Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-12-18-Speech-4-173"
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"en.20031218.7.4-173"2
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".
Mr President, honourable Members, the European Union is very satisfied by the peaceful outcome to the political changes that have occurred in Georgia, following the parliamentary elections on 2 November and President Shevardnadze’s resignation.
Georgia now has a unique opportunity to leave the past behind in order to build a better future for all its citizens, one that is founded upon a clear commitment to democracy, to the rule of law, and to the market economy. One must not, however, underestimate the challenges it will face, but, in view of Georgia’s commitment to reform, Commissioner Patten wanted me to assure your House of the EU’s willingness to do everything in its power to help Georgia meet these challenges.
The most immediate challenge facing Georgia comes in the form of the democratic presidential elections to be held on 4 January, to be followed later by parliamentary elections in accordance with the undertakings given to the OSCE and the Council of Europe. The Commission intends to grant Georgia a package of at most EUR 2 million to support preparations for these elections.
Georgia is also facing very serious difficulties with its budget. The Commission has just directed that the sum of EUR 5 million be paid under a fast-track procedure for a food safety programme in order to enable Georgia to meet its most urgent needs during the winter months.
Now that democratic elections have been held, the Commission will support the newly-elected president, who is determined to introduce reforms. We have re-examined our strategy in relation to Georgia, which provides a sound basis on which the country may be helped to tackle the priority areas in which reforms are indispensable. Action to combat the scourge of corruption will assume crucial importance for any programme of reform to bear lasting fruit. The Commission will consider the means whereby substantial resources may be mobilised in support of such reforms.
I also want to stress that the Commission is already, under the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights, providing aid to Georgia to help ensure that these are respected. Alongside the Council of Europe, we are also working to strengthen local democracy and the machinery for protecting human rights. We will, over the coming months, be giving consideration to whether or not we need to change what we are doing in the light of recent political changes in Georgia.
The European Union has for a long time demonstrated its support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The endeavour to resolve the conflicts that are rending the country asunder, bringing long-term stability to this region of the South Caucasus, and establishing good working relations, founded upon mutual respect, between Georgia and Russia, will play an important part in this. For its part, the European Union is examining new ways of giving support that will resolve conflicts or prevent them arising in the first place. The Commission will stand ready to support rehabilitation efforts in the aftermath of conflicts.
The Commission is, in close collaboration with the EU’s special representative for the South Caucasus, Mr Heikki Talvitie, making resolute efforts at devising a broader policy for the European Union in its relations with the South Caucasus region, in which process our efforts at providing support for Georgia are both a major element, and, at this present time, crucial."@en1
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