Brussels, 25/03/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 25 March, the European Commission stated that while Georgia came closer to the EU in 2014 and continued its democratic transition, reforms still remain to be made.
In its progress report, the Commission reiterates that Georgia signed its association agreement with the EU on 27 June and that the second phase of implementation of the visa liberalisation process was launched in October.
“Georgia continued its democratic transition, including on human rights and fundamental freedoms”, the Commission states. Nevertheless, further efforts are also needed. Georgia must ensure the separation of powers and checks and balances between the executive, the legislature and the judicial power as part of its ongoing constitutional reform. The political climate must also be improved - including by ensuring a space for dialogue with the opposition and between the parties. Despite the efforts in the justice sector, “judicial independence remained fragile” in 2014, the Commission notes, stating that the reform of the judicial system must be continued in order to ensure the full independence of the judiciary. The Commission also calls for the continuation of structural reforms and for a high level of convergence with the acquis communautaire to be guaranteed.
Criticising the treaties signed between the separatist regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia with the Russian Federation, the Commission calls on Tbilisi to improve its policy of engagement towards the separatist regions and to take “pragmatic” measures to open up more channels of communication and exchange with these regions. (Camille-Cerise Gessant)