EU mediator Christian Danielsson meets with Georgian political parties
European Council President Charles Michel has mandated Christian Danielsson (centre) to mediate the talks between the ruling party and opposition in Georgia. Photo: EU Delegation to Georgia/Twitter
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EU mediator Christian Danielsson has met with the ruling Georgian Dream party and opposition amid the current political tension in Georgia.
The European Union Delegation to Georgia has reported that Danielsson, who arrived in Georgia yesterday, has held separate meetings with different parties.
He met with the Georgian Dream and the United National Movement yesterday:
Christian Danielsson meets representatives of Georgian Dream during his visit to Georgia as @eucopresident envoy to the EU mediated political dialogue. pic.twitter.com/Xj8wDNsW3r
— EU Delegation Georgia ???????? (@EUinGeorgia) March 12, 2021
Christian Danielsson meets representatives of United National Movement Block during his visit to Georgia as @eucopresident envoy to the EU mediated political dialogue. pic.twitter.com/8majnxbWXD
— EU Delegation Georgia ???????? (@EUinGeorgia) March 12, 2021
Today he spoke with the rest of opposition parties who have won parliamentary seats last year, including European Georgia, Strategy Aghmashenebeli, Lelo, Girchi, Alliance of Patriots, Citizens and Labour Party.
Although the representatives of political parties did not speak about the meetings in details, they hope that the ruling party and opposition will eventually manage to find consensus.
Christian Danielsson meets representatives of European Georgia, Strategy Aghmashenebeli, Lelo, Girchi - More Freedom & Girchi during his visit to Georgia as @eucopresident envoy to the EU mediated political dialogue. pic.twitter.com/OV80HnBdPN
— EU Delegation Georgia ???????? (@EUinGeorgia) March 13, 2021
Christian Danielsson meets representatives of Alliance of Patriots, Citizens & Labour Party during his visit to Georgia as @eucopresident envoy to the EU mediated political dialogue. pic.twitter.com/DPhKOFragY
— EU Delegation Georgia ???????? (@EUinGeorgia) March 13, 2021
Leader of Strategy Aghmashenebeli Giorgi Vashadze told journalists after the meeting that this was more of an introductory meeting where the parties shared their positions on current political issues.
However, he said that the opposition politicians underscored that snap elections and release of political prisoners remain their top priorities.
One of the members of Girchi Vakhtang Megrelishvili has also stated that the issue related to the release of political prisoners could even serve as the ‘precondition’ for ‘making peace’ among the parties.
On the first day of his arrival Danielsson has met with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and President Salome Zurabishvili as well.
Summary to the first day of Christian Danielsson’s @DanielssonEU visit to Georgia as @eucopresident envoy to EU mediated political dialogue. pic.twitter.com/kzkV6eVRAj
— EU Delegation Georgia ???????? (@EUinGeorgia) March 12, 2021
Unrest in Georgia was sparked after the recent detention of United National Movement chair Nika Melia shortly after the parliament approved Irakli Garibashvili prime minister.
The dialogue between the ruling party and the opposition resumed during the recent visit of the European Council President Charles Michel to Georgia on March 1.
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 amid the current political deadlock.