The European Alliance of Liberals and Democrats adopted a resolution on Georgia – “Standards of Fair Elections and Democratic Reforms for the Integration of Georgia into the European Union”.
* The resolution supports Georgians’ unwavering desire to join the European Union, and calls for the West to impose sanctions on Bidzina and his family as a result of Georgia being expelled from the European Union (and NATO) and moving toward authoritarianism.
The document urges the highest political bodies in the European Union not to contact representatives of the Georgian Dream Government.
* The resolution also calls on Dream, to stop the disinformation campaign directed against the EU and the organization that supports democracy in Georgia. Also, political persecution should stop in Georgia and political prisoners including President Mikheil Sakaashvili should be released.
The resolution stresses the importance of free and fair elections for October 2024 as a prerequisite that is defined by the European Commission.
It also emphasizes the importance that Georgia has as a candidate for the EU and the nine recommendations from the European Commission. “Holding back the EU integration process through the adoption of the ‘Russian Law’ and demanding its repeal to begin accession negotiations. “The support for the Georgian civil and critical society, which are the main targets the ‘Russian Law’.
The resolution calls for “full observance” of the Copenhagen Criteria, particularly in the process of building democracy institutions and aligning the foreign and security policies with the European Union.
The resolution also expresses its support for the unwavering wish of the Georgians to join the European Union.
The resolution also supports the following: Georgia’s access to preaccession financial aid funds to support economic development and democratic development in accordance with EU standards, provided certain conditions are met. President Salome Zurabishvili’s “Georgian Charter” and essential reforms that will enable the start of EU member negotiations.
The resolution adopted by ALDE expresses its concern over “Kremlin style prosecution of activists protesting the ‘Foreign Agents Law’ in April and may 2024”.
Also, “due the ongoing political persecution in Georgia including against President Saakashvili, and other political prisoners”.
The resolution also expressed concerns over “the non-fulfillment by Georgian Dream of the nine conditions of European Union” to receive candidate status, which indicates a regression in the rule of law efforts and anti-corruption efforts. Due to anti-Western campaigning and disinformation spreaded by government officials, misleading, and intimidating citizens regarding integration into the European Union. The resolution condemns “threatening telephone calls, raids on offices of opposition parties and civil society, kidnappings and beatings of protesters, ambushes and physical assaults on the homes and offices of opposition leaders and civil activist.” This violates democracy and human rights. The ALDE resolution calls on the European Union Commission (EUC) to categorically condemn violence or election fraud and to send clear messages to the Georgian Government about this.
The resolution also calls on: “Renew Europe”, a group of the European Parliament, to mobilize support for implementation of the European Parliament’s resolution.
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