Brussels, 10/02/2016 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 9 February, European Council President Donald Tusk underlined the importance of an open and dynamic political environment in Georgia in the run up to the 2016 parliamentary elections.
“We spoke about the parliamentary elections. And we agree that a free and pluralist media environment, and an open and dynamic political environment, are prior conditions for success”, he said at a press conference with Georgia's Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, who was making his first visit to Brussels. “It is important to ensure a high level of democratic standards during the electoral year”, Kvirikashvili stated, mentioning the importance of continuing the judicial reforms, providing a free media area for all stakeholders in the electoral process, and the participation of civil society and non-governmental organisations. During a press conference, again with Kvirikashvili, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn highlighted the need to decide on an electoral code, in consultation with the opposition and civil society.
Generally, the Europeans called on Tbilisi to continue its reforms. Tusk stated that the continuation of reforms of the judicial system, of the rule of law and of human rights, were important priorities. “It is crucial that the investigations and criminal proceedings be founded on evidence, that they be transparent and impartial, and in line with the commitments taken in the association agreement”, he said. Hahn meanwhile underlined the reform of the judiciary, the independence of the judges and public prosecutor, and the building of trust in the application of the law. He also hailed Georgia's work in harmonising its legislation with the acquis communautaire.
According to Kvirikashvili, the visa liberalisation action plan enabled the reform process to be accelerated in the country. “I hope the visa-free regime for Georgian citizens will be set up swiftly. It would be a strong demonstration that the European choice brings tangible results”, he said in front of Tusk. Following the Commission's positive report in December, the Council of the EU and the European Parliament are due to give their agreement for Georgians with a biometric passport to be able to travel visa-free for a short stay in the EU. The Commission is currently in the process of preparing the legislative proposal.
Kvirikashvili stated that the effective implementation of the association agreement was a “top priority” for Tbilisi, and he said he looked forward to beginning work “soon” on the new association agenda which will enable a package of common priorities for the next three years.
The Europeans also reiterated the EU's support to the territorial integrity of Georgia, in its internationally recognised borders. Tusk said he shared Georgia's concerns about the continued implementation of the rapprochement “treaties” between Russia and the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)