US, UK urge Georgian ruling party, opposition to work together to strengthen democracy, achieve political stability
The US and the UK call on all political parties in Georgia to work together to achieve political stability. Photo: Salome Zurabishvili's Facebook page
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Congressmen Adam Kinzinger and Gerry Connolly, co-chairs of the House Georgia Caucus, say that the ruling Georgian Dream ‘party’s decision to walk away from the April 19 parliamentary deal ‘sadly highlights the ongoing challenges to Georgia’s democracy’.
We are disappointed by this development and by both the opposition parties refusal to join the agreement and the overall polarisation of politics in Tbilisi. We urge all parties to take a step back, reassess their priorities, and work together to strengthen Georgia’s democracy – not tear it down”, they say in a joint statement.
It further notes that ‘only through the legislative process can the tough issues of governing be solved’.
Those who want to see Georgia’s democracy fail are emboldened when politicians backtrack, point fingers, and spread conspiracies. We stand ready to assist where we can in order to help restore trust in Georgia’s democracy”, the Congressmen said.
Those who want to see democracy fail are emboldened when politicians backtrack, point fingers, and spread conspiracies.
— Adam Kinzinger (@RepKinzinger) July 29, 2021
We stand ready to assist where we can in order to help restore trust in Georgia’s ???????? democracy. https://t.co/A6DFxEEzJj
The United Kingdom has also expressed its concern.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said that ‘it is in Georgia’s best interests for all political parties to work together to achieve political stability and reach consensus for the benefit of all the Georgian people’.
A functioning, stable democracy is an important prerequisite for Georgia’s progress along its chosen path of Euro-Atlantic integration. Recent developments, including unrestrained attacks on journalists covering Tbilisi Pride on 5 July, have raised doubts about Georgia’s political trajectory”, the statement reads.
UK urges all political parties in Georgia ‘to abide by the spirit of the 19 April agreement, and refocus efforts to deliver the series of judicial, electoral and constitutional reforms envisaged by the agreement’.
???????? შეშფოთებას გამოთქვამს ქართული ოცნების მიერ 19 აპრილის შეთანხმების ანულირებასთან დაკავშირებით, რომელიც პოლიტიკური ჩიხის დასრულებას ითვალისწინებდა. The UK has expressed its concern after the Georgian Dream party withdrew from an Agreement made on 19 April.https://t.co/RCIS3jxTMq
— UK in Georgia (@UKinGeorgia) July 29, 2021
Together with other international partners, the UK ‘stands ready to assist Georgia to seize the opportunity to develop the strong democratic institutions that are so urgently needed to promote stability and improve resilience to external threats’.
Three leading members of the European Parliament (MEPs) Marina Kaljurand, Sven Mikser and Viola von Cramon-Taubadel are ‘surprised and disappointed by the unexpected decision’ of the ruling Georgian Dream party to withdraw unilaterally from the April 19 agreement brokered by European Council President Charles Michel.
The head of opposition United National Movement (UNM) party Nika Melia, who has been nominated for Tbilisi mayor by several opposition parties, has stated he is giving up his parliamentary mandate to prepare for the October 2 municipal elections.
Georgia’s former ambassador to the EU, Natalie Sabanadze, who resigned back in March 2021 after eight years in the post, has joined the political party of former Georgian PM Giorgi Gakharia For Georgia, Gakharia has confirmed. Sabanadze attended yesterday’s meeting with MEP Viola von Cramon along with Gakharia to discuss the situation created after the ruling party’s withdrawal from the EU-mediated agreement.
Opposition MP Tamar Kordzaia has boycotted the parliamentary activities after the ruling Georgian Dream party’s withdrawal from the EU-mediated agreement. Kordzaia told IPN that she signed the agreement because ‘the western course is important,’ noting that parliamentary cooperation with the Georgian Dream is impossible.
The US Embassy in Georgia has responded to the ruling party’s exit from the EU-mediated agreement and stated that ‘Washington is growing increasingly alarmed about repeated setbacks to Georgia’s democratic future.’ The ruling Georgian Dream party announced yesterday that the agreement initiated by the European Council President Charles Michel ‘completed its mission’ and left the agreement.