TOP 09 tabled Resolution on Democratic Backsliding and Political Persecutions in Georgia

• Whereas the Georgian people anticipate their country’s advancement to a new stage of European integration to ensure a peaceful, democratic, secure and prosperous future;
• Whereas over the last few months, we have seen a blatant disregard by the Georgian authorities of the 12 recommendations laid out by the European Commission as a way forward for Georgia to receive the EU membership candidate status;
• Whereas the continued political imprisonment and the denial of an adequate medical treatment to ex-President, Ukrainian citizen and acting official Mikheil Saakashvili being held in Georgian prison as Putin’s personal captive, the recent decision of the Appeals’ Court to uphold the political charges against Mtavari TV Managing Director Nika Gvaramia, only exacerbates Georgia’s democratic regression and the Russian influence in the country resulted by Bidzina Ivanishvili’s oligarchic rule and the subsequent state capture in Georgia;
• Having regard to the 9 June 2022 European Parliament resolution on Violations of Media Freedom and the Safety of Journalists in Georgia and the Resolution 2463 of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on Further Escalation in the Russian Federation’s Aggression Against Ukraine (Article 7);
• Having regard to EPP’s previous concerns over the destructive personal role of the oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili in entrenching the oligarchic rule, the state capture and full control over the government and the democratic institutions in Georgia;
• Whereas the European People’s Party has been a strong and long-time advocate and supporter of Georgia’s European integration;

The European People’s Party

• Calls on the Georgian government to adhere to the will of the Georgian people and bring the country back to its European path by taking specific steps and implementing necessary reforms in the spirit of the EU 12 recommendations for the benefit of the Georgian people and their free, democratic and European future;