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Part 2

Four EU leaders travelled to Kyiv last Thursday to give their blessing to Ukraine's bid for candidacy
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda told reporters the EU's political backing was very important for Ukrainians: "This is the least we can provide for them."

Outside the summit building, activist Anna Melenchuk from Kyiv told the BBC: "People I know are dying every day at the hands of Russian soldiers. This is why it's so important to have the European Union's support."

It was pro-EU protests that ousted Ukraine's Russia-backed President Viktor Yanukovych in February 2014.

That event in turn led to the annexation of Crimea and the separatist uprisings, the events that Ukrainians see as the start of the current war.

How will Russia react?
The Kremlin knew this was on the cards and has already been acting as if it's no big deal.

Last week in St Petersburg, President Vladimir Putin claimed he had "nothing against" Ukraine's possible membership of the European Union: "It's their sovereign decision to join economic unions or not."

He said it, but did he mean it? It is hard to believe Russia's president would sit back and watch the country he invaded join the European Union.

How might Russia react if Ukraine joins the EU?
President Putin once described Russians and Ukrainians as "one people, a single whole" and views Ukraine as a territory that, historically, belongs to Russia. The Russian invasion is widely seen as his attempt to force Ukraine back into Moscow's orbit, and he shows no sign of ending the offensive.

EU candidate status for Ukraine sends a strong message to Moscow: that neither Kyiv nor Brussels accepts the Putin vision of a new European order.

But he will be aware that the road from candidate status to EU member is a long one. Along the way Ukraine will face plenty of hurdles - quite likely many put there by Russia.

Balkan frustration
The long process of joining the EU frustrated Western Balkan leaders at a separate Brussels summit on Thursday.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama warned Kyiv to be under no illusions: "North Macedonia is a candidate [for] 17 years if I have not lost count, Albania eight, so welcome to Ukraine."

North Macedonian Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski expressed his "dissatisfaction" at the lack of progress in their own bids to join the EU.

Bulgaria is effectively blocking North Macedonia and Albania's membership bids while other countries have yet to make the necessary reforms.

EU awards Ukraine and Moldova candidate status
By Jessica Parker, Joe Inwood & Steve Rosenberg
In Brussels, Kyiv and Moscow

Published
42 minutes ago

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Ukrainians celebrating in Brussels
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Ukrainians waited outside the EU summit building for the leaders to decide on their country's status
Ukraine and Moldova have both been granted EU candidate status, President of the European Council Charles Michel has announced.

"Today marks a crucial step on your path towards the EU," Mr Michel said, describing the European Council's decision as a "historic moment".

Ukraine applied days after the Russian invasion in February, and the process moved at a record speed.

Its president, Volodymyr Zelensky, hailed Thursday's decision.

"It's a unique and historical moment in UA[Ukraine]-EU relations..." he tweeted. "Ukraine's future is within the EU."

The mayor of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, former boxer Vitali Klitschko, paid an emotional tribute to his fellow citizens resisting the invasion.

"We paid a very high price for this chance," he wrote on Telegram. "Yes, we still have a lot to do on the way to the European family.

"But I am sure that Ukraine will do everything necessary, fulfil all the conditions and pass the necessary laws. Because otherwise our state has no future. Indeed, our best defenders are dying for it."

Candidate status is the first official step towards EU membership. But it can take many years to join and there's no guarantee of success.

'Why should we wait?'
The European Commission president said the assessment process would be "merit-based" and "by the book". The Commission is due to take stock at the end of 2022.

The step is undoubtedly be a big moment for Ukraine, and a popular one.

While Moldova's application was accepted, a third former Soviet state, Georgia, has still to qualify for candidacy.

Mr Michel said that the Council recognised the country's "European perspective" and was "ready to grant candidate status once the outstanding priorities are addressed".

Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili tweeted that her country was "ready to work with determination over the next months to reach the candidate status".

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said all three countries were "part of our European family".

"This decision strengthens us all," she tweeted.

"It strengthens Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, in the face of Russian imperialism. And it strengthens the EU. Because it shows once again to the world that we are united and strong in the face of external threats."

President Zelensky spoke of his country's desire for candidate status in almost every speech over the past week. He knows that starting down the path of EU membership will permanently shift Ukraine out of Russia's sphere of influence.

Part 3

1. Fundamental reform of the court system, which aims at the transformation of the logic of influence deeply rooted in the system for years, eradication of the „influence group“, instead of further improvement of the legislation alone. Based on a wide consensus, prepare legal amendments regarding the High Council of Justice (HCOJ), which currently serves as an instrument in the hands of an „influence group“. Before the fundamental reform, to create an alternative power center and restrict the power of „influence groups“ in the HCOJ, immediately take steps: 1) Parliament to immediately elect 5 non-judge members of the Council; 2) Parliament to immediately approve legal amendments, envisaging election/appointment of judges with so-called „double 2/3“ (2/3 of judge and non-judge members of the Council).

2. Fundamental reform of the General Prosecutor’s Office, with the main aim to eliminate the „influence group“ in the Prosecutorial Council. This will reduce the risks of the appointment of the prosecutors loyal to the ruling party. With adequate public engagement, elaborate legal amendments aimed at the creation of effective guarantees for the independence of individual prosecutors.

3. Fundamental reform of the police, which will be aimed at introducing the concept of independent police – Investigative and other police functions to be separated and the head of police no longer be a political appointee, he/she will be elected by the Parliament based on political consensus between the parties with 2/3 of the total number of MPs

Implementation of the mentioned action plan will ensure free and fair elections, including free of corruption and systemic violations; restore constitutional ruling; ensure functional power-sharing, an independent justice system, eradication of corruption (including elite corruption), improvement of the social-economic environment, functional protection of human rights and ultimately deoligarchisation of the country, prevention of authoritarianism and saving democracy.

We are ready to start a joint work on the implementation of this plan in any format, which will be a direct answer to decrease polarization as requested by the Commission.

Otherwise, we will consider that the current Government and GD does not express the historic will of the Georgian people about the European future and Georgian citizens will have the legitimate right to launch a national movement for saving Georgia’s European future.

https://georgiatoday.ge/gakharias-team-offers-roadmap-for-the-eu-candidacy-status-to-govt/

Part 2

Establishment of a dedicated state institution, which will ensure coordination of the EU integration process, including activities of the state institutions (Parliament, President, Government) as well as the relevant CSOs.
Creation of legal framework, to ensure the election of Prosecutor General, Head of State Security Service, Head of Special Investigation Service, Chairperson, and members of Central Election Commission, Supreme Court judges based on consensus between the ruling party and the opposition – by 2/3 of a total number of members of the Parliament, instead of election by the majority of MPs.
Introduce relevant legal and practical changes to ensure effective parliamentary control over law-enforcement and security sectors.
Independent anti-corruption service accountable to the Parliament to be established. The head of the service is to be elected for the specified period (not matching the parliamentary election cycle) with the consensus between the ruling party and the opposition with 2/3 of the total number of MPs. The function of investigation of corruption-related crimes should be removed from the State Security Service, General Prosecutor, and Ministry of Justice, and investigation of all types of such crime, including elite corruption, vote-buying, and election-related corruption crimes should be assigned to the independent anticorruption service.
Start working on the enhancement of the economic governance framework, which involves the creation of a fair economic environment and equal opportunities for the citizens and businesses. Develop a medium-term framework of economic reforms, which will be in line with EU financial support priorities and aimed at solving structural problems, including high unemployment, low FDI and competitiveness, insufficient decentralization, and ineffective social and healthcare policy.
Political pluralism to be ensured in election commissions, including in district and precinct election commissions.
Real power-sharing in the Parliament to be ensured between the ruling party and the opposition – in particular, the role of the opposition to be strengthened in the Foreign Relations Committee, Committee on European Integration, Legal Issues Committee, Procedural Issues, and Rules Committee.

Immediately make a statement on launching fundamental reform of the justice system – Judiciary, Prosecutor’s Office, and the Police. The practice shows that years of reforms of the justice system were finally used by the ruling party to enhance its own power. Therefore, fundamental reforms in this direction will not be legitimate enough before the restoration of the constitutional system in the country. However, it is important to at least start the reform process today and express political willingness.

Gakharia’s team offers roadmap for the EU Candidacy status to Gov’t
"For Georgia" urges the Government to admit problems
by EREKLE POLADISHVILI June 18, 2022 in News Reading Time: 4min read
Natia Mezvrishvili - Deputy Chair of the party "For Georgia"
Natia Mezvrishvili - Deputy Chair of the party "For Georgia"
The situation today, that Georgia has been separated from the „Associated Trio“, is the sole responsibility of the Georgian Dream!

We should all thank Bidzina Ivanishvili, Irakli Kobakhidze, Irakli Gharibashvili, Kakha Kaladze, and the rest of GD for the situation in which Georgia, previously front-runner of the „Associated Trio“, is now perceived by the EU as the country not fit for the membership candidate status! This is your sole responsibility and you cannot escape it; the Georgian people and the country will not allow you!

On many occasions, we have warned GD to acknowledge the problems and take responsibility for the implementation of the fundamental reforms. Despite this, GD was ready to pay any price for retaining the power and as a result, you gave the choice to Georgian citizens – Ivanishvili or European Union.

Despite all, the European aspirations of the Georgian people brought results – the EU has not left Georgia and the Georgian people and gave us chance until 2022 to return to European values.

GD does not have any more trust. In order to regain the trust of citizens and the European Union, first of all, GD should acknowledge the problems and start solving them! If you really want to preserve the European perspective, you should immediately admit that the Oligarch is ruling the country and therefore deoligarchisation is needed. GD should admit that all problems mentioned in the decision of the European Commission actually exist.

After you admit the problems, immediately, before June 24, take responsibility to implement reforms that will correspond to the requirements set by the Commission and accordingly will ensure the Holding of free and fair 2024 elections, real power-sharing, effective parliamentary oversight, an independent judiciary, restoring constitutional order in the country thus supporting the deoligarchisation of Georgia, prevention of authoritarianism and democratic development of the country.

We will present the specific plan and urge GD to immediately start implementation of the present plan, to ensure that Georgia manages to rejoin „Associated Trio“ by the end of 2022!

European Perspective For Georgia – plan

We urge the Government to immediately start the implementation of the plan elaborated by us, which will directly respond to the requirements set in the document issued by the European Commission on June 17, 2022, and will save the EU perspective of Georgia

06.06.2022 / 20:57AA
The Government of Georgia has filed a lawsuit with the Constitutional Court regarding the separation of powers between the President and the Government.
The Government of Georgia has filed a lawsuit with the Constitutional Court regarding the separation of powers between the President and the Government.
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The Government of Georgia has filed a lawsuit with the Constitutional Court of Georgia regarding the dispute over the powers of the bodies provided for in the relevant articles of the Organic Law of Georgia and the Organic Law of Georgia on the Constitutional Court of Georgia. The Georgian government spreads information about it.

According to Revaz Javelidze, the head of the Georgian government administration, the Georgian government is requesting an explanation in the constitutional lawsuit regarding the separation of powers between the President of Georgia and the Government of Georgia regarding the appointment and dismissal of Georgian ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions.

According to Revaz Javelidze, the Constitution does not give the President of Georgia the executive power, as well as the authority to participate in the implementation of the country's domestic and foreign policy.

According to the Constitution of Georgia, it is the exclusive prerogative of the Government of Georgia to decide which ambassador or head of diplomatic mission is most appropriate in a particular situation in an appropriate state or organization in terms of implementing an effective foreign policy.

Today, the Government of Georgia has filed a lawsuit with the Constitutional Court of Georgia regarding the dispute over the powers of the bodies provided for in the relevant articles of the Organic Law of Georgia on the Constitution of Georgia and the Constitutional Court of Georgia.

As you know, the current Constitution of Georgia establishes a system of parliamentary government. In this system, the only supreme body of executive power is the Government of Georgia, which, in accordance with the first paragraph of Article 54 of the Constitution of Georgia, "carries out the domestic and foreign policy of the country."

In accordance with the principles of parliamentary governance, the Constitution also strengthens the institution of a non-executive president - the Constitution does not give the President of Georgia the executive power, nor the authority to participate in the implementation of the country's domestic and foreign policy.

06.06.2022 / 23:33AA
MEPs Andrew Kubilius and Rasa Yuknevichien address the Georgian people in an open letter
MEPs Andrew Kubilius and Rasa Yuknevichien address the Georgian people in an open letter
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MEPs Andrew Kubilius and Rasa Yuknevichien addressed an open letter to the Georgian people.

The letter states that if the outcome on the path to EU membership is less optimistic, the Georgian people should not be disappointed.

"In mid-June, the European Commission will make the long-awaited recommendations on the EU candidate status of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. Then, at the end of June, the EU member states will make a final decision. It is difficult to predict the outcome. "We urge the Georgian people not to be disappointed if the outcome is less optimistic, instead, to join forces for the common cause of Georgia's accession to the European Union," the letter reads.

As for the situation in Georgia, according to MEPs, the situation in the country has deteriorated over the past two years.

"For a long time, Georgia has been at the forefront of the path to EU integration. However, today, in the EU and the European Parliament, the prevailing perception is that the situation in Georgia has deteriorated over the past two years. "This has also complicated the work of Georgia's friends in the EU and the US. As a result, the picture is quite bleak when viewed with different eyes. Oligarchization and consequently polarization in Georgia remain high and concentrated in the hands of one person who is not accountable to the people for democratic elections." In the letter.

The MEPs said in a letter that the arrest of former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili and General Director of the Main Channel, Nika Gvaramia, had some impact on the EU path.

"The former president of Georgia is in prison. Do you all remember how Ukraine's rapprochement with the EU affected the arrest of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko? Unfortunately, despite unprecedented efforts at the EU level, "Michel's agreement has not been implemented yet. Moreover, just when the commission started drafting a recommendation for Georgia's EU candidate status, a head of media critical of the government was arrested, adding another dark spot to Georgia 's image," MEPs said.

In a statement on Georgia's position on Ukraine, MEPs added that the Georgian government should understand that "Ukraine, like an icebreaker, also opens the door to Moldova and Georgia as candidate countries."

Opposition parties should also find the strength to offer the people of Georgia a credible strategy for European integration, which is needed to accomplish this task. "If this does not happen, the Georgian people may have to make a choice - whether under the current political structure, led by Ivanishvili and the Georgian Dream, or Georgia's European future," the MEPs added.

https://www.interpressnews.ge/ka/article/714037-evroparlamentarebi-andrius-kubiliusi-da-rasa-iuknevichi

24.05.2022 / 20:22AA
Ian Kelly and David Kramer - Putin loses in Ukraine, but wins in Georgia

- this is the title of a joint article published on the American news website The Bulwark by former US Ambassador to Georgia Ian Kelly and former US Assistant Secretary of State David Kramer during the George W. Bush administration.

The article talks about Georgia going in the wrong direction and emphasizes that especially after the crisis in Ukraine, the Georgian government is becoming more and more similar to the Russian model, with full one-party rule and persecution of the opposition.

"We owe it to many Georgians who hope to join the European Union and NATO to impose travel bans and other sanctions on those who undermine hope for a future with the West," the statement said.

The authors add that the latest disturbing step on Georgia's path to authoritarianism came last week when a judge sentenced Nika Gvaramia, director of the main opposition TV station Main Channel, to more than three years in prison on politically motivated charges.

Ian Kelly and David Kramer claim that the Georgian Dream has strong control over the judiciary and law enforcement agencies. According to them, the ruling party has been campaigning against the leaders of the opposition, especially the United National Movement.

"Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili , who was arrested after returning to Georgia from Ukraine last fall, has suffered from deteriorating health and ill-treatment in prison," the authors said.

The article says that the Georgian Dream government seems to base its decisions not on whether it promotes integration with Western norms, but on whether their concrete move could offend the Kremlin dictator.

The American authors publish in the publication the failure of the Georgian Dream to carry out reforms to ensure an independent judiciary. They also note the annulment of the April 19 agreement and the cancellation of the construction of the Anaklia deep-water port.

Kelly and Kramer consider the Georgian Dream's policy towards the ongoing war in Ukraine to be the most disturbing. According to them, like Putin, the leaders of the "Georgian Dream" seem to see the war primarily as an opportunity to attack opponents.

"Why did Georgia take such a position of intimidation [against Russia], especially when three-quarters of Georgians surveyed believe that Russian aggression against Georgia is still ongoing and why [the Georgian government] is attacking Ukrainian leaders?" The authors ask.

The publication says that the United States and its European allies must act to persuade the Georgian government, and especially those behind the scenes, to make decisions and pursue policies that move Georgia further away from the West and closer to Russia.

https://www.interpressnews.ge/ka/article/712014-ian-keli-da-devid-krameri-putini-ukrainashi-marcxdeba-magram-sakartveloshi-imarjvebs

Politics
11.04.2022 / 21:04AA
Karl Hartzel - Now the ball is in Georgia's court, a big and difficult job begins
Karl Hartzel - Now the ball is in Georgia's court, a big and difficult job begins
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"Now the ball is in Georgia's court, a big and difficult job is starting," EU Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzel said at a press conference.

According to Carl Hartzel, now is the time when all political parties must unite to do whatever it takes to reform and speed up the process.

"The fact that Commissioner Varheim handed over the questionnaire to Georgia in Luxembourg today is one of the important moments that precede the beginning of the European integration process. This questionnaire contains many detailed questions to the Georgian government.

The Commission has four weeks from today to receive answers to this questionnaire. It is quite a small amount of time, but I want to tell you that the number of questions has been reduced compared to the cases of previous memberships in order to speed up the process.

According to the responses and evaluations, formal opinions will already go to the EU Member States and the EU Council, who will already think and decide on the next steps. This is a special time and the Commission is trying to ensure that this process happens particularly quickly. The EU has never been on such a very fast path before accession, as it is a very important, fundamental process for both the EU and the applicant country. We are currently seeing the fastest process that even the EU can carry out. We can highlight a historic moment, it is a historic moment, but at the same time there are many challenges. It is important that these perspectives are used and that the challenges that exist are overcome. This is a moment for all political parties, When they should do their best and be united in this goal and do everything necessary for the reforms, for the activation of Georgia's role in the world, in Europe. Such a large number support the European aspiration. "So now the ball is in Georgia's court, a big and difficult job is starting," Karl Hartzel told a news conference.

https://www.interpressnews.ge/ka/article/705521-karl-harceli-axla-burti-gaxlavt-sakartvelos-moedanze-didi-da-rtuli-samushao-icqeba

Politics
07.04.2022 / 15:56AA
Nikoloz Khatiashvili, Foreign Policy Research Fellow at Geocase, comments on NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's statement
Nikoloz Khatiashvili, Foreign Policy Research Fellow at Geocase, comments on NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's statement
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Nikoloz Khatiashvili, Foreign Policy Research Fellow at Geocase, comments on NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's statement.

As he mentions, Amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's statement on Georgia and the fact that one of the main issues of the NATO Ministerial is to increase assistance to Georgia, once again confirms importance and role of our country for the Alliance.

“Despite unprecedented military, humanitarian and economic assistance from the West to Ukraine, some steps unfortunately were behindhand, including in terms of political and military support. Given the new geopolitical environment, the member countries of the alliance are well aware that after Ukraine, Georgia may become the next target of Russian aggression, and realize that now is the time to strengthen support for Georgia as quickly and timely as possible. The future decisions of the NATO may open a window of new opportunities for Georgia and provide it with new mechanisms that will make the country more resilient against threats coming from Russia. Coordinated, consistent and active work is now needed with Georgia's key strategic partner - the United States and other member states of NATO - in various areas, including Black Sea security.Georgia on the one hand, has a real potential to play an important role in strengthening energy security and elaboration of alternative energy supply routes for EU countries, and on the other hand, enhance security and stability in the Black Sea region, which will be vital for the future of European security,” said Nikoloz Khatiashvili.

https://www.interpressnews.ge/en/article/119282-nikoloz-khatiashvili-foreign-policy-research-fellow-at-geocase-comments-on-nato-secretary-general-jens-stoltenbergs-statement

Politics
28.01.2022 / 21:39AA
Iago Khvichia - Expectations that Misha and Bidzina will be reconciled tomorrow, he will be released from prison and everything will be fine, it is not serious and no one should have hoped for that

Iago Khvichia - Expectations that Misha and Bidzina will be reconciled tomorrow, he will be released from prison and everything will be fine, it is not serious and no one should have hoped for that

"Expectations that Misha and Bidzina will reconcile tomorrow, he will be released from prison and everything will be fine, are not serious and I think no one should have hoped for that," said Iago Khvichia, one of the leaders of "Girchi" in "360 Degrees" program of "Palitranius". President Salome Zurabishvili 's initiative regarding national consent .

As the opposition politician pointed out, no national agreement is needed.

He said the process launched by the president would not work because it was important for the United National Movement to change its approach.

"I think that no national agreement is needed, there is no national conflict in the country. There are politicians from one party and the other who do not like each other and urge their supporters on a daily basis, through their own media and through politicians, to at least verbally reprimand the supporters of another political force. Consequently, I think this is the end of it. If they want to end, even if the "National Movement" stops unilaterally, it is no longer in the mode of rhetoric and decides to behave like a party that has talks with colleagues about programs, ideas, apologies for something - if they find out, they will really have a chance to transfer. From something crazy in parliamentary life, if not and can continue to do the same on the street, Whatever they were doing through the activists, but for a long time it could not continue because their leader is sitting in jail. The expectation that Misha and Bidzina will be reconciled tomorrow, he will be released from prison and everything will be fine, is not serious and I think no one should have hoped for that. I do not know how far it will take us, but I know nothing that is not spoiled by this, "said Iago Khvichia.

https://www.interpressnews.ge/ka/article/693533-iago-xvichia-molodinebi-rom-xvalve-sherigdebian-misha-da-bizina-is-cixidan-gamova-da-qvelaperi-kargad-ikneba-ar-aris-seriozuli-da-amis-imedad-aravin-unda-qopiliqo-isedac

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