Association Council: EU calls for a swift resolution to the ongoing political crisis
By Natalia Kochiashvili
Wednesday, March 17
The European Union and Georgia held the 6th meeting of the Association council on 16 March 2021. The council welcomed Georgia’s progress on its European path, including in the challenging COVID-19 context, and recognised the efforts of the Georgian Government to contain the virus as well as to ensure targeted social assistance to those in need.
The Association council noted that the elections of 31 October and 21 November 2020 were competitive and that, overall, fundamental freedoms were respected. It agreed on the importance of addressing all recommendations related to the shortcomings identified by international observers, including OSCE/ODIHR, through ambitious and inclusive electoral reform to strengthen the electoral environment and render it more favourable for the democratic conduct of elections.
Vice-President of the European Commission and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles stated at the press conference following the EU-Georgia Association Council that this meeting was held in a ‘pivotal moment’ for Georgia amid the current political crisis.
“Since the last parliamentary elections in Autumn, the EU has repeatedly said that all political actors need to find common ground and look for a way forward from the current political situation,” Borrell said.
As he noted, this is especially essential while Georgia has to deal with the coronavirus pandemic as well as move forward with its ‘wide-reaching reform agenda’ including electoral and judiciary reforms.
The Association council strongly regretted the deepening political polarisation in Georgia. The EU called for a swift resolution to the ongoing political situation, for all parties to step up efforts to de-escalate the situation and come together to identify and agree on common ground. The Association council agreed that it was vital for all actors to continue working, in the EU-supported mediation, to find an early resolution to Georgia’s political crisis.
The council reiterated its call on all political actors to work together and to maintain open dialogue in Georgia, including with civil society, to further strengthen democratic institutions, consolidate pluralistic democracy, and advance reforms. Both sides stressed the need to continue the successful cooperation between the EU and Georgia on strategic communication and countering disinformation.
“It’s not by boycotting Parliament that we can look for solutions in the framework of political pluralism. All parties, all political actors within Georgia must look at the wider consequences of the current situation and we have been asking everybody to put the interest of Georgian people first and find compromises”, Borrell said, noting that the responsibility rests with the ruling party and the government to find a way forward.
Asked by a journalist if he thinks the new parliamentary elections could be an effective solution, Borrell said that it’s not up to him to decide whether new elections should be held in Georgia and all he can say is that the OSCE considers the elections in Georgia to be free and fair.
On the other hand, Georgian PM Garibashvili also answered this question, saying it is not his prerogative to decide when the elections will be held. “All international organizations, OSCE, ODIHR, all recognized international observers, say that the elections were competitive, free and fair. The next parliamentary elections will be held in 2024,” Gharibashvili announced.
The Association Council welcomed the progress made in the implementation of Georgia's Human Rights Strategy and its Action Plan, as well as the important work of the Human Rights Protection Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The EU recognised Georgia’s efforts in this area and encouraged Georgia to continue efforts to effectively implement the anti-discrimination law and to ensure protection for all persons belonging to minorities, and ensure gender equality.
Both sides welcomed the progress made by Georgia in the implementation of the Association Agreement, including its Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA). The EU and Georgia agreed to identify further products with export potential to the EU, for which the EU can assist. The Association Council welcomed the ongoing work to draft a new SME Development Strategy 2021-2025 and the EU side confirmed its readiness to support its implementation.
The EU reiterated its firm support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders. The Association council took note of the judgment of 21 January 2021 of the European Court of Human Rights Grand Chamber in the inter-State case concerning the armed conflict between Georgia and the Russian Federation in August 2008 and its consequences which concluded that after the 12 August 2008 the Russian Federation, “exercising effective control over Abkhazia and South Ossetia,” violated several provisions of the European Convention of Human Rights.
The Association council reiterated the obligation for the Russian Federation to fulfill its international obligations including under the EU-mediated 12 August 2008 Ceasefire Agreement, notably to withdraw its military forces from the territory of Georgia and remove all impediments for the establishment of international security mechanisms therein. The Association council further urged the Russian Federation to provide EUMM access to the whole territory of Georgia, in line with its mandate. The Association council also called for access to international humanitarian and human rights mechanisms of relevant international organisations.
