EU mediator: Georgian political parties should themselves find an outcome, we just mediate
The EU mediator in the talks between the ruling Georgian Dream party and the opposition Christian Danielsson (L) arrived in Georgia earlier today and has already met with the Georgian PM. Photo: EU in Georgia press office.
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The EU mediator in the talks between the ruling Georgian Dream party and the opposition amid the current political tension, Christian Danielsson, has stated that the parties should themselves find a solution to the situation with the help of mediation.
He stated that Georgia ‘is a valuable partner’ for the EU and that the EU is concerned by the ‘current political deadlock’ in the country.
Danielsson stated that Georgia faces different challenges related to the pandemic and the state economy and its the time for the political parties ‘to ensure all efforts’ to come to the agreement for the state welfare.
He said that he has launched his visit to Georgia ‘by listening to all parties.’
Georgian PM Irakli Garibashvili has tweeted after the meeting with Danielsson today.
Met @DanielssonEU. We appreciate the support of @eucopresident & the direct involvement of his personal representative in the political dialogue. This highlights the importance of ???????? for the ????????. We Reaffirmed @GovernmentGeo's readiness to fully commit to constructive dialogue.
— Irakli Garibashvili (@GharibashviliGe) March 12, 2021
I have already met with the president and the PM. During the day I will meet with the civil sector and representatives of political parties,” Danielsson said, adding that after the meetings he will see how the process may develop.
In the afternoon Danielsson will meet with Parliament Speaker Archil Talakvadze, MPs Irakli Kobakhidze and Kakheber Kuchava from the ruling party.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has tweeted:
.@DanielssonEU’s arrival to Tbilisi shows us that the EU will continue to work for the #democraticdevelopment of Georgia. A very productive meeting with the Special Envoy. Once again, each side must put country first and fight for depolarization and stability. pic.twitter.com/nVrc08Qjk0
— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) March 12, 2021
The European Council President Charles Michel has mandated Danielsson to lead a EU-backed mediation effort in Georgia to help the ruling Georgian Dream party and the opposition come to an agreement on the issue of repeat parliamentary elections and the release of the head of the United National Movement opposition party Nika Melia and the co-founder of the opposition-minded Mtavari Arkhi channel Giorgi Rurua.