Germany, France call Georgia ‘close partner’, denounce Russian-Abkhazia economic integration talks
German and French foreign ministry spokesperson have issued a joint statement in support of Georgia. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
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Germany and France have issued a joint statement earlier today calling Georgia their ‘close partner’ which has ‘undergone tremendous democratic changes in the last two decades’, including the strengthening of its ties with NATO and the European Union, in which it plays ‘an exemplary role’.
Building strong institutions is the bedrock of a strong democracy - as is a functioning democratic pluralism. We thus welcome the political consensus that all political parties reached earlier this year over necessary changes in the electoral system”, the statement reads.
It further says that ‘Georgians have shown readiness to seize the opportunity of renewed parliamentary pluralism offered by this reform’, while ‘the strong voter turnout during the first round of elections is encouraging and - amid the pandemic - remarkable’.
Ambassador of France to Georgia Diego Colas has tweeted:
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— Diégo Colas (@ColasDiego) December 12, 2020
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➡️ support negos underway and ???????????????? effort of facilitation
➡️ strongly support ???????? terr integrity in challenging regional envthttps://t.co/N8wk7dOoIj
German and French foreign ministry spokespersons also noted that international observers of ODIHR and domestic civil society organisations have, however, pointed to some shortcomings in the electoral process.
They said ‘it appears that all political forces in Georgia agree that further electoral and judicial reforms should remain high on the political agenda’.
For such a debate, parliament is the right forum, as a parliamentary process would strengthen the outcome and the process alike - and ultimately the trust in public institutions in Georgia”, the authors of the statement said.
Expressing their support for international mediators from the European Union and the United States, the authors of the statement said ‘their assistance to all political parties in Georgia has been offered with a view to help achieve a positive reform to strengthen Georgia’s democratic institutions’.
The statement focuses on the regional challenges as well.
In the context of recent talks regarding further economic integration of the breakaway region of Abkhazia with the Russian Federation, we reiterate our strong support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders”, the joint statement reads.
It also underscores that all parties concerned, including Russia, should fully implement the EU-mediated August 12, 2008 ceasefire agreement and reach tangible results in the Geneva International Discussions.
The Foreign Ministry of Ukraine ‘strongly condemns and does not recognise’ the agreement on the so-called program for the formation of a common social and economic space between Russia and Georgia’s occupied region of Abkhazia.
Participants of the Geneva International Discussions (GIDs) gathered for the first and only time this year to discuss security and humanitarian issues in Georgia's Russia-occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) on December 10-11.
The 10th convocation of the parliament of Georgia is holding its first session today following the October 31 parliamentary elections and the second round of elections on November 21. No opposition MPs from the eight parties and election blocs that were voted into parliament are attending the session. Five of eight opposition parties and blocs have signed a memorandum earlier today in which they do not recognise the election results, and demand the conduct of repeat elections and refuse to take up their mandates.
The fifth round of election talks mediated by foreign ambassadors between the ruling Georgian Dream party and eight opposition parties and blocs has been postponed.