Opposition’s involvement in EU conditions implementation “critical” - EU ambassador
The EU ambassador to Georgia called on Georgian political stakeholders to work together for the country’s European integration. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Tweet 
Share
Pawel Herczynski, the ambassador of the European Union to Georgia, on Tuesday said “constructive” involvement of the country’s opposition parties, along with the government, was “critically important” for the fulfillment of the 12-point conditions set by the bloc to grant the country its membership candidate status.
The ambassador stressed the work to meet the recommendations - outlined by the European Commission in June - should be an “inclusive process” as it concerns state interests.
He noted Georgia’s efforts for the status would be evaluated next year as part of an expanded process, and said he “sincerely” hoped the country would receive the status and get promoted on its European integration path.
But it depends on the political elite of Georgia and how they implement the 12 recommendations. The recommendations should be implemented inclusively. It requires everyone to work together, it requires the government to be open to the opposition, and the opposition to work constructively with the government”, said the diplomat.
Some of the domestic opposition parties, including the largest opposition group - the United National Movement - have refused to join the work with the ruling Georgian Dream party to meet the conditions, which call for a series of judiciary, electoral and other amendments.
The ruling party has claimed a “radical part” of the opposition is “doing its utmost to hamper” the country’s European integration process.
The ruling Georgian Dream party on Wednesday initiated a bill proposing the creation of an anti-corruption bureau, as part of efforts to fulfil the European Union’s conditions for granting the country the membership candidate status.
The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on Wednesday addressed citizens in countries of the Western Balkans as well as Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia by telling them “you are part of our family, your future is in our Union, and our Union is not complete without you”.
The working group proposed by the ruling Georgian Dream party in the Parliament and tasked with revising domestic electoral laws in line with the European Commission conditions for the country’s EU membership candidacy held its first meeting on Thursday.
The ruling Georgian Dream party on Friday presented its strategy for fulfilling the 12-point conditions outlined by the European Council for granting the country the European Union membership candidate status later this year.
Archil Talakvadze, the Georgian parliament’s vice speaker, on Wednesday said the domestic opposition had attempted to portray the conditions set by the European Union for granting the country the membership candidate status as “something very unusual and negative”, which he claimed stemmed from its efforts to act “against the country’s European integration”.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Wednesday praised the recent report by the Council of the European Union that said Georgia’s future “lies with the EU” and commended the “important steps” being made by the country in its reform process.