EU Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell remarked on the statement made by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili concerning the letter of MEPs over ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili’s case.

Hartzell said some of the members in the European Parliament, who signed this letter, play an important role in working on foreign policy, Eastern partnership and Georgian issues.

“I will not comment on the letter that was signed by individual MEPs or comment on the comments that have been made yesterday with regards to this letter. When it comes to the work of the European Union delegation, we are obviously following the case of the former president very closely. From us, the focus is on fundamental rights and the rule of law, which are fundamental starting points for the European Union.

We expect to see a transparent and fair judicial process take place with regard to these cases. We take and follow the advice and assessments from key stakeholders including the Public Defender, who obviously has a specific mandate,” EU Ambassador said.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on October 20 echoed the letter panned by MEP Anna Fotyga urging to stop Saakashvili’s imprisonment before his “fair trial.” “Neither [Anna] Fotyga, nor [Andrius] Kubilius holds any value for me or our country,” said PM, stressing that “no one will overstep the rule of law and justice in this country.”

MEPs said in the letter that “Saakashvili should be released in order to pave a way for a national agreement aimed at stability, ending the crises in Georgia and restore the course that the Georgian people want for the future of their nation.”