European Commission agrees with the Venice Commission, which is the standard-setter when it comes to legislation. The Venice Commission proposed a systemic approach instead of adopting a specific law on de-oligarchization, said EU Ambassador to Georgia Pawel Herczynski, and expressed hope that the political elite of Georgia would choose this approach.

“One of the 12 priorities, the fifth, refers to limiting the excessive influence of rich people on the public political life of Georgia. It was always up to Georgians to decide how they want to solve this problem.
The Venice Commission was very clear in its last recommendation that the idea of having [such] a law on de-oligarchization is not correct and carries serious risks.

The Venice Commission recommended a different, systemic approach that addresses the whole environment, including transparency and accountability. And of course, as the EU, we support the Venice Commission’s recommendation.

The Venice Commission sets the highest international standards, and I sincerely hope that this will also be the approach that the political elite of Georgia will choose in order to fulfill the fifth priority on de-oligarchization,” he said.

EU Ambassador made it clear that the decision on Georgia’s candidate status would be made by 27 EU member states at the highest political level, at the level of prime ministers and presidents based on unanimity.

“The decision [on candidate status] is not in my hands, it is not in the hands of my superiors, it is not in the hands of the EU institutions. The decision on the next steps in EU-Georgia relations is in the hands of the 27 EU member states at the highest political level. So, in December, there will be 27 presidents and prime ministers, they will meet, discuss and make a decision.

What is very important to know is that this decision will be based on unanimity, which means that all member states must agree on the next steps in EU-Georgia relations.

There is still half a year until December. So we actually expect progress on the 12 priorities, as much progress as possible. And we also desperately need to hear good news from Georgia to create a positive environment when it comes to EU-Georgia future relations,” he said.