US Ambassador hopes GD, opposition come together and make sure work for candidate status meets EU standards
US Ambassador hopes GD, opposition come together and make sure work for candidate status meets EU standards

“we also regret the continuing polarization of the political environment here in Georgia, and we would certainly agree with the call for the political stakeholders here to come together and implement ambitious democratic judicial and anti-corruption reforms,” US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan said on Wednesday.

Asked about the European Parliament’s Foreign Relations Committee report, US Ambassador said: “The United States is not part of the European Parliament. I can say that we weren’t involved in drafting this resolution.”

“This is work that is underway, and it needs to be done in an inclusive fashion. I think Georgia has a very good track record of submitting draft legislation like this to the Venice Commission and other European expert bodies for their feedback on whether it does indeed meet European Union standards. At a time when the next very important step on Georgia’s path to its European future is at hand, candidate status, it seems particularly important and worthwhile to submit draft legislation to the Venice Commission to get their assessment of whether the legislation that’s been prepared is compatible and meets European standards,” she stated.

US Ambassador underscored that “the US will continue, as we have for the past 30 years, to support the clear will of Georgian people to live in a secure, stable, prosperous democracy.”

“That is why we are such strong supporters of the people of Georgia’s aspiration for European Union membership and a Euro-Atlantic future. I would hope that all of Georgia’s political leaders, including the ruling party and the opposition, would come together now and make sure that the work that is being done for candidate status is going to meet European Union standards. This is the moment, and I sincerely hope that Georgia’s leaders will accomplish this goal for the people of Georgia,” she stated.