EU Ambassador Urges Georgia to Ensure Fair Elections, Warns of Consequences for Reform Delays
By Messenger Staff
Monday, September 23, 2024
EU Ambassador to Georgia, Pawel Herczynski, spoke on September 20, following a meeting with ISFED, a local election monitoring group, emphasizing the crucial role of the upcoming parliamentary elections in shaping Georgia's future with the European Union. He stressed the importance of "free, fair, competitive, transparent and inclusive elections," urging all political parties, especially the Government, to ensure a peaceful campaign. "Of course, the Government has an additional responsibility to ensure that the elections are conducted in accordance with the best international standards," he stated.
Herczynski reaffirmed the EU's support for civil society organizations, particularly those monitoring elections, calling their role "key" to maintaining high electoral standards. He expressed optimism about post-election reforms, hoping "we will have a new government and whoever will win the elections.this new government will restart reforms needed for Georgia to advance on the EU path."
When asked about the potential suspension of visa-free travel for Georgian citizens, Herczynski acknowledged the possibility, noting, "In case things deteriorate, of course, we are in a position to use different elements of our toolbox and the temporary suspension of the visa free regime is one of them," while also stating that "all options are on the table" depending on how the situation evolves.
Expressing concern over Georgia's recent backslide on reforms, he said, "We are clearly concerned that instead of introducing reforms that would bring Georgia closer to the European Union, unfortunately, in the recent months, we had several developments that are increasing the distance between Georgia and the European Union." Despite this, Herczynski remained hopeful for a shift in direction, particularly if reforms are prioritized by the next government.
On the subject of the upcoming elections, Herczynski urged all citizens to participate, describing voting as both a constitutional right and civic duty. "It is for Georgians to decide in what country they want to live," he remarked, but added that if Georgia hopes to continue its path toward the EU, it must adhere to certain "non-negotiable" principles, including the rule of law and respect for human rights, with special attention to minority rights.
In response to concerns about the fairness of the elections, Herczynski warned that if the elections are not free and fair, the EU may consider actions similar to those taken in Belarus. He explained, "The elections in Belarus were stolen and this is why we have introduced a wide range of different measures," but he also emphasized that this is the "worst-case scenario" and expressed hope that Georgia's elections will meet international standards.
When asked about the likelihood of Georgia opening EU accession talks, Herczynski was skeptical, saying it was "highly unlikely" that the European Commission would issue a positive recommendation. He attributed this to the country's lack of progress on reforms, stating, "We have wasted so much time, practically the whole year." However, he did note that "this can be reversed" if the new government prioritizes reforms, reaffirming the EU's readiness to support Georgia's efforts moving forward.
When questioned about Bidzina Ivanishvili's statement suggesting that Georgia should apologize to Ossetians for the August war, Herczynski declined to comment directly. Instead, he reiterated the EU's firm support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, placing the blame for "chaos and destruction" on Russia, not only in Georgia but also in Ukraine and other regions worldwide.
