Marina Kaljurand, Chair of the EU-Georgia Parliamentary Association Committee, and Sven Mikser, the European Parliament Rapporteur on Georgia, issued a joint statement on the developments in Georgia.

“We call on the ruling party and the government of Georgia, as well as all the opposition groups, to immediately take necessary steps to de-escalate political tensions in order to resolve the political crisis which has further deteriorated following the detention of the leader of the UNM party.

While we disapprove of the non-constructive and provocative tactics pursued by parts of the opposition, responding to the provocations by storming the headquarters of the largest opposition party and detaining their leader is in no way helpful, nor does it provide a way out of the crisis.

The only way Georgia can resolve this political deadlock without putting the country’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations in jeopardy is for all the parties to take a step back, refrain from further polarising rhetoric and action and re-engage in dialogue.

It is imperative that all those trusted with power put the legitimate aspirations of the Georgian people before any party political considerations,” reads the joints statement of MEPs.

The only way Georgia?? can resolve this political deadlock is for all the parties to refrain from further polarising rhetoric/action and re-engage in dialogue. pic.twitter.com/eIkb8W33fb

— Sven Mikser (@svenmikser) February 24, 2021