International community calls on remaining MPs and parties to sign EU-mediated agreement

By Khatia Bzhalava

Thursday, April 22

The ruling Georgian Dream party, six opposition parties, and individual opposition MPs have signed the agreement so far. Several representatives of the United National Movement and European Georgia as well as the Labour Party rebuff to sign the document yet.

April 19 agreement has received positive feedback from many European officials, including Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod, European Parliament member, Rasa Jukneviciene, and Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva.

The US Department of State welcomes the agreement reached in Georgia on April 19 and underlines that the deal reached with the mediation of the European Council President Charles Michel required compromises by all sides.

According to the US Department of State, the agreement required political courage and commitment before the Georgian people to continue building democratic institutions and strengthening the rule of law. “It’s a sign of the important progress for Georgia’s democratic development,” Stated Department spokesperson Ned Price at the daily briefing.

As Price said, the Implementation of the agreement is equally important. He called on individual MPs and the remaining parties to sign the EU-mediated proposal.

“The United States is committed to assisting the Georgian parliament to ensure this agreement achieves its aspirations, and as always, we stand ready to support Georgia on its path of full integration with the Euro-Atlantic family of nations,” stressed Department spokesperson.

U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) and Chair of the SFRC Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, and U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI), the subcommittee’s ranking member, have released a statement praising the April 19 agreement. According to the statement, the agreement is “a step toward the greater pursuit of a vibrant and fully functioning democracy.” The senators call on all sides to join forces and fully implement the agreement, including election and judicial reforms to prevent future political deadlock.

“We stand ready to help the government of Georgia and its people to build a country that serves the needs of its citizens and ensures transparency and accountability moving forward,” the statement reads.

U.S. Senator Jim Risch, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, also made a statement noting that the agreement can put Georgia back on its Euro-Atlantic trajectory. As Senator Risch highlighted, finding a compromise was the first step, but the true test of the agreement’s stability will be in its implementation.

“Both Georgian Dream and the opposition have a responsibility to uphold this agreement in both letter and spirit, and to rebuild political trust,” Risch stated.

The President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Gerald E. Connolly also issued a statement calling on all the remaining MPs and parties to sign the agreement.

“The agreement marks a key step out of the political impasse, paving the way for critical reforms. It is a positive step forward and an important milestone to restoring Georgia’s role in the family of democracies,” reads the statement.

On Wednesday, six more Georgian politicians signed renewed EU-backed compromise paper. The signatories are Gela Mikadze and Avtandil Enukidze from European Socialists, Paata Manjgaladze and Teona Akubardia from Strategy Agmashenebeli, Davit Usupashvili from Lelo for Georgia, and Grigol Vashadze, the former chairman of the National Movement. Several representatives of the United National Movement and European Georgia as well as the Labour Party rebuff to sign the document yet.