A group of 30 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have written a letter to the European Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement, Oliver Varhelyi, addressing the issue of potential violations of democracy in the upcoming parliamentary elections in Georgia. One of the signatories, MEP Rihards Kols from Latvia, has shared the letter on social media.
The MEPs propose four actions for the European Union to take in case of any violations of democracy in the elections. These include suspending financial assistance, imposing sanctions on key individuals, reviewing Georgia’s EU candidacy, and engaging in public diplomacy and communication.
The letter emphasizes the importance of these elections as a test of Georgia’s commitment to democracy and European values. The MEPs warn that any interference in the elections could have serious consequences for the country and the region, especially in terms of its relationship with Russia and the global rise of authoritarianism.
The proposed suspension of financial assistance would mean halting grants and loans provided through the “Eastern Partnership Initiative” and revising trade agreements such as the “Deep and Comprehensive Trade Area” (DCFTA). However, the MEPs clarify that aid to civil society and non-governmental organizations should not be affected in order to continue supporting democracy and human rights.
The proposed sanctions would target high-ranking officials of the Georgian government and ruling party who are directly responsible for undermining the democratic process. These sanctions could include freezing assets, imposing visa bans, and restricting travel.
If the elections do not meet international standards of fairness and transparency, the MEPs suggest that the European Union should begin a formal review of Georgia’s accession to the EU. This review would assess whether the actions of the ruling party align with the democratic principles required of candidate countries.
In conclusion, the letter urges the European Union to take firm action in order to protect democracy and civil society in Georgia. The use of simple language and paragraphs is used to make the content easily understandable. The content also has a negative tone towards the current government, highlighting the potential consequences of any interference in the elections.
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