European Parliament releases information on Report on the implementation of the EU Association Agreement with Georgia.

At the sitting of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, the report on the implementation of the EU Association Agreement with Georgia was supported by 56 members of the Committee, eight voted against and six abstained.

Members of the European Parliament welcome the continuation of the deepening of EU-Georgia relations and acknowledge the country’s recent progress in implementing the comprehensive general reforms that have made Georgia a key EU partner in the region.

At the same time, MEPs remind Georgia that “enhanced cooperation and EU assistance depend on the continuation of progress in reforms, in particular in the spheres of democracy and the rule of law, including control and balance of power of institutions, the independence of the judiciary and electoral reform.”

The report assesses the media environment in Georgia as “dynamic and pluralistic, but at the same time polarized.” Members of the European Parliament underline the importance of editorial independence and non-discriminatory coverage of political views in the programs of private media and especially public broadcaster during the upcoming election campaign.

MEPs also call on the Georgian authorities to refrain from interfering in media freedom, from launching politically motivated lawsuits against media owners, and to take steps to prevent disinformation campaigns by both foreign and domestic actors.

MEPs condemn the systematic violations of the rights and freedoms of people living in the territories of Georgia – Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region by Russia, which currently controls these regions.