EU Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell has commented in response to media requests on 15 February decisions in Parliament regarding the appointments to the bodies to replace the State Inspector’s Service and the termination of parliamentary mandates.

With regard to the State Inspector’s Service, Carl Hartzell said, “we still fail to see objective reasons for the unexpected and hasty dismantlement of the service last December or for the early termination of the mandate of the State Inspector.”

“While taking note of yesterday’s appointments in Parliament, we will await the outcome of the appeal process currently in the Constitutional Court. Effective democratic oversight of the security sector and proper safeguarding of data protection remain Georgian commitments for which it will be held accountable. It is essential for the European Union’s willingness and ability to support Georgia in key reform areas.

When it comes to the decision to terminate some opposition mandates, a political choice was made yesterday on the basis of principles that I will not debate, but which arguably came at the expense of political inclusiveness and democratic pluralism in Parliament. The European Union will continue to encourage all sides to use the Parliament as the main platform for political debate and for advancing political objectives.”