The Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania encourages the leaders of the Georgian political forces to seek constructive solutions

Press release, 19 February 2021

The Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Seimas adopted a statement, which reads as follows:

“The Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania,

in view of the shortcomings and irregularities, established by international observers, in the parliamentary elections in Georgia on 31 October and 21 November 2020; the boycott of the second round of elections by representatives of the opposition; the inability of the representatives of the political parties elected to the Georgian Parliament to resolve the differences over the elections; the virtual absence of opposition’s participation in the work of the Georgian Parliament, which runs counter to the principles of democratic decision-making and political pluralism as an integral part of democracy, while the Parliament should be the main seat of democracy in the country;

expressing regret over the failure to seize every opportunity to resolve the domestic political disagreements following the 2020 general elections in Georgia, including the failure to engage in dialogue on addressing the shortcomings and violations established during the parliamentary elections;

condemning the further deepening of the antagonism between the ruling party and the opposition and the escalation of the political crisis, which puts the country’s democratic principles at risk and which is carried out through legal instruments, courts and law enforcement bodies by directing them against the leadership of the largest opposition party in Georgia, the United National Movement (UNM);

believing in the future of Georgia as a free, independent and democratic state; supporting the choice of the Georgian citizens to associate their country’s future with the democratic transatlantic community and to aim for integration with the European Union and NATO; and expressing concern over the adverse internal political disagreements in Georgia, which divide the society and have serious repercussions not only for the political but also for economic development of Georgia and its profile in the international community;

calls on the leaders of the newly elected political forces in the Georgian Parliament to seek constructive solutions, take responsibility for the well-being of the country, and represent the interests of all Georgian citizens;

encourages the leaders of the Georgian political parties, law enforcement, and other state authorities to avoid hasty measures in search of the solutions to the political situation in the country acceptable to all parties to the conflict, to maintain dialogue, and seek solutions based on law and democratic tradition, with the Euro-Atlantic future of their country in mind;

invites international parliamentary assemblies to look for ways to help Georgia emerge from the political crisis, help ensure the smooth functioning of the Parliament, provide full assistance to members of Georgian delegations represented in various parliamentary assemblies, and share with them the best practices in strengthening democratic societies and institutions.”

In order to help settle the current political situation, Žygimantas Pavilionis, Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, was sent to Georgia today.

Information prepared by:

Office of the Committee on Foreign Affairs

of the Office of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania,

tel. + 370 5 239 6835, e-mail: [email protected]