The Chair of the Delegation for relations with the South Caucasus, MEP Marina Kaljurand, urges the Georgian government and the opposition to compromise.

“I urged to try to find a compromise with the opposition movement so that the mission of Mr Danielsson, the mission that was initiated by the European Council President Charles Michel, would be a success. It is important for the EU, for the Georgian people, and most importantly for Georgia, because people made it clear, they want close ties with the EU, they want close cooperation with the EU, they want transatlantic ties,” MEP Kaljurand stated.

European Parliament member believes “the present situation is a window of opportunity because of the involvement of the European Council President personally.”

“My advice is to make maybe not so popular political decisions as first steps, keeping in mind longer interests and perspective of Georgia and Georgian people. I am a diplomat, I believe in negotiations, I believe in listening to each other, I believe in finding compromises. Listen to each other and take steps, even if they are not popular today, but they are in the interests of the people,” she noted.

MEP Kaljurand fears that “Europe might again feel fatigued of Eastern Partnership, might lose keen interest in Eastern partnership.”

She says Europe has many other topics on the table, starting with the COVID-19.

Kaljurand also thinks “this process will have an impact on the future of the EU and Georgia relations.”

“I can assure you that as a Chair of the Delegation for relations with the South Caucasus, I will keep it on the political agenda, but there are 705 members of the parliament, and to keep interest towards Georgia, to keep operation working effectively it might be more difficult if there is no success to the mission of Charles Michel,” she said.

European Parliament member added that she stands by the decision and evaluation of the ODHIR that there were some shortcomings, but elections were fair and democratic.”

“Georgian people have expressed their will. Georgian people mandated politicians from the Georgian Dream, the UNM, other opposition parties to go to the parliament, to take the mandate, and start working for the benefits of the Georgian people. Unfortunately, not all politicians from the opposition, only a couple have taken the seats, they have not fulfilled what Georgian people wished of them,” she added.

PM-led Georgian Delegation is holding top-level meetings with high-ranking officials in Brussels. Earlier today, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili met with MEP Marina Kaljurand, MEP Sven Mikser, and European Parliament President David Sassoli. PM will also meet with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg later today.