EU urges all parties to ‘step up efforts to de-escalate, come together to find common ground’
The statement reads that the European Union will remain attentive to developments in this regard. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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The spokesperson of the EU External Action Service has released a statement on the arrest of the United National Movement chair Nika Melia which reads that political polarisation in Georgia 'has regrettably further deepened' since then and damages Georgia's democracy.
The European Union urges all parties to step up efforts to de-escalate and come together to find common ground.
Starting with those in power, we expect the government to provide inclusive leadership, putting the interests of the Georgian people first. A fair, independent and accountable judiciary is also paramount... It is crucial that the opposition plays a constructive role, including by joining the parliament, to further consolidate democracy and the rule of law in Georgia, and to help shape the country’s reform path", reads the statement.
The statement reads that the European Union will remain attentive to developments in this regard.
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) monitoring co-rapporteurs for Georgia Titus Corlatean and Claude Kern have expressed their concern over the recent developments in Tbilisi. European Parliament members Marina Kaljurand and Sven Mikser have also called on the ruling party and opposition 'to immediately take necessary steps to de-escalate political tensions'.
Georgian opposition parties have demanded the imposition of sanctions against politicians, judges and the law enforcers who participated in the recent arrest of the head of the United National Movement (UNM) opposition party Nika Melia and who ‘act against the rule of law.’
US President Joe Biden’s National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has responded to the recent arrest of the head of the United National Movement (UNM) opposition party in Georgia Nika Melia and called on political parties in the country ‘to return to negotiations in support of Georgian democracy.’
Georgian opposition politicians gathered at the residence of European Union Ambassador Carl Hartzel to discuss the recent developments in the country following the detention of United National Movement chair Nika Melia. United States Ambassador Kelly Degnan also joined the meeting.