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Joint statement by the Chair of the Delegation for relations with the South Caucasus,

MEP Nils U艩AKOVS, and the European 合法博彩网站's Standing Rapporteur on Armenia, MEP Miriam LEXMANN,

on the adoption by the National Assembly of Armenia of the law on the initiation of the process of accession of Armenia to the European Union

Brussels, 26 March 2025 - "Today's adoption at second and final reading by the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia of the law, proposed by a citizens' initiative, by which it declares the initiation of the process of accession of Armenia to the EU, marks another significant step in the already very strong EU-Armenia relations. We take note of this decision and welcome it as another clear expression of Armenia's steadfast commitment to our shared values and the country's democratic path.

Pursuant to Article 49 of the Treaty of European Union, any European state may apply to become a member of the EU provided that it adheres to the Copenhagen criteria and the principles of democracy, respects fundamental freedoms and human and minority rights and upholds the rule of law. We note the Armenian government's intention to discuss a possible roadmap with the EU and consult the population in a referendum in the future. We recall that EU accession is a complex, long-term and merit-based process and stand ready to continue supporting Armenia in its reform efforts, as well as in ensuring its resilience, based in particular on the existing EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement and the upcoming ambitious Partnership Agenda. We encourage the Commission, the High Representative/Vice-President and the Council to actively support Armenia's desire for increased cooperation with the EU in all dimensions and its European aspirations."

Joint statement by

鈥� the Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, MEP David McALLISTER,

鈥� the Chair of the Delegation to the Euronest 合法博彩网站ary Assembly, MEP Sergey LAGODINSKY,

鈥� the Chair of the Delegation for relations with the South Caucasus, MEP Nils U艩AKOVS,

鈥� the European 合法博彩网站's Standing Rapporteur on Armenia, MEP Miriam LEXMANN,

鈥� the European 合法博彩网站's Standing Rapporteur on Azerbaijan, MEP Dan BARNA,

on the conclusion of negotiations on the draft Peace Agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Brussels, 18 March 2025 - "We welcome the successful conclusion of negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan on the full text of the draft Agreement on Peace and Establishment of Interstate Relations.

The government of Armenia deserves credit for this significant development, following its announcement that it accepts Azerbaijan's proposals on the last two unresolved articles and its declaration of readiness to sign the agreement as soon as possible. We trust that the Azerbaijani leadership will seize this historic occasion to end decades of conflict and build a prosperous South Caucasus by signing and implementing the Peace Agreement as concluded in the negotiations.

We also encourage further progress in the border delimitation process, and on opening the regional communications on the basis of sovereignty and jurisdiction of either country, reciprocity and equality, as a key measure to unblock regional development, enhance connectivity and foster sustainable peace and prosperity, as well as facilitate reconciliation among communities based on increased people-to-people contacts.

In the same spirit, we also trust that the government of 罢眉谤办颈测别 will seize the opportunity to support the current positive developments in the region and reciprocate Armenia's readiness to open the Armenian-Turkish border for the benefit of its own citizens and the entire South Caucasus."

Joint statement by

鈥� the Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, MEP David McALLISTER

鈥� the Chair of the Delegation to the Euronest 合法博彩网站ary Assembly, MEP Sergey LAGODINSKY

鈥� the Chair of the Delegation for relations with the South Caucasus, MEP Nils U艩AKOVS

鈥� the Standing Rapporteur for Georgia, MEP Rasa JUKNEVI膶IEN臇 and

鈥� the Chair of the EP Election Observation Mission for the 2024 parliamentary elections in Georgia, MEP Antonio L脫PEZ-IST脷RIZ WHITE

We express our profound concern regarding the further deterioration of the political situation in Georgia. We are shocked by the news that former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia was violently assaulted in a Batumi hotel and afterwards treated in hospital. This is yet another example of the escalating violence orchestrated by the Georgian Dream and its allies against peaceful protesters and dissidents.

We stand with the peaceful protesters who for 50 days have been demonstrating every evening in the streets of Georgia for a democratic and Euro-Atlantic future of their country. Georgia was for many years a champion of Euro-Atlantic aspirations with an overwhelming support of the people for this choice. That has not changed. What has changed is that the Georgian Dream has denied Georgians their future and does not even pretend anymore that they want a European democracy for Georgia.

The deteriorating situation in Georgia should not stay without a response. We stand by the position that currently President Salome Zourabichvili is the only clearly legitimate representative of the will of the Georgian people. We do not recognise the results of the parliamentary elections on 26 October 2024, as they were fraudulent and did not respect international standards for democratic elections. We do not recognise any decisions taken by this body. We strongly encourage the EU and its Member States to introduce personal sanctions against all those who are responsible for the democratic backsliding, in particular Bidzina Ivanishvili and Irakli Kobakhidze.

We encourage individual Member States and relevant regional organisations to avoid actively legitimizing the self-appointed Georgian Dream authorities and call in this regard for suspending the EU Georgia Association Council. We urgently call for early elections, conducted in an improved election environment, managed by an independent and impartial election administration with widespread international observation, to ensure a genuinely free, fair and transparent process that would represent the will of the people of Georgia.

Joint statement by

路 the Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, MEP David McALLISTER and

路 the Chair of the Delegation for relations with the South Caucasus, MEP Nils U艩AKOVS

路 the Standing Rapporteur for Georgia, MEP Rasa JUKNEVI膶IEN臇

路 the Chair of the Delegation to the Euronest 合法博彩网站ary Assembly, MEP Sergey LAGODINSKY

Brussels 5 of December 鈥濿e condemn the escalating repressions by the Georgian authorities against the democratic opposition and excessive use of force against peaceful protesters. Arrests of opponents and searches of offices are part of the toolbox of authoritarian regimes and have no place in a country with EU membership aspirations. Georgian Dream is directly responsible for the continuous democratic backsliding and the dramatic shift of the country away from its European path, contrary to the will of the vast majority of the people. Ongoing protests across the country are a legitimate expression of the widespread concern about the future of Georgia under the current leadership.

We call on the EU and its member states to introduce personal sanctions against all those political leaders of the Georgian Dream who are responsible for the reported election irregularities and subsequent repressions against Georgian citizens protesting on the streets. Furthermore, we recall our demand to introduce targeted sanctions against Bidzina Ivanishvili, who is the person ultimately politically responsible for the wave of repressions and the suspension of the European integration process. Georgia needs a re-run of the rigged elections, which would be conducted in an improved electoral environment by an independent and impartial election administration, under diligent international observation, ensuring a genuinely fair and transparent process.

We express our full support to President Salome Zourabichvili, who remains a steadfast defender of democracy and European integration of Georgia. 合法博彩网站 stands with the brave people of Georgia and their choice for a European future."

Joint statement by

路 the Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, MEP David McALLISTER and

路 the Chair of the Delegation for relations with the South Caucasus, MEP Nils U艩AKOVS

路 the Standing Rapporteur for Georgia, MEP Rasa JUKNEVI膶IEN臇

on the Georgian government's decision to pause its accession to the European Union

Brussels, 29 November 2024 - "We regret the Georgian government's decision to pause the efforts to start the accession negotiations with the EU, as announced on 28 November by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. We recall that it was the sovereign decision of Georgia to apply for EU membership in March 2022, and that it was granted candidate status in December 2023. Instead of using this historic opportunity and moving forward with the accession process, there has been a continuous democratic backsliding in Georgia.

We reiterate that the last parliamentary elections did not respect international standards for democratic elections. The reported electoral fraud undermines the integrity of the election process and the legitimacy of the new government.

We are deeply concerned about the rights of pro-European Georgians who took to the streets to protest against the government's plan to stop the EU integration process. We condemn the use of violence against them and call on the relevant authorities to stop using force against peaceful protesters. We reiterate that the right to peaceful assembly is a fundamental right, which needs to be rigorously respected.

We recall our unwavering support for the Georgian people's legitimate European aspirations and their wish to live in a prosperous and democratic country. We will continue to support the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of Georgian people and assist civil society and pro-democratic movements to steer the country back towards a democratic and European path."

Joint statement by

路 the Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, MEP David MCALLISTER and

路 the Chair of the Delegation for relations with the South Caucasus, MEP Nils U艩AKOVS

路 the Chair of the Delegation to the Euronest 合法博彩网站ary Assembly, MEP Sergey LAGODINSKY

on the parliamentary elections in Georgia

Brussels, 28 October 2024 - "On Saturday 26 October, Georgia held parliamentary elections following a highly polarised and tense election campaign and among concerns about the country's democratic backsliding.

Georgian people have once again showed their engagement and commitment to democracy, not only by using their right to vote in large numbers but also by active participation in observing these elections and reporting irregularities.

According to the preliminary findings and conclusions of OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) International Election Observation Mission, which included the European 合法博彩网站 election observation delegation, these elections were marred by reports of pressure on voters, uneven playing field, polarized media environment and political instrumentalization. Among irregularities reported by international observers, there were incidents of violence, vote buying, double-voting, media and observers' removal, intimidation of voters inside and outside the voting stations. All reported violations must be investigated and addressed under the appropriate complaints and appeals procedures without due delay.

This is a pivotal moment for Georgia. These were the first elections since the country was granted EU candidacy status in 2023, a process de facto halted following the adoption of the Foreign Agents Law. Georgian people have continuously demonstrated that they want democratic Georgia in the European Union[...]