MEPs welcome signing of EU-mediated proposal by majority of Georgian parties
MEPs have urged remaining opposition parties and individuals MPs to sign the agreement. Photo: EP.
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MEPs Marina Kaljurand, Sven Mikser and Viola Von Cramon have welcomed the signing of the EU-mediated proposal by majority of Georgian political parties to put an end to the political tension in Georgia which began after the 2020 parliamentary elections.
The MEPs have urged remaining opposition parties and individual MPs to show the ‘same courage for the greater good of Georgia.’
We wholeheartedly welcome the agreement reached on 19 April between the ruling Georgian Dream party and the majority of the opposition parties to put an end to Georgia's political stalemate by signing the new detailed proposal for 'A Way ahead for Georgia' put forward by European Council President Charles Michel. The new text builds on the previous proposals brokered by Special Envoy Christian Danielsson, addressing more comprehensively the issues of politicised justice, the improvement of the electoral framework and judicial reform,” said the MEPs.
???? Joint statement by the Chair of the @Europarl_EN Delegation for relations with the South Caucasus, @MarinaKaljurand, and the Standing Rapporteur on Georgia, @svenmikser, on the resolution of the political crisis in Georgia ????????.https://t.co/kD6meyhTvL ????
— AFET Committee Press (@EP_ForeignAff) April 21, 2021
They stated that the proposal ‘is politically balanced’ and places the needs and ‘legitimate expectations of all Georgian citizens’ at the centre of the debate.
The proposal by European Council President Michel released on April 18 covers electoral and justice reforms, offers a pardon for all violations and convictions stemming from the 19-21 June 2019 protests and the conduct of repeat parliamentary elections in 2022 if the ruling party fails to receive at least 43 per cent of votes in this year’s municipal elections.
The ruling Georgian Dream party, six opposition parties and individual opposition MPs have signed the agreement so far.
The United National Movement opposition party, European Georgia and Labour Party have not signed the agreement so far.
The US Department of State has urged the remaining opposition parties and individual MPs to sign the EU-mediated agreement to resolve the political tension in Georgia which began after the October 2020 parliamentary elections.
Georgian Prime Irakli Garibashvili has responded to signing the EU-proposal by majority of Georgian parties to solve the current political tension in the country and stated that ‘now, everyone, should be focused on solving major challenges the country faces.’
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.
The European Council President Charles Michel will visit Georgia in the afternoon to meet with the leaders of the political parties who signed his proposal yesterday in Tbilisi to solve the political tension in the country which began following the 2020 parliamentary elections. The proposal by Michel covers electoral and justice reforms, offers pardon for all violations and convictions stemming from the 19-21 June 2019 protests and the conduct of repeat parliamentary elections in 2022 if the ruling party fails to receive at least 43 per cent of votes in this year’s municipal elections.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has welcomed the recent EU-proposed agreement between the political forces in Georgia during a phone conversation with Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili.
Parliament Speaker Archil Talakvadze has announced his resignation today, however, he will continue his parliamentary activities as vice speaker. Talakvadze explained at a news briefing that following the recent political dialogue with the opposition and the consequent EU-proposed agreement, he decided to quit the speaker’s position.
European Parliament members Andrius Kubilius, Michael Gahler and Viola von Cramon-Taubadel call on the opposition United National Movement party to sign the EU-mediated agreement and enter the parliament of Georgia.