MEPs ‘deeply disappointed’ by failure of EU-mediated talks in Georgia, warn of difficulties in EU financial aid
MEPs have blamed both the ruling Georgian Dream party and the opposition for failing the EU-mediated talks. Photo: TI EU.
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Seven MEPs have released a joint statement saying that they are ‘deeply disappointed’ with political leaders in Georgia ‘for their inability’ to reach an agreement in the EU-mediated talks last Tuesday on election-related issues and the release of opposition figures.
Both the ruling and the main opposition parties taking part in the discussions are to be blamed for this outcome and a special responsibility lies with the party in government,” said the statement.
They said that the proposal offered by EU-mediator in the talks Christian Danielsson was ‘in the best interests of Georgia.’
A clear statement on the current crisis in #Georgia by the lead #MEP s. It is highly frustrating for all of us (friends of Georgia) in the @Europarl_EN to see that the political elite is not willing to find an end in this mess. People of GEO deserve a solution asap. https://t.co/sapqjC11iQ
— Viola von Cramon (@ViolavonCramon) April 1, 2021
The content of this proposal is indeed the right way ahead for Georgia: ambitious electoral and judicial reforms, meaningful sharing of responsibilities in the Georgian Parliament and, most importantly, a solution on future elections and on two cases of politicised justice,” said the statement.
The MEPs said that following the refusal from the political parties to compromise, ‘Georgia’s leaders should not expect a return to business as usual from the European Union.’
The European Parliament in particular will call for consequences in terms of EU financial assistance, including both a suspension of further disbursements of and an increase in conditionality linked to EU Macro Financial Assistance and budget support programmes,” said the statement.
Danielsson, who was earlier sent to Georgia for mediation by the European Council President Charles Michel on March 12, returned back to Tbilisi on March 27 after the failure of his previous mediation efforts.
However, his second effort also failed.
The ruling Georgian Dream party says that they were ready to sign an agreement offered by the EU mediator in the talks with the opposition if several changes were introduced in it.
The ruling Georgian Dream party and the opposition have failed to come to an agreement in EU-mediated talks for the second time. The document offered by EU mediator Christian Danielsson yesterday which concerned ‘ambitious electoral and judicial reform’ and offered amnesty for suspects and convicts of the June 2019 protests in Tbilisi was not signed by any of the parties.
The ruling Georgian Dream party says that the chance is about fifty-fifty of reaching an agreement with the parliamentary opposition on election-related issues and the release of imprisoned opposition figures amid the current political tension. The statement came after today’s meeting with the EU mediator in talks between the ruling party and the opposition Christian Danielsson who returned to Tbilisi on March 27 after previous mediation efforts failed earlier this month.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has stated that the ruling Georgian Dream party is ready for a ‘constructive dialogue’ with the opposition to solve the current political tension ‘as soon as possible.’ Garibashvili made the statement earlier today after his meeting with EU mediator Christian Danielsson who returned back to Tbilisi on March 27 after the failure of his previous mediation efforts earlier this month.
US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State George Kent has reacted to the failed EU-mediated talks between Georgian political parties and has told the Voice of America Georgian bureau that the Georgian government ‘is risking the goodwill’ of the US Senate ‘which has been too generous to Georgia over years’ in providing the financial aid.
US foreign policy expert and former ambassador to NATO Kurt Volker does not see the need for repeat parliamentary elections in Georgia. Volker told TV Pirveli media outlet that despite certain violations which need to be investigated, the OSCE/ODIHR has recognised last year’s elections as transparent and legitimate.
Members of European Parliament Marina Kaljurand, Andrius Kubilius and Viola von Cramon-Taubadel have spoken about the EU’s mediation efforts in Georgia and the recent failure to reach an agreement between the political parties.
European Parliament members Viola von Cramon-Taubadel and Marina Kaljurand call on the Georgian opposition to follow the example of the ruling party and sign the EU-proposed agreement to solve the current political crisis.
Opposition United National Movement members refuse to sign any agreement with the ruling Georgian Dream party until their leader Nika Melia is released from prison. UNM member Koba Nakopia said until ‘the chair of the main opposition party is detained’ the agreement with the Georgian Dream is ‘impossible’.
MEP Viola Von Cramon has stated while debating the European Parliament’s resolution on Russian aggression in Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia that the EU should not be naive when it comes to the Russian government and ‘Putin’s regime.’