`I am afraid, after Georgian Dream's decision to "annul" the April 19th agreement, Georgia is farther from the EU than it was 3 months ago`, - Viola von Cramon-Taubadel, Member of the European Parliament, Lead member for Georgia at the European Parliament’s Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group (DEG) said at a news conference.
According to her, it does not happen for the first time when the Georgian Dream does not fulfill its promise.
`First of all, I want to start by expressing my support to you, Georgian Media, and especially to those 53 journalists who were brutally attacked by violent groups on July 5th. Georgian Dream's statements that failed to properly condemn the impunity or even emboldened the perpetrators are a very dangerous sign of backsliding democracy.
Protecting Media, even one as polarized as it is in Georgia, is a fundamental EU value. Other EU values are embodied in its motto "United in Diversity". Diversity means protecting everyone and everything - culture, traditions, religion but also minorities. With all its diversity and regard to the fundamental values of all human beings, Georgia is welcome and respected in the EU.
I am afraid, after Georgian Dream's decision to "annul" the April 19th agreement, Georgia is farther from the EU than it was 3 months ago
As a lead Member of the European Parliament’s Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group (DEG) for Georgia, I was tasked with leading a high-level mission to support dialogue between Georgian political parties and share European experience. After our full-scale mission in July was canceled due to a very high number of COVID-19 cases, I decided to hold the meetings at the Georgian Parliament without other members of our delegation.
Right at this moment, the Georgian Dream made unexpected and, in my opinion, the harmful decision for Georgian interests and withdrew from the agreement. This is in the end why I decided to cancel my meetings at the Georgian Parliament. The April 19th agreement was and is a fundament for the European Parliament's democracy support activities with the Georgian Parliament.
This is not the first time the Georgian Dream breaks its promise. "Annulling" the agreement irreparably breaches trust and renders the Georgian Dream unreliable. The excuses for "annulling" the agreement are unpersuasive and unserious. Georgian dream did not fulfill its obligations – appointment of judges without "ambitious judicial reform" is a good demonstration of that. This regrettable decision did not benefit Georgia, its people, its international friends. Georgian Dream's decision benefited the Kremlin. It is clear that we cannot go back to "business as usual". The EU will need to reconsider its relations with the Georgian Government.
It is also true that UNM's unconstructive actions and refusal to sign the Agreement gave Georgian Dream a convenient pretext. The people of Georgia deserve better, they deserve politicians who put the country's interests above everything else. Hereby, I commend all opposition parties that stay committed to the agreement and to the obligations they have taken.
Lastly, in this context, the upcoming local elections have become even more significant. The EU stands with the People of Georgia in their struggle for a just and democratic state. This is why every Georgian need to exercise their constitutional rights and vote in the local elections. The EU will do everything possible to makes sure that our observers are on the ground and contribute to the transparent elections“, - said Viola von Cramon Taubadel.
Exclusive: James Appathurai: The decision by Georgian Dream to withdraw from the April 19 Agreement is deeply regrettable
