Rezolucje PE

The killing of Tamaz Ginturi, a Georgian citizen, by Russia’s occupying forces in Georgia

The European Parliament adopted on 23 November 2023 a resolution on "the killing of Tamaz Ginturi, a Georgian citizen, by Russia's occupying forces in Georgia" tabled by the EPP, S&D, Renew, Greens/EFA and ECR groups.

Reiterating their unwavering support Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, the Members condemned the murder of Tamaz Ginturi and the illegal abduction of Levan Dotiashvili, and called for a thorough investigation into this and other murders.

They urged Russia to implement the EU-mediated 2008 Ceasefire Agreement, withdraw all occupation forces, and release all Georgian citizens in the illegal custody in the occupied Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia.

They called on the Council to impose targeted sanctions on those responsible for violations of Georgian sovereignty, territorial integrity and human rights, and denounced Russian interference in the domestic politics of Georgia.

Situation of the former President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili

The European Parliament adopted on 15 February 2023 a resolution on "the situation of former President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili" tabled by the EPP, S&D, Renew, Greens/EFA and ECR groups.

Expressing their grave concerns about the deteriorating health of the former Georgian President, who has been detained since October 2021 and suffered poisoning by heavy metals while in detention, the Members reminded the Georgian authorities of their responsibility to respect Mr Saakashvili's fundamental rights and personal dignity and to provide him with adequate medical treatment abroad, in line with EU values and with the country's constitution and international commitments.

Furthermore, the Members reiterated their call on the Council to impose sanctions on oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili for his nefarious role in the deterioration of the political process in Georgia.

Candidate status of Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia

The European Parliament adopted on 23 June 2022 a resolution on the candidate status of Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia, tabled by the EPP, S&D, Renew, Greens/EFA and ECR groups.

Ahead of the European Council summit, the Members called on the Heads of State or Government to grant EU candidate status to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova without delay, and to do the same with Georgia once its government has delivered on the priorities outlined by the European Commission.

The Members insisted that there was no 'fast-track' for EU membership and that accession remained a merit-based and structured process, which required EU membership criteria to be fulfilled and was dependent on the effective implementation of reforms.

The resolution stressed that there was no alternative to enlargement, which is more than ever a geostrategic investment in a stable, strong and united EU.

Violations of media freedom and the safety of journalists in Georgia

The European Parliament adopted on 9 June 2022 a resolution on "Violations of media freedom and the safety of journalists in Georgia" tabled by the EPP, S&D, Renew, Greens/EFA and ECR groups.

The Members deplored the significant deterioration of the media situation in Georgia, including cases of intimidation, threats and violence, and politically motivated criminal investigations into media workers and owners, singling out the sentencing of Mtavari Arkhi channel Director Nika Gvaramia. They commended the Public Defender Nino Lomjaria for her work and called on the Georgian authorities to improve media freedom and the independence of the judiciary in the country.

The Members called for the release of former President Mikhail Saakashvili from prison on humanitarian grounds in order to allow him to undergo proper medical treatment abroad, and for the imposition of personal sanctions on oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili for his role in the deterioration of the political process in Georgia.

Persecution of human rights defenders in Azerbaijan

3 BACKUP) The winner of the 2014 Sakharov Prize  is Leyla Yunus
3 BACKUP) The winner of the 2014 Sakharov Prize is Leyla Yunus © European Union 2014 - European Parliament
The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the persecution of human rights defenders in Azerbaijan.

The resolution was tabled by the ECR, ALDE, S&D, EPP, GUE/NGL and Greens/EFA groups.

It reiterated its call on the Azerbaijani government to take concrete steps to improve the human rights situation in the country as a matter of urgent priority, including immediately and unconditionally releasing all political prisoners and ceasing politically motivated arrests. In this connection, Members called for the immediate and unconditional release of Leyla Yunus, Arif Yunus, Rasul Jafarov, Intigam Aliyev and Hasan Huseyni, who were some of the country's most prominent human rights defenders.

Parliament cited the cases of many more journalists, human rights defenders and activists who were facing legal charges brought against them in Azerbaijan [...]

Draft Council decision on the EU-Georgia Association Agreement

AFET Chair with President of Georgia
AFET Chair with President of Georgia © European Union 2016 - European Parliament
The European Parliament adopted by 491 votes to 84, with 63 abstentions, a non-legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, of the one part, and Georgia, of the other part.

Parliament welcomed the signature of the Association Agreement as constituting a significant step forward in EU-Georgia relations.

Parliament stressed that Georgia - like any other European state - has a European perspective and may apply to become a member of the Union provided that it adheres to the principles of democracy, respects fundamental freedoms and human and minority rights, and ensures the rule of law. It stressed that the Agreement covers the entire internationally recognised territory of Georgia [...]

Centenary of the Armenian Genocide

Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day is observed on April 24 ©BELGA_DPA_J.Kalaene
Twelve pylons are grouped around the eternal flame at the Armenian Genocide memorial complex on the hill of Tsitsernakaberd in the Armenian capital Yerevan ©BELGA_DPA_J.Kalaene © BELGA_DPA_J.Kalaene
The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the centenary of the Armenian Genocide.

The text adopted in plenary had been tabled as a joint resolution by the PPE, S&D, ECR, ALDE, GUE/NGL, Verts/ALE and EFDD groups.

On the eve of the centenary. Parliament paid tribute, to the memory of the innocent Armenian victims, numbering one-and-a-half million, who perished in the Ottoman Empire. Joining the commemoration, Parliament called on the Commission and the Council to join in.

Members encouraged Turkey to use the commemoration to continue its efforts to come to terms with its past, notably by the opening of the archives, and thus to pave the way for a genuine reconciliation between the Turkish and Armenian peoples.

Turkey was called on to respect and realise fully the obligations which it has undertaken. Parliament urged Turkey and Armenia to normalise their relations.