Joint Statement on the Grave Political Crisis in Georgia

Chairperson Socialists, Democrats and Greens Group (SOC)

Chairperson Group of the European People's Party (EPP/CD)

Chairperson Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE)

Georgia is one of the 46 countries in the Council of Europe. Georgia was on the right track. A path of respect for the values of the Council of Europe: democracy, human rights and the rule of law. European integration was enshrined in the constitution. Now we see with horror that these values are being trampled on. With boots from regular and irregular forces arresting and abusing peaceful demonstrators.

After elections that were in no way free and fair and which took place under sometimes absurd conditions with widespread organized vote manipulation, we now see that the political course of the “Georgian Dream” has finally deviated from the path of European values, although they wanted to give a different impression with the election campaign.

We are on the side of the demonstrators, the schools and universities, the believers, and especially the young people who are working with passion and at great personal risk for a European future of a free and democratic Georgia.

In order to now be able to follow a path of a free and democratic Georgia and not one of violence and repression, clear framework conditions are needed in the country and by the international community.

This includes:

- new elections that will take place without pressure and under free and fair conditions

- an immediate end to violence and the indiscriminate detention of protesters.

- the consistent introduction of sanctions by European states against representatives of the “Georgian Dream”, including entry bans and asset freezes

- an immediate release of the detained demonstrators

- respecting the mandate of the incumbent president until fair and free new elections have taken place.