The European Parliament said on 16 Wednesday that the forthcoming parliamentary elections in Georgia will be “crucial to confirm the country’s democratic credentials“, following an agreement between the main political parties in constitutional amendments on the elections (see EUROPE 12517/30).
In the report by Sven Mikser (S&D, Estonia), which they adopted (552 votes in favour, 61 against and 78 abstentions) on the implementation of the EU’s association agreement with Georgia, MEPs hope for fair competition in the election campaign, an improved political climate and increased trust between political and institutional players, as well as between them and the Georgian people.
Parliament also welcomes the continued deepening of relations with the EU and the country’s progress in implementing reforms. Enhanced cooperation and EU assistance “are conditional on continued progress on reforms, in particular with regard to democracy and the Rule of law, including checks and balances within institutions, the independence of the judiciary and electoral reform”, says the report, which also underlines the importance of structural reforms to strengthen the investment climate.
MEPs also strongly condemn Russia’s illegal occupation of the regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and the illegal installation of fences along the administrative boundary line. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)