EU Ambassador says he hopes upcoming Georgian elections will be “free, fair”

Paweł Herczyński, the European Union Ambassador to Georgia, on Friday said he “sincerely hoped” the Georgian Parliamentary elections next week would be “free and fair and in accordance with the highest international standards”.

In his remarks, Herczyński noted the EU would wait for the assessment of the vote by the monitoring mission of the Organisation for Security and Co-Operation in Europe Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights.

The Georgian authorities have invited international observers. There are several local non-governmental organisations that are also involved in the election observation process. The European Union will wait for the assessment of the OSCE/ODIHR mission”, the diplomat said.

“The press conference will be held on the second day of the elections. We will also listen carefully to the opinions of other election observers. I sincerely hope that the elections will be free and fair and will be held in accordance with the highest international standards”, he continued.

Herczyński also stressed Georgia would “never become a member” of the EU “with one-party system, with no political opposition, with no civil society organisations operating freely, and with no free, independent media”.

The EU diplomat noted Georgians had the opportunity to become a member of the bloc, but added “it is necessary to do so based on conditions that are not subject to discussion”.

Herczyński added the bloc was not taking part in the elections, and further pointed that “we call on the citizens of Georgia, all Georgians, to go to the elections and vote”.

It's your elections, it's up to you. Whatever you decide, the EU will respect your choice. This is the biggest difference between the European Union and the Soviet Union”, he said.

He further added it was “up to Georgian citizens to decide what future they want”.