The European Parliament considering the idea to send an expert mission to Georgia

The European Parliament may send an expert mission to Georgia, - says the resolution adopted by the Parliament on Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine yesterday.

“The European Parliament endorses the idea put forward by the Georgian authorities of
sending an expert mission of high level advisers, comprising retired judges of the
European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights, to oversee the
ongoing case regarding Rustavi 2”, says the resolution.

the mentioned idea was put forward by Georgian Prime Minsiter Irakli Gharibashvili a few months ago.

Russia remains involved in conflicts of Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine - European Parliament

According to the resolution on the Association Agreements / Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas with Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, adopted by the European Parliament yesterday, Russia remains involved in conflicts and internal divisions touching all three of the association countries.

“Russia remains involved, directly or indirectly, in conflicts and internal divisions touching all three of the association countries –the occupied territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia/Tskhinvali Region in Georgia, the Transnistria issue in Moldova, and Russia’s annexation of Crimea and involvement in the conflict in the eastern parts of Ukraine”, says the Resolution.

The document underlines its firm support for the territorial integrity of all three countries; calls on the Russian Federation to end its occupation of Crimea, and to put an immediate end to all direct or indirect involvement in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, as well as in the frozen conflicts in Georgia and Moldova; welcomes the Council’s decision of 21 December 2015 to extend the economic sanctions against the Russian Federation following the non-fulfilment of the Minsk Agreements;

MEPs also welcome the Council’s decision of 21 December 2015 to extend the economic sanctions against the Russian Federation following the non-fulfilment of the Minsk Agreements.

European Parliament adopts resolution on the Association Agreement and DCFTA with Georgia

The European Parliament has adopted a resolution on the Association Agreement and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements with Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova.

Members of the European Parliament voted on the resolution at the European Parliament's plenary session in Strasbourg.

The document stresses the importance of ensuring independence and transparency of Georgia’s judiciary, the Prosecutor's Office, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Security Service. The resolution also expresses some remarks concerning the mechanism of pre-trial detention and notes it must be used against political officials only on special occasions.

The resolution also focuses on the media environment. MEPs underline the importance of media pluralism and specifically refer to the Rustavi 2 case.

Before the voting, the draft resolution was considered at the European Parliament’s plenary session and debates were also held.

EU works on Georgia to finish visa liberalization process as soon as possible – Johannes Hahn

Georgia has made impressive steps in terms of implementing the Association Agreement, - Euro Commissioner Johannes Hahn said yesterday while delivering his speech at European Parliament.

He has referred to progress achieved by Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova.

‘Georgia has made impressive efforts in order to implement the Association Agreement and the results are already noticeable in terms of increasing direct foreign investments. Other indicators are very hopeful,” Hahn said.

Johannes Hahn has also emphasized the progress achieved by Georgia.

‘The visa liberalization action plan has proved to be an effective instrument in terms of encouraging reforms. But Georgia has been beyond all the benchmarks and made more steps in terms of judiciary reforms. It was followed by our positive report in December,’ – the Euro Commissioner said.

According to him, the EU will continue working to provide Georgia to finish the visa liberalization process as soon as possible.

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.

Georgians arrived in Germany may be refused to be provided with asylum

The local government of Bavaria requests the so-called safe countries’ list to be expanded in order for the migrants flow to decrease.

As reported by German edition Süddeutsche Zeitung, Georgia is requested to be enlisted in the enumeration.

As reported the initiative means that those arrived in Germany from Georgia will be refused the asylum as Georgia is considered to be a safe country.

According to the article, a country where there is no political persecution is assessed as safe.

According to Bavaria’s Interior Minister Joachim Herrman, the list will assist the government to make decisions over asylum-seekers sooner. He said Armenia, Moldova, Ukraine, India, Mali, Mongolia, Algeria, Gambia and Bangladesh should be in the list.

A deal on monitoring gas transit via Ukraine has been reached

The European Commission press centre reports a deal on monitoring gas transit via Ukraine has been reached.RIA Novosti reports regarding this.
The move is aimed at fast restoration of gas supplies to the EU member states, the Commission press centre said.
Ukrainian energy company Naftogaz Chief Oleh Dubyna said at gas talks in Brussels yesterday that Ukraine was ready to allow EU experts into its territory for them to control Russian gas transit, including when the gas enters Ukraine and when it leaves the country.
Ukraine has not allowed independent observers to its gas measuring stations since January 1.
The European Commission held talks with Russia and Ukraine on the gas issue on Thursday and Friday.
Previous talks between Russia and Ukraine ended on New Year's Eve with no agreement on how to settle Kiev's gas debts or on a contract for 2009 deliveries.
European Union experts are to arrive in Ukraine on Friday to monitor Russian gas transit to Europe. The deal was reached between the European Commission and the Ukrainian government yesterday on Thursday.

Angela Merkel Insists on Conferring MAP to Georgia and Ukraine

Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor insists on conferring MAP to Georgia and Ukraine.
As news agency Ria Novosti reports, German Chancellor met with Federico Reinfeld, the Premier –Minister of Sweden, and discussed the following issue.
‘We discussed what the next step should be. It is clear that the next step should be conferring MAP to Georgia and Ukraine. It does not mean already the membership in NATO. Thus, it is the way leading to it.’ - Angela Merkel remarked in the press conference held after the meeting.
Angela Merkel is convinced that Georgia and Ukraine are to become members of the alliance.
‘I would like to cite the document of Bucharest. All the NATO – member –States clearly fixed that Georgia and NATO would become the members of the alliance. My position is the same.’ – German chancellor declared.

Georgia Leaves CIS, Commonwealth of Independent Countries

The President of Georgia reached a decision to leave CIS . Mikheil Saakashvili stated the following in the rally held today outside the Parliament of Georgia.
The President of Georgia called Ukraine and other CIS- member –countries to leave the organization.
‘Nobody can force Georgia to its knees. We reached several important decisions. We leave CIS and say farewell to Soviet Union. We call Ukraine and other CIS – member –countries to leave CIS.’- declared Mikheil Saakashvili.
As Mikheil Saakashvili stated, the Government of Georgia decided to declare south Ossetia and Abkhazia as occupied territory.
‘We decided to declare Russian army as occupation army, and south Ossetia and Abkhazia as - occupied.’ – The President of Georgia remarked.