Motion for a resolution - B7-0470/2012Motion for a resolution
B7-0470/2012

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the elections in Georgia

17.10.2012 - (2012/2816(RSP))

to wind up the debate on the statement by the Commission
pursuant to Rule 110(2) of the Rules of Procedure

Mojca Kleva, Edit Herczog, Minodora Cliveti, Teresa Riera Madurell, Evgeni Kirilov, Libor Rouček, Richard Falbr on behalf of the S&D Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0467/2012

Procedure : 2012/2816(RSP)
Document stages in plenary
Document selected :  
B7-0470/2012

B7‑0470/2012

European Parliament resolution on the elections in Georgia

(2012/2816(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to its previous resolutions and reports, in particular on containing the European Parliament’s recommendations to the Council, the Commission and the EEAS on the negotiations of the EU-Georgia Associations Agreement on 27 October 2011,

–   having regard to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between Georgia and the European Union, which entered into force on 1 July 1999,

–   having regard to the joint EU-Georgia European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) Action Plan, endorsed by the EU-Georgia Cooperation Council on 14 November 2006, laying out the strategic objectives based on commitments to shared values and effective implementation of political, economic and institutional reforms,

–   having regard to the ceasefire agreement on 12 August 2008, mediated by the EU and signed by Georgia and the Russian Federation, and the implementation agreement of 8 September 2008,

–   having regards to the Joint Declaration of the Eastern Partnership Summit in Warsaw on 30 September 2011,

–   having regard to the Joint Statement of Preliminary Findings and Conclusions by the International Election Observation Mission to the Georgia Parliamentary Elections on 2 October 2012,

–   having regard to the Joint statement by the EU High Representative Catherine Ashton and Commissioner Stefan Fule on the results of Georgia’s parliamentary elections on 2 October 2012,

–   having regard to the statement by the EP President of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly Kristian Vigenin on the outcome of the parliamentary elections in Georgia on 3 October 2012,

–   having regard to the Council Conclusions on Georgia on 15 October 2012,

–   having regard to Rule 110(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas the active engagement of Georgia and a commitment to shared values and principles, including democracy, the rule of law, good governance and respect for human rights, are essential to take the European integration process forward and to make the negotiations and subsequent implementation of the association agreement a success;

B.  whereas the unresolved Russia-Georgia conflict continues to hamper the stability and development of Georgia; whereas Russia continues to occupy the Georgia regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia;

C. whereas the Joint Statement of the Eastern Partnership Foreign Ministers’ meeting on 23 July 2012 referred to the Roadmap as constituting a basis for guiding the monitoring and further implementation of the Eastern Partnership;

D. whereas a large number of international observers were invited by the Georgian authorities to monitor the electoral process;

E.  whereas the Council and the European Parliament took full note of ODIHR’s preliminary assessment of the conduct of the parliamentary elections in Georgia which took place on 1 October 2012;

F.  whereas Georgia, as an important partner of the EU, demonstrated its strong commitment to democratic standards during these parliamentary elections;

1.  Congratulates the Georgian people on this significant step towards the consolidation of democracy in their country; welcomes the 1 October democratic parliamentary elections which were conducted in line with OSCE and Council of Europe commitments although certain issues remain to be addressed;

2.  Notes that President Mikheil Saakashvili conceded defeat in these parliamentary elections and declared readiness to move into opposition, an extraordinary event in a country and in the region whose other post-Soviet leaders have often left office under pressure from mass protests or the threat of civil war;

3.  Welcomes the statements by President Saakashvili as well as by the leader of Georgian Dream coalition, Bidzina Ivanishvili, on their commitment to work together in building the country; stresses the critical importance of both an effective parliamentary opposition and a vibrant civil society to democratic development;

4.  Encourages all Georgian political parties to work together constructively during the coming period of transition and after, to assure stability, rule of law, human rights and good governance, in full respect of the democratically-expressed will of the Georgian people; encourages the new government to pursue a broad-based reform and inclusive growth agenda, not least through social dialogue and renewed emphasis on social and workers’ rights;

5.  Congratulates the Central Election Commission for its transparency and efficiency in the preparation and management of these elections; notes that the active involvement of observers and civil society throughout the entire electoral process enhanced its overall transparency;

6.  Welcomes the active citizen participation throughout the entire campaign, in particular the participation of women and national minorities;

7.  Notes that despite the polarised and tense electoral environment, the freedoms of expression, association and assembly were respected overall; is aware, however, that instances of harassment and intimidation of party activists and supporters marred the campaign environment at times;

8.  Praises the Inter-Agency Commission for its effective review of complaints or allegations of campaign violations raised by respective stakeholders during the electoral process which were addressed in a timely manner by the Georgian authorities;

9.  Encourages the Georgian authorities to review and strengthen the Law on Political Union of Citizens that regulates party and campaign finance which, despite the substantial amendments which were adopted less than a year before the elections, still contains serious ambiguities negatively affecting its proper implementation;

10. Calls for the new Georgian government to investigate and improve the physical conditions in prisons and detention centres and to continue to adopt and implement the necessary reforms in line with the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union;

11. Calls on the new national assembly to review objectively the decision of relocating the seat of the Georgian Parliament from Tbilisi to Kutaisi;

12. Calls on the Council and Commission to ensure the necessary support to the new administration and to continue the ongoing dialogue to ensure continuity and maintaining momentum in the negotiations of an Association Agreement, including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, as well as in the dialogue on visa liberalisation;

13. Appeals to the President and the new government of Georgia to keep their commitment and ensures that the ongoing negotiations on the Association Agreement will continue at a steady pace following the transition of power;

14. Reaffirms the European Union’s support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia; hopes that both Georgia and Russia will continue actively to engage in conflict resolution without preconditions; looks forward to continued engagement by Georgia in the Geneva International Discussions and to the pursuit by Georgia of an effective policy in engaging with the breakaway regions;

15. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, Commission, EEAS and the government of Georgia.