NEWS

The invaluable role of the European Union in the de-escalation of the ongoing political crisis in Georgia has once again confirmed that the maximal involvement of the European Union in the ongoing processes of the domestic politics in Georgia has decisive influence on the democratic transformation process of the country and supports the distribution of the European values beyond the Union.

Continuous support of the European integration process by the Georgian citizens demonstrates high degree of trust into the European institutions in the Georgian society, which in itself represents important capital for Georgia, as well as for the European Union. Therefore, in order to outline the role of the European Union in the entire region, please, consider the possibility of achieving swift progress in the following matters:

Georgia as European country and still clear front-runner of the Eastern Partnership deserves concrete perspective of the European membership;

It is important to acknowledge the military-political occupation of the integral parts of Georgia – Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region. Adoption of the proper terminology towards the occupied regions by the European Union will much clearer define the support of theUnion towards Georgia’s territorial integrity;

European Union and its Monitoring Mission represent the only international security guarantor in Georgia. Given the ongoing complex developments in the Eastern Partnership region, the role of the European Union in strengthening of the European stability should be further increased and defined by the tighter security cooperation with the member countries of the initiative;

The strengthening of the civil society in Georgia and the support of their full-fledged involvement in the decisive processes of the country by the European Union represents the most important dimension of the democratic consolidation;

The vast majority of Georgian citizens remain committed to the European values and therefore expect more concrete and active integration agenda with the European Union.

Economic Policy Research Center (EPRC)

Gigi Gigiadze | Senior Fellow, EPRC | Former Ambassador of Georgia to the Kingdom of Denmark and the Republic of Iceland.

Shota Gvineria | Security Policy Lead, EPRC | Former Ambassador of Georgia to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.