EU Official Borrell Concerned Over Georgia’s ‘Stalled’ Judiciary, Electoral Reforms

By Khatia Bzhalava

Thursday, December 23

According to the High-Level Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, the EU will continue to advocate for ambitious reforms based on the EU-Georgia Association Agreement.

Borrell underscored that those countries which remain committed to reforms will benefit from the EU.

Vice-President of the European Commission and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell has stated that he shares the concerns of Georgian opposition about the ‘stalled’ judiciary and electoral reforms. In his letter sent to eight Georgian opposition politicians, Borrell stresses that these “reforms go to the essence of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement.”

Borrell’s letter reads that the timely adoption and implementation of inclusive reforms will facilitate Georgia’s progress in further building the country’s democracy and resilience, and “ending the damaging polarization currently affecting the Georgian political system.”

He underlined that even though the primary responsibility lies with the government, both the government and the opposition should contribute to the de-escalation and to pursuing a ‘constructive reform agenda’.

Borrell also stressed that it is important to pay special attention to the justice sector and democratic reforms.

“As outlined in the Joint Declaration of the Eastern Partnership Summit of 15 December, the scope and depth of our cooperation will continue to be shaped amongst other aspects, by the pace and quality of reforms,” he noted, adding that those countries which remain committed to implementing reforms will benefit from the EU.

According to the High Representative, the EU will continue to advocate for ambitious reforms based on the EU-Georgia Association Agreement.

Borrell’s letter comes in response to the opposition’s letter sent to European Council President Charles Michel, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi, and Josep Borrell on December 9. Eight opposition politicians expressed concerns regarding political development in the country and the ruling Georgian Dream (GD)s' withdrawal from the EU-mediated April 19 agreement. The address reads that before annulling the document, GD ‘undermined’ it by taking actions contradicting the agreement.

“Continuing judicial appointments, stalling reforms of the judiciary, incomplete implementation of the electoral reforms, and selective reading of the agreement on amnesty law are just a few examples of this,” the Georgian opposition’s letter reads.