The Euronest Parliamentary Assembly has issued a Resolution on the future of the Eastern Partnership and the new prospects of the EU enlargement policy that also draws attention to Georgia.
The resolution, titled “On the future of the Eastern Partnership and the new prospects of the EU enlargement policy: towards the need for peace, security, and stability in the Region,” highlights recent developments indicating democratic backsliding.
“Recent developments in Georgia have demonstrated a serious democratic backsliding, including the rigged parliamentary elections of October 26, 2024, the government’s announcement on November 28, 2024, to delay EU accession talks until 2028, and the subsequent implementation of a series of anti-democratic legislative acts aimed at silencing all possible dissidents’ voices, particularly from civil society, academia, and independent media and independent media, attacking minorities, in particular the LGBTI+ community, and eliminating viable democratic political opposition,” reads the resolution.
According to the resolution, if Russia does not invade by military means, it seeks to dominate the information space in the Eastern Partnership countries. The resolution highlights that Georgia is a clear example of this approach.
The document underlined that the EaP policy continues to provide a framework ensuring sustained engagement between government and civil society to maintain democratic accountability and oversight, irrespective of any suspension or postponement of EU accession negotiations.
“Political instability, democratic backsliding, increasing authoritarianism and challenges to the rules-based international order, as well as the geopolitical complexity exacerbated by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the Eastern Partnership policy has played a crucial role in maintaining a reference point for the EaP countries and their citizens concerning the rules and principles of the European Union.
Continuing investing in effective rule of law, stable democratic institutions and security is the only way to preserve past achievements and ensure a prosperous future, and most importantly, to secure long-term, sustainable and irreversible change and approximation towards the European Union together with increased investment in disinformation efforts,” reads the resolution.
The resolution also stresses that Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, Russia’s strong political interference, annexation attempts and illegal occupation of the territories in other EaP countries, such as Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region in Georgia, in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova, also pose a serious threat to the region and to Europe as a whole.
“Therefore, the Assembly calls to strengthen economic and financial sanctions against Russian Federation and limit trade operations with Russian Federation until it stops aggressive war against Ukraine and hybrid attacks threatening EU and Eastern Component states; underlines that sustainable peace and human security in the EaP region are essential for the EU; reiterates its unequivocal support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of the EaP countries within their internationally recognised borders including territorial waters and to supporting their efforts to fully enforce those principles,” reads the document.
According to the resolution, Euronest Parliamentary Assemble condemns the Georgian Dream regime’s systemic assault on Georgia’s democratic institutions, political opposition, independent media, civil society, academia, and judicial independence; deplores the rigged parliamentary elections of October 26, 2024, which were in violation of democratic norms and standards, therefore does not recognise the self-proclaimed authorities of the Georgian Dream party.
“Euronest PA strongly denounces the brutal suppression of peaceful protests, arbitrary detentions of ordinary citizens, journalists, activists and political leaders alike, and systematic violations of fundamental freedoms; urges the Georgian authorities to release all political prisoners and other illegally detained persons without delay; in particular insists on Sakharov Prize Laureate Mzia Amaglobeli’s immediate and unconditional release and the withdrawal of all charges against her, and denounces her politically motivated arrest and prosecution; deeply regrets the fact that the ruling Georgian Dream party has abandoned its path towards European integration and NATO membership; notes that the adoption of anti-democratic laws has effectively suspended Georgia’s EU integration process; notes that the Georgian Dream’s intention to ban political parties would effectively establish a one-party dictatorship in Georgia and necessitates immediate action of the international community; calls on the European Commission and the Council to review Georgia’s visa-free status with the intention of suspending it for targeted groups responsible for Georgia’s authoritarian decline; stresses that Georgian Dream is fully responsible for any consequences stemming from the possible suspension of the visa-free regime for Georgian citizens,” reads the resolution.
The Euronest PA resolution calls on the European Commission President, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and the President of the European Council to engage in high-level diplomacy with leaders of Member States to deliver, without delay, a strong and clear response of the European Union to the unfolding definitive dismantling of the democratic order in Georgia.
It also calls on EU institutions to support independent Georgian media with all possible instruments, including financial, to preserve press freedom and media pluralism in Georgia.
The resolution further calls on the EU to increase its support for and strengthen the independent media and journalists in EaP countries; expresses deep concern over arbitrary detentions, harassment and violence against journalists in Georgia, and the adoption of draconian legislation, such as the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
For context, the Georgian Dream party refused to participate in the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly in Yerevan. Levan Makhashvili, Chair of the European Integration Committee of the Georgian Parliament, has addressed the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly with an open letter, explaining why the Georgian Parliament delegation chose not to participate in the 12th plenary session of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly in Yerevan.
As Makhashvili observed, recent actions by the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly raise serious concerns, as they appear to be at odds with the fundamental principles and objectives outlined in the Assembly’s Founding Act and the Joint Declaration of the Prague Summit of the Eastern Partnership.
Additionally, the Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia, Shalva Papuashvili, stated: “The Euronest session is being held in the South Caucasus region, yet Georgia and Azerbaijan are not participating. This suggests that something is amiss in the behaviour of the European Parliament.” He further explained that, “in reality, under the guise of ‘NGOs, members of the United National Movement, Lelo, European Georgia, and Droa parties have been invited.”
