EU Presidency declaration on the parliamentary elections in Georgia

The European Union is closely following the political situation in Georgia and attaches the utmost importance to the stability of this country. The European Union therefore expresses its deep concern about developments following the parliamentary elections in Georgia held on 2 November.

On the basis of the preliminary findings and conclusions of the International Election Observation Mission, the European Union regrets that the election process has fallen short of a number of OSCE commitments and other international standards. Reported irregularities and delays in the voting process on polling day and in the subsequent counting and tabulation process seem to reflect a lack of political will and administrative capacity for the conduct of free and transparent elections. It is evident that in some regions serious irregularities, including ballot-stuffing, occurred and implausible turn-out data raises deep concerns about respect for voters' and candidates' rights. The European Union regrets these developments which weaken the trust of the Georgian people in the authorities and are in contrast to the evolution towards a democratic civil society.

The European Union calls on all parties in Georgia to show restraint in the present situation refrain from violence and intensify the search for a democratic solution.

The European Union encourages Georgia to pursue its path towards political stability and economic development and expresses its willingness to cooperate with the Georgian authorities, together with the OSCE, to help Georgia lay the basis for a better electoral framework in good time for the presidential elections in 2005. The European Union urges the authorities to avoid in the future problems similar to those faced during the recent elections.

The European Union Special Representative will visit Georgia shortly.

The Acceding Countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia align themselves with this statement.

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• EUHR Solana's intervention before European Parliament plenary on Middle East and Georgia  (13/10/2004)