EU Delegation, U.S. Embassy Release Joint Statement on Tbilisi Events

The Delegation of the European Union to Georgia and the U.S. Embassy to Tbilisi issued joint statement in the evening of November 17, saying that they “recognize the deep disappointment of a wide segment of Georgian society at the failure of Parliament to pass the constitutional amendments.”

The statement reads that “the decision taken last summer to accelerate the transition to proportional elections was understood as an important step forward in Georgia’s democracy, and there was political consensus behind it and a joint commitment from all sides to work towards this end.”

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It underlined that “the unexpected halting of this process last Thursday has increased mistrust and heightened tensions between the ruling party and other political parties and civil society.”

“In view of the current situation, we consider it essential to immediately work to restore trust through a calm and respectful dialogue between the government and all political parties and civil society with a view to finding an acceptable path forward,” the joint statement reads.

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Noting that they “fully support the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression,” the EU delegation and the U.S. Embassy called on “all parties exercising this right to do so in a lawful manner and within the framework of the Constitution.”

Concluding the statement, the Delegation of the European Union and the U.S. Embassy noted that they “encourage all sides to act in the country’s best interest.”

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