Saeima committee in its statement urges Georgia to respect wishes of its citizens and pursue course of euro-integration

RIGA - The Saeima European affairs committee today adopted a statement urging the Georgian government and parliament to respect the wish of the absolute majority of the Georgian people to continue the country's integration course towards the European Union (EU) and to respect the state's commitment, enshrined in the Georgian Constitution, to take the necessary set of measures to ensure Georgia's full integration into the EU and NATO.

In May this year, the Georgian parliament adopted the law on transparency of foreign Influences. The law was vetoed by President Salome Zourabichvili, but in June it was re-voted by the parliament and signed into law. The measures contained in the law restrict the activities of NGOs that receive foreign funding, in particular in the areas of democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

The Latvian parliamentary press service said that the statement of the parliamentary committee stressed that the exercise of freedom of opinion, expression, association and peaceful assembly is a fundamental right enshrined in the Georgian constitution and referred to the European Convention on Human Rights and the opinion of the European Commission on democracy through law.

The law is incompatible with EU values and democratic principles, contradicts Georgia's wish to join the EU, damages Georgia's international reputation and undermines the country's Euro-Atlantic integration, the statement said.

The Georgian government is urged to return to the European path, to honor its commitment to respect, strengthen and promote democracy, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms, and to engage sincerely in the implementation of the measures necessary to meet the nine conditions set by the European Commission. These are set out in the context of engagement and cooperation with Georgian civil society and the political opposition in order to achieve the candidate status for the EU membership.

The lawmakers reaffirm their unwavering support for the legitimate aspirations of the Georgian people for Europe and their desire to live in a prosperous and democratic country that fights corruption, protects human rights and respects the independence of the media.

They also condemn the police turning against demonstrators, arbitrary arrests and attempts to intimidate the opposition and civil society representatives, and support the right of Georgian citizens to demonstrate and express their views freely without threats to their security.