Observation on President Elections

The member  of the Committee on Foreign Affairs  in the European Parliament, speaks of his observations during the presidential election in Georgia on 27 October on behalf of the Euro parliament delegation to International  Election  Observation Mission.

It is my pleasure to address you as the Chair of the European Parliament delegation, part of the International Election Observation Mission.

The European Parliament fully subscribes to the statement preliminary findings and conclusions of our International Election Observation Mission, the result of the common endeavour of the long-term observation mission of the ODIHR and the short term observations of our parliamentarians.

The candidates were able to campaign freely and the campaign environment was less polarised than last year. However, the allegations of political pressure on representatives in local governments and some rhetoric used by political actors had a negative impact on the campaign environment. We observed a calm election day, where the election administration worked overall in a professional manner.

It was an important day for Georgia, continuing on the line of the exemplary elections of 2012 that guaranteed for the first time the peaceful transfer of power.

The next few months will shape Georgias future, as the cohabitation ends, the Parliament gains increasing authority, the new Prime Minister is appointed, and the challenges to its territorial integrity continue. The local elections due to take place in 2014 will be another important test for the maturity of Georgia democracy.

In a months time the Vilnius Summit will take place. It is a chance for Georgia to initial the Association Agreement with the European Union. This will be an important step on the path of European integration. It is a step that the European Parliament supports. As it supports the visa free regime for Georgia. Both were clearly stated in the recent resolution on European Neighborhood Policy.

However, the signing of the Association Agreement should be conditioned on tangible progress by Georgia in the area of the rule of law and democracy. It has to deliver on the reforms, particularly those aimed at achieving an independent and impartial judiciary and an effective criminal justice system.

The European Parliament hopes that Georgia will continue playing a progressive and constructive role in the Eastern Partnership and remains committed to strengthening EU relations with Georgia. We have always declared our readiness to support Georgias progress and reforms, in line with the principle of more for more.

This article was published in the  newsletter of the Mission of Georgia to the European Union.