European Parliament's Rapporteur on Georgia Sven Mikser Pays Official Visit to Tbilisi

By Natalia Kochiashvili

Friday, February 4, 2022

“The European Parliament and the EU member states stand by Georgia when it comes to supporting territorial integrity, the country's right to decide its own aspirations.”

“The search for a compromise is good, but he himself said that if a compromise cannot be found, we should not stop and continue the movement,” Samkharadze said.

European Parliament Rapporteur for Georgia, MEP Sven Mikser (S&D, Estonia) arrived in Tbilisi on February 2. He first met Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili.

At the meeting, parties discussed the ‘national accord’ process, initiated by President herself to promote dialogue among Georgian political parties to overcome protracted polarization.MEP Mikser said in a tweet that the sides discussed ‘how to widen the space for political debate on urgent issues of concern to Georgian society.

The next day, MEP visited the Parliament of Georgia, where separate meetings were held with the Speaker of the Parliament and opposition, Mikser attended the committee hearing as well.

“I want to encourage Georgia to be ambitious. All countries have the right to apply for membership, but the enlargement is a separate issue, separate from the Eastern Partnership. The Association Agreement is a very important step in the process of striving for integration, but it does not automatically lead the country to candidacy. The success of this process depends on a number of issues, but the readiness of the country is critical.” he said while addressing a joint sitting of the European Integration and External Relations Committee.

MEP added that the door of this opportunity opens and closes and for a very long time Georgia may have to wait for the door to open next time, once again encouraging an ambitious approach and noting that most of the reforms that are part of the Association Agreement benefit the Georgian business climate and the Georgian society.

He reiterated the European Parliament’s, as well as the EU member states’ support of Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the country’s right to choose the path, to decide its own aspirations, and to apply to international organizations, which is a fundamental principle in the Euro-Atlantic community.

“There is a very strong position in the agreement that the old concept of areas of privileged interests and influence should not be returned by Russia or any other country,” Mikser announced, meaning that a third country should not have a veto over the aspirations of aspirant countries in the Euro-Atlantic community.

In addition, MEP says that the political class and decision-makers should actually live up to people’s expectations, not disappoint people.

According to him, politics is becoming more and more antagonistic and polarized in many countries around the world and Georgia is one example where political antagonism and political polarization periodically cover the entire political discourse and process. Mikser recalled the EU’s delegation to Georgia and the agreement reached at the request of the President of the Council of the EU, noting that the EU is ready to help ease the process when needed, but it’s the job of the Georgian people to solve the challenges facing the country.

Akaki Minashvili, a member of the United National Movement, asked MEP about the detained former President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, claiming that Saakashvili has certain health problems and does not have access to properly qualified doctors and experts. As the rapporteur of the European Parliament stated, the fundamental principle is that everyone should have the right to humane, fair treatment.

Nikoloz Samkharadze, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee said “We are waiting for a new agenda from the EU, which envisages an action plan for the next 6 years,” adding that it is important that Georgia actively pursues the implementation of reforms.

He addressed Sven Mixer, MEP, to remove the term ‘South Ossetia’ from official documents of the EU and its structures, since Georgia doesn’t recognize this Stalinist term, coined in 1922 and it is not pleasant when its partners use it.

“My most obedient request will be to think about this issue and if anything is needed from us, an official adjustment, we will do it,“ Samkharadze said.

Mikser responded to this remark saying that in the future when formulating European documents related to Georgia, the issue of wording will be taken into account.

Mikser also made comments, saying that both the ruling party and most of the opposition parties are well aware of the need to support Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty. According to him, everyone also understands the danger of Russian aggression. However, it would be good if Georgian politicians had a unified position to the end.

“I think these debates have revealed one side of Georgian politics - that is, that there is no tradition and respect among Georgian politicians for opportunities for compromise, for building bridges. It is perceived in the European Parliament as a sign of strength, but for many Georgian politicians it seems to be a sign of weakness, which is unfortunate,” MEP said, noting that both sides should take care of how to correct the possibility of reaching compromises.

According to him, the initial environment allowed Georgian politicians to take a united stand, and the fact is that this rare opportunity to demonstrate unity was missed.