions should be evidence-based, transparent, free of political motivation, impartial, and adhere strictly to principles of due process, in line with the commitments undertaken by Georgia in the association agreement”, Mogherini stated. “Any form of instrumentalisation of the prosecution for political purposes must be avoided, and the prosecutors should follow legally based procedures strictly and prepare evidence professionally”, she added. She recalled that Georgian politicians should refrain from comment on ongoing investigations and on cases in the court, and said that the government must respect the decisions of the judiciary.
Mogherini urged Georgia to pursue further reforms to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms. Georgia's Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said he was determined to step up efforts in order to consolidate democracy.
In a joint press release, the EU and Georgia “recognised Georgia's European aspirations, its European choice and joint objective to promote the construction of a democratic, stable and prosperous country”. Garibashvili underlined “the irreversibility of Georgia's route for European and Euro-Atlantic integration”, and said this was “a choice of civilisation”. “The association agreement is the blueprint for Georgia's Europeanisation and modernisation”, he added (our translation).
Recalling the importance of the EU member states ratifying the association agreement swiftly, the Council stated that this agreement would be the basis from which Georgia proceeds to its programme of reforms in years to come.
The EU and Georgia signed a funding agreement for a regional development programme on 18 November. EU aid to Tbilisi for 2014-2017 will be €410 million. (CG)