'Truly European way of resolving crisis': foreign diplomats welcome agreement reached between political parties in Georgia

  • European Union President Charles Michel said that this was 'a truly European way of resolving the crisis'. Photo: Charles Michel/Twitter.

Agenda.ge, 20 Apr 2021 - 11:22, Tbilisi,Georgia

The United States welcomes the agreement reached by the government of Georgia and several opposition parties on April 19, under the mediation of European Union President Charles Michel, to bring an end to Georgia’s political crisis, announces the US Embassy to Georgia.

While the signing of this agreement is a significant step, ending months of negotiations, we recognise that its implementation is equally important. The United States is committed to assisting the parliament to ensure this agreement achieves its aspirations", reads the statement published by the embassy.

In addition, the embassy invites individual members of parliament and remaining parties to sign the agreement 'so that all of Georgia’s elected representatives can begin working together in a fully functioning parliament on the pressing issues facing Georgia'.

United States government official Ned Price posted on Twitter:

EU Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell has also posted on his Twitter account that he is inviting all elected members of parliament of Georgia to sign an agreement at the EU Delegation office today.

European Council President Charles Michel made a new proposal to the Georgian Dream and the opposition yesterday. According to the mediators' document, the individuals assessed as political prisoners should be released within a week after the signing of the agreement between the government and the opposition. In addition, according to Charles Michel, early elections in Georgia should be called in 2022 if the Georgian Dream gets less than 43% of votes in the local elections", Hartzell said.

Former US Ambassador to NATO Kurt Volker stated that the agreement is 'perhaps the last best chance to get out of the current crisis'.

The EU-brokered agreement, which has full support from the US government, is perhaps the last best chance to get out of the current crisis.  It is also the first and necessary step on the path toward normalisation of democratic politics in Georgia.  There is clearly a lot more to do, but it is necessary to start somewhere. I commend all those MP's from all backgrounds who felt that the country's interests come first, and that signing this agreement is the right step at this time. I hope others join them, and that all aspects of the agreement will be implemented", he stated.

In his statement President Michel recalled how six weeks ago he met political parties in Tbilisi and called on them to relaunch political dialogue. 

I put on the table five substantive points that needed to be addressed to overcome the challenges. I promised to you I would remain engaged. I appointed my Personal Envoy, Danielsson, who visited Georgia twice and I asked my team to accompany the process. Six weeks later, the crisis is over. I want to thank you all for your commitment and courage to put the differences aside in the interest of Georgia", said Michel, adding that this agreement is not the 'finish line' but is the starting point for all political parties' work towards consolidating Georgian democracy and taking Georgia forward on its Euro-Atlantic future.

Michel concluded that this was 'a truly European way of resolving the crisis'.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda posted on his Twitter that he welcomes an agreement reached between political parties in Georgia.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania Bogdan Aurescu also welcomed the EU mediated agreement between political parties in Georgia, saying 'this is a good sign that Georgia is continuing on to the right direction towards consolidating democracy and on the EU path'.

A post on official Twitter account of the British Embassy in Tbilisi reads that the embassy is calling on all political parties who have not yet signed the agreement to have the courage to do so.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden Ann Linde posted on her Twitter account:

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