Brussels, 17/11/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 16 November, the European Union and Georgia agreed on the need to maintain democratic momentum in Georgia, in the light of parliamentary elections in October 2016.
In the joint press release published at the end of the second Association Council, the EU calls on all the political actors to ensure a free and pluralist environment for media, and also political pluralism because these are the “prerequisite for the conduct of democratic elections”, while avoiding all measures or statements that could increase tension and favour polarisation. “There should be an environment based on media freedom, pluralism, respect for the rule of law, and judicial independence to guarantee democratic, inclusive and participative elections”, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini said at a press conference.
The Europeans also committed to helping Georgia in its efforts to reform its judicial system and to strengthen the rule of law. The EU particularly emphasised the importance of ensuring that criminal investigations and prosecutions are independent, evidence-based, transparent, impartial, and adhering strictly to principles of due process, the press release added. “The EU will continue to support Georgia in its efforts to reform the judiciary and safeguard the rule of law”, Mogherini said.
The Association Council also hailed Georgia's resolve “to sustain the positive results of the reforms” as regards democracy, good governance, the rule of law and respect for human rights, and said that Georgia was a “frontrunner in the Eastern Partnership”. Georgia's Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili added that his country had recorded significant results in these domains, and also in the development of judicial independence, the fight against corruption, and on growth and economic stability.
The Association Council also hailed Georgia's progress towards visas liberalisation, underling the importance of the report that the Commission is due to present before the end of 2015 which, if positive, could enable this visa liberalisation. “We are not sparing any resource to fulfil all the criteria”, provided for in the action plan, Garibashvili stated. “The efforts to fulfil the remaining benchmarks need to continue (…) I cannot anticipate the decision that will be taken, but I see very positive signs of the process in front of us”, Mogherini added. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)