‘Dialogue provides the best opportunity to create a platform to reduce tension and polarization,’ Carl Hartzell, an ambassador of the European Union to Georgia told reporters after the meeting between the ruling party and the opposition.

‘I am happy that I see a responsible approach to the dialogue from both sides, as we already had third meeting.

It is absolutely clear to me that dialogue provides the best opportunity to create a platform to reduce tension and polarization.

I’ll lie if I say the talk was easy. These are fundamental issues. There is a continuing commitment to move forward,’ Carl Hartsell stressed.

Georgian Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani said the sides could not reach an agreement on a multi-mandate election system.

As Thea Tsulukiani noted after the meeting, the sides discussed only the multi-mandate election system which is adapted in a handful of countries such as Afghanistan and Iraq.

Georgian Justice Minister added that the multi-mandate election system in Georgia which is Europian country can not be adopted.

Today’s meeting focused only on the multi-mandate election system. Neither Mamuka Mdinaradze’s initiative nor a fully majoritarian system was discussed today.

This topic will not be discussed in the following meeting. There is a need for a new initiative, Thea Tsulukiani said.

As for the opposition`s point of view, Giga Bokeria, a member of Europian Georgia said the ruling party has asked for additional time to state their viewpoint on the so-called German model.

Bokeria says the opposition wishes to calm the tense situation, however, due to that, the ruling team should compromise.

‘We want to relieve the tension happening now. Due to that, the ruling party should put back their insult to society, they should compromise and stop political persecution and violence. If they do not do so, the drastic processes will not stop in the country.

It is better for them to choose a less harmful way for our country. If they choose the worse way and continue to fluctuate the country, we are ready for it, though it is not our goal,’ Giga Bokeria said.

The third meeting between the government of Georgia and the opposition parties was held at Sheraton Grand Tbilisi Metechi Palace earlier today.

Foreign diplomats were participating in the meeting as well.

The first two meetings were held on November 30 and December 8.