European Parliament member on EU-mediation in Georgia: we expect first step from ruling party, but others have to respect, follow

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. 

MEP Kaljurand (S&D, Estonia) said in her remarks that although the MEPs expect ‘the first step from the governing party, but the others have to respect it and to follow it’. 

She said the current political deadlock is not only the Georgian internal issue, but ‘much wider’ - ‘it’s the future of Georgia-EU relations’.

Europe will not be endlessly offering its high level visits, its mediation. You can’t expect higher commitment than at the moment - it’s the personal commitment of President Charles Michele - can’t go higher”, the Estonian MEP said. 

European Council President Charles Michel announced on March 22 that his special envoy would travel back to Georgia to help the parties come to an agreement. Photo: EU Delegation to Georgia

Kaljurand further explained the importance of the MEPs' recent joint statement expressing their disappointment over the political developments in Georgia. 

In the statement we criticised all political leaders of Georgia involved in the mediation process because the mediation can’t be done by the EU. Compromise can’t be agreed by the EU”, she said.

MEP Kaljurand said that EU-mediator Christian Danielsson ‘can’t decide the future of Georgia and make political decisions' on behalf of Georgian political leaders - 'it has to be done by Georgians’. 

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Stating that although first of all they expect ‘a bit more’ from the governing party ‘than from others’ Kaljurand said it does not mean that the opposition should not respect what the ruling party is doing. 

It’s really, really unfortunate that not all politicians have picked up the mandates. Because if you want to change and make reforms in your country you have to be in parliament; parliament needs opposition, parliament needs strong, vocal opposition. Only that is the way for democratic reforms and democratic developments”, she concluded.

The 10th convocation of the parliament of Georgia has held its first session without the opposition's presence followinf the parliamentary elections last year. Photo: Parliament of Georgia

MEP Kubilius (EPP, Lithuania) also noted in his remarks that despite their critical and painful remarks to the Georgian political community the MEPs express their concern because they love this country.

Viola von Cramon-Taubadel (The Greens/EFA, Germany) stated as well that the MEPs want to support Georgia on its way to European Union, but they need 'the right partners' in the Georgian parliament and in the government 'who understand how to run a country'.  

Saying that they also need strong opposition in parliament not outside, the German MEP noted that the boycott is not acceptable. 

I was not happy with this boycott of the opposition parties from the very beginning because they have not even waited until the final result of OSCE/ODIHR recommendation or assessment was out. They have decided already during the election night that they will go for a boycott”, she said. 

The entire virtual roundtable is available on the Facebook page of the Georgian Institute of Politics:

The two rounds of EU mediation efforts led by Christian Danielsson between the Georgian ruling party and the opposition have failed. 

Danielsson, who was earlier sent to Georgia for mediation by the European Council President Charles Michel on March 12, returned to Tbilisi on March 27 after the failure of his previous mediation efforts. 

The Georgian opposition parties which have won seats in the 10th convocation of the Georgian parliament say that the last year parliamentary elections were rigged in favour of the ruling party, therefore, they have been demanding repeat elections since November 2020. 

The recent arrest of the head of the United National Movement opposition party Nika Melia for his refusal to pay bail on February 23, 2021(in the case of June 2019 protests) has further escalated the political tension.