EU-Georgia relations jeopardised by current government

"The Georgian Government came into existence through peaceful and democratic elections, but is now risking forfeiting its inheritance. Its actions are jeopardising Georgia's future qualifications for deeper cooperation with the European Union", said Gunnar Hökmark MEP at the opening of the EPP Group conference ‘Where is Georgia heading?’.

"Georgia was one of the best performing partners in the Eastern European Neighbourhood and we were looking forward to concluding the association agreement with them. However, the status of the current government and its acts against the opposition, democratic foundations and independence of the judiciary, threaten the success of the negotiations", said Krzysztof Lisek MEP, Vice-Chairman of the Security and Defence Subcommittee of the European Parliament.

"Through the politicisation of the judicial system, the Georgian Government is on its way to undermining the country's democracy. It is reprehensible to include the judicial system as part of the Government's measures against leading opposition representatives. It is unacceptable that representatives of the political majority and the Government are threatening the opposition with legal action", stressed Gunnar Hökmark MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group.

Krzysztof Lisek MEP, EPP Group Rapporteur for Georgia, said that sometimes it is necessary to tell the truth between friends rather than to hide the facts. "I call on the government of Georgia not to jeopardise the democratic transition and to fully engage in finding a dialogue with the opposition and to work together on European integration. In this respect, I want to reiterate that prosecution and the arrest of opposition politicians are contrary to EU goals and are moving Georgia further away."

"Georgia belongs to Europe and should be aware that there is an open door to enhanced cooperation. Therefore, it is now of vital importance that the present Georgian government demonstrates proof of respect for both the opposition and for the fundamental rules of the rule of law”, concluded Gunnar Hökmark.