European Parliament adopts resolution on Georgia
The resolution on Moldova was adopted by 396 vote to 76, with 186 abstentions, while the resolution on Georgia was approved by 528 votes to 97, with 34 abstentions.
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The European Parliament has adopted the resolution on Georgia in the wake of the discussion regarding the implementation process of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement on Tuesday.
The resolution was approved today by 528 votes to 97, with 34 abstentions.
In the resolution MEPs “warmly welcome” Georgia’s sustained reform track and progress made in implementing the EU association agreement.
They note that the EU is now Georgia’s largest trade partner and the largest source of foreign direct investment.
Therefore, MEPs call on the Georgian authorities to continue ensuring stability, further democratic reforms, as well as economic and social improvements for Georgians, who are affected by poverty, unemployment and economic emigration. High-level corruption, full independence of the judiciary , the depoliticisation of media content , labour and human rights and environmental protection , also remain areas of concern, MEPs stress,” the European Parliament press office reads.
The resolution also recalls with regret that after ten years, Russia still continues its illegal occupation of Georgian territories. MEPs reiterate their unequivocal support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and emphasise the importance of proactive communication to Georgian citizens about the tangible benefits and goals of the Eastern Partnership,” the statement reads.
Regarding the 2018 presidential elections in Georgia, MEPs welcomed their “competitive nature and the absence of cases of violence”.
They invited the authorities and political parties to address the issues of concern, as highlighted by the International Election Observation Mission, notably the misuse of state resources, excessively high caps in campaign financing and the targeting of independent civil society organisations.
Lead MEP on Georgia Andrejs Mamikins, who drafted the report on Georgia, said that “Georgia is positively changing its political identity since the Association Agreement was signed in 2014.”
Notwithstanding the persistent challenges related to corruption and labour rights, Georgia has made clear steps towards the European model of governance, and the structural reform of the ministries promises good results,” Mamikins said.
The Georgian PM has thanked MEPs for their assessments.
Member of the European Parliament Clare Moody has stated that Georgia is a star of the region for its commitment to European values. Moody made the statement yesterday at the European Parliament’s plenary session, during the discussion and debates of the report drafted by MEP Andrejs Mamikins regarding the implementation process of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement.
Lawmakers of the European Parliament (EP) have stated that Georgia is on a good reform track.MEPs made the statement yesterday when the EP Foreign Affairs Committee took stock of the implementation of the EU association agreements with Moldova and Georgia, which entered into force two years ago.
Today is one of the most important days for Georgia on its European Union (EU) integration path as the country’s Association Agreement (AA) with the EU is fully and officially coming into force.
Last night the EU Foreign Affairs Council announced its decision to end the procedures needed for ratification of the EU-Georgia AA deal. The Council said the Agreement would come into force on the first day of July 2016.
The resolution reads that Russia’s war in Georgia, as well as its illegal occupation of the two Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) since 2008, its illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, its involvement in the conflict in eastern Ukraine since 2014 and its continued military activities along NATO’s eastern flank “have given rise to concerns about its intentions in Central and Eastern Europe, but also elsewhere around the world.”
The European Parliament calls on the European Union to continue supporting the two Eastern Partnership countries, Ukraine and Georgia, and to promote European reforms and fundamental freedoms in the region.