The European Parliament recognized the progress achieved by Georgia - Janos Herman

EU Ambassador to Georgia Janos Herman has evaluated yesterday’s resolution of the European Parliament on Georgia.

As Herman told journalists, the European Parliament recognized the progress achieved by Georgia.

"The European Parliament paid much attention to this issue. During the discussion they recognized the progress achieved by Georgia. Georgia's progress is impressive, and I think this is quite natural.

They also mentioned the areas which require special attention. These areas are not new and you know them very well. The EU underlined the importance of the independence of judges", - said Herman.

He said that the EU will continue to pay attention to specific areas.

European Parliament calls for continued efforts towards full independence, efficiency, impartiality and professionalism in the judiciary of Georgia

The resolution on the Association Agreements / Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas with Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, adopted by the European Parliament emphasizes that judicial proceedings should be transparent, impartial and free from political motivation in Georgia.

The document calls on Georgia to continue, and fully implement, the reform of the judiciary, including by strengthening its independence and depoliticising the Prosecutor’s Office; remains concerned about the lack of accountability of the Prosecutor’s Office and the blurred criteria according to which prosecutors and investigators are appointed; calls for continued efforts towards full independence, efficiency, impartiality and professionalism in the judiciary, the Prosecutor’s Office, the Ministry of the Interior and the newly established Security Service, including parliamentary scrutiny of the activities of the latter two; is concerned about the extensive use of pre-trial detention, especially of political figures and activists, which should be an exceptional measure applied only under urgent and clear circumstances;

MEPs recall the statement of 22 September 2015 by the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe on the undue pressure exerted on judges of the Constitutional Court of Georgia, and call on the Government of Georgia to take appropriate action, including adequate measures to protect the members of the court and their families, to investigate fully all acts of intimidation and to bring the perpetrators to justice;

Euro Parliament Human Rights Committee to hold discussion about Georgia

The discussion on Georgia will be held at the Human Rights Committee of the European Parliament. As the official webpage reports, the committee will discuss situation in Georgia in terms of human rights protection.

The committee members will also discuss the report project on the so-called third countries and human rights and migration there.

Tamar Kintsurashvili and Giorgi Tugushi will attend the session from Georgia.

Euro Parliament expresses concern about the potential use of the judicial system to fight against political opponents

European Parliament publishes resolution on the implementation of the Association Agreements/DCFTA with Georgia The European Parliament has published a resolution on the implementation of the Association Agreements/ Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements with Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine with Georgia.

The document notes that the European Parliament welcomes the positive evaluation by the Commission as regards visa liberalisation for Ukraine and Georgia in the latest assessment of the implementation of the visa liberalisation action plans with the two countries; expects the Council and the Member States to proceed to grant the two countries a visa-free travel regime without undue delay;

The resolution welcomes recent reforms by the Georgian authorities to further strengthen the stability, independence and effectiveness of state institutions, in particular the judicial institutions, and the efforts to consolidate the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms; considers, nevertheless, that these reforms are insufficient.

The European Parliament calls for the establishment of transparent, merit-based selection of judges and for a change in the 3-year term of probation system for judges; stresses that prosecutions must be transparent.

The EU Parliament shows concern about the potential use of the judicial system to fight against political opponents, which could undermine Georgia’s European course and the efforts of the Georgian authorities in the area of democratic reform; calls on all political forces to avoid this type of instrumentalisation, while pursuing a serious fight to rule out corruption and misuse of public office; calls on the Georgian Government, especially in view of the 2016 parliamentary elections, to create a favourable environment for free media which promotes freedom of expression and media pluralism, and to allow the media to report independently and objectively without political or economic pressure.

European Parliament to discuss the Association Agreement and DCFTA signed with Georgia

The European Parliament will today discuss the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) signed with Georgia. The European Parliament has published the agenda of today’s session.

According to official reports, the European MPs will hold debates on bilateral economic and trade ties. The discussions will focus on the issues of Moldova and Ukraine too. On January 21, MEPs will vote on a resolution.

The European Parliament’s plenary sessions will last until January 21.