Friday, May 23 2014

Tbilisi. The joint statement of the European Commission and
the Georgian government, released after their meeting, notes "importance
of holding the 15 June local elections to the same high democratic standards as
parliamentary and presidential elections in 2012 and 2013 for the continued
democratic development in the country." The statement has been published
by the Georgian Prime Minister's press-service. 

"Both sides agreed that the
democratic opposition has an important role to play in the further
consolidation of democracy in Georgia," reads the statement.

It also said that the EU recognizes
"far-reaching reforms in the justice sector" carried out by
Georgia.  "Both sides agreed that it
was important to take further steps to sustain the positive results of these
reform efforts, including measures to strengthen the independence of the
judiciary, as well as the accountability and democratic oversight of law
enforcement agencies," reads the joint statement. "They agreed on the
need for transparency and impartiality in criminal investigations."

It also notes importance of religious
tolerance and respect for minority rights.

"In this regard, the European
Commission welcomed the Georgian Government's adoption of anti- discrimination
legislation and of the National Human Rights Strategy and Action Plan. The
European Commission confirmed its offer of assistance the Government of Georgia
in the latter's implementation," the statement says.

Adoption of the anti-discrimination law
was one of those requirements, which Georgia has undertaken under its Visa
Liberalisation Action Plan in order to be granted short-term visa-free regime
by the EU.

In the joint statement the European
Commission welcomed Georgia's "the significant progress achieved so
far" in visa liberalisation dialogue and "encouraged Georgia to
continue pursuing its reforms in all areas relevant for the Visa Liberalisation
Action Plan, including human rights and data protection."

The European Commission thanked Georgia
for planned contribution to EU's military mission in the Central African
Republic.  EU welcomed this "as a
concrete demonstration of Georgia's firm commitment to the path of political
association with the EU."

Offering membership to Georgia "is
not possible" now, but "a European perspective" should be
offered and the Association Agreement, which will be signed next month, means
that Georgia and the EU will be "as close as possible", President of
the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso said after meeting PM Irakli
Garibashvili in Brussels on May 21.