MEP: not granting Georgia candidate status “political mistake”, creates more polarisation
In an interview with Rustavi 2 channel, Sánchez Amor stressed decisions that could lead to polarisation should be avoided as “it is one thing what we will think here [in EU bodies], but the problem is how they will accept all this in Georgia”. Photo: European Parliament
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Nacho Sánchez Amor, a Member of the European Parliament, on Tuesday said the decision of the European Council to grant Georgia a status different from what Moldova and Ukraine had received was a “political mistake” and “obviously” created more polarisation in the country’s domestic political environment.
In an interview with Rustavi 2 channel, Sánchez Amor stressed decisions that could lead to polarisation should be avoided as “it is one thing what we will think here [in EU bodies], but the problem is how they will accept all this in Georgia”.
The MEP noted the process of reducing polarisation of the Georgian political field required “all stakeholders” to unite their efforts for fulfilling the 12-point conditions outlined by the European Union for granting the country the membership candidate status later this year.
He also cautioned against the idea of a “technical interim government of national accord”, raised by the opposition for the implementation of the EU conditions, by noting the current Georgian Government had been appointed as a result of legitimate elections recognised by the international community.
I call on the Georgian Government to create appropriate conditions so that the opposition could join them and fulfil the 12-point conditions. This is a key issue for the country. Don't waste any more time”, the MEP concluded in his comments.
Levan Ioseliani, a member of the Citizens opposition party and Vice Speaker of the Parliament, on Monday said domestic political forces not engaging in the agenda set by the European Union for Georgia for granting the country the membership candidate status would be “counterproductive”.
Mamuka Mdinaradze, the Executive Secretary of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Sunday said a part of the domestic opposition had “boycotted Europe” and the implementation of the conditions outlined by the European Union for granting the country the membership candidate status later this year.
Irakli Kadagishvili, the Chairman of the Rules and Procedural Issues Committee of the Parliament of Georgia, on Thursday called on the domestic opposition, non-governmental organisations and experts to get involved in the work process on fulfilling the 12-point conditions established by the European Union for granting Georgia the membership candidate status.
Viola von Cramon, a Member of the European Parliament, on Tuesday called the ruling Georgian Dream party’s proposal for fulfilling the 12-point conditions outlined by the European Union for granting the country the membership candidate status later this year a “great signal”.
Tamar Taliashvili, an MP for the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Wednesday said the domestic “radical opposition” had “no interest” in being a constructive player in taking part in the fulfilment of the 12-point conditions established by the European Union for granting the country the membership candidate status later this year.
German Ambassador to Georgia Hubert Knirsch on Wednesday said the 12-point conditions established by the European Union for granting Georgia the membership candidate status later this year were a “big challenge” for the Georgian political spectrum and noted the domestic political parties must find the “strength to cooperate” with each other.
Nacho Sánchez Amor, a Member of the European Parliament, on Wednesday said he supported granting Georgia the European Union membership candidate status immediately, claiming putting Georgia in a “different situation” from Moldova and Ukraine had been a “wrong decision” that had increased polarisation in the country’s domestic political environment.
Speaker of the Georgian Parliament Shalva Papuashvili on Wednesday said the policy of the opposition United National Movement party was to “somehow harm” the country, highlighting the party’s refusal to participate in fulfilling the 12-point conditions established by the European Union for granting Georgia the membership candidate status later this year.
Nacho Sánchez Amor, a Member of the European Parliament, on Thursday said the decision of the European Commission not to grant Georgia the European Union membership candidate status last year, had been a “big political mistake”, which strengthened polarisation instead of depolarisation in the country.