Following the recent developments in Georgia, including the arrest of Nika Melia, the leader of the United National Movement, MEPs are calling all the parties to re-engage in dialogue and actively contribute to the de-escalation of political tensions. This is the only way forward for all responsible political actors if they do not want to jeopardise the country’s stability and aspirations for Euro-Atlantic co-operation, they said.

S&D MEP Marina Kaljurand, the chair of the delegation for relations with the South Caucasus:

“Georgia has for years been regarded as a model for all of the EU’s Eastern Partnership, praised for its socio-economic transition and pro-European reforms. Unfortunately, all these achievements are now at risk. There is no time to lose: instead of raising the stakes of party political battles, Georgia’s political actors must focus on the tasks ahead, namely addressing the socio-economic consequences of the pandemic and continuing pro-European reforms on democracy and the rule of law.
The current political crisis highlights the importance of continuing judiciary reforms in order to increase the independence of the judiciary and establish the highest judicial standards. This concerns in particular the appointment of Supreme Court judges.
The S&Ds support the commitment of the president of the European Council, Charles Michel, and his personal envoy, Christian Danielsson, to bring the parties back to the negotiating table and reach a comprehensive agreement”.

Anna Fotyga (Poland, ECR): “For decades I used to support Georgia, advocating the country’s Euro-Atlantic vocation. I still do, but time has come to voice my deepest possible concern. Since June 2019, we heard so many bad news coming from Tbilisi, with one exception probably, the agreement of March the 8th of the previous year marking accord between the opposition and the government. Bad news culminated [in] the period after elections and the recent storming of the opposition party headquarters and arbitrary detention of the leader. I hope for President Michel’s mediation and strongly support the newly appointed EU special envoy to Tbilisi. All of us, we have to put the utmost effort to facilitate dialogue and probably leading to new inclusive elections”.