EU Ambassador urges Georgian opposition to remain in Parliament, take “constructive” approach on EU conditions

Paweł Herczyński, the Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia, on Monday called on the domestic opposition to remain in the Parliament and take a “constructive” approach on the ongoing work for implementing the European Union conditions for granting the country the membership candidate status. 

In an interview with the local news agency InterPressNews, coming on the backdrop of plans by the United National Movement opposition party to boycott the legislative body, Herczyński said while peaceful protest was part of any democratic system, the “main political discussion” should take place in the Parliament.

I would like to call on everyone in Georgia - both the Government and the opposition - to work together to achieve maximum progress on the [EU] recommendations. This clearly requires inclusiveness on the part of the Government and also requires a constructive approach on the part of the opposition, and the place where this discussion should take place is the Georgian Parliament”, Herczyński said.

“I very clearly support the opposition to remain in the Parliament, to be engaged and work constructively so that Georgia continues to move towards EU membership”, he noted.

On February 6, UNM Chair Levan Khabeishvili announced the party’s boycott of the legislative body and “permanent rallies”, in response to a court ruling that denied the former President and UNM founder Mikheil Saakashvili release or postponement of his prison term on health grounds.