We are closely following the latest political developments in our country. The investigation process initiated by the Prosecutor’s Office against MoD, General Staff Officials and their accusations were followed by a statement of the Minister of Defense directly accusing the Prosecutor’s Office in purposeful persecution and most significantly of deliberate disruption of Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic Integration policy. Because of this the Prime-Minister has discharged the Minister of Defense. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and her deputy, as well as the State Minister on European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, made statements similar to the Minister of Defense and resigned. Statement about resignation has also been made by Georgia’s Ambassador to NATO. The accusations made by politicians about these developments often violate presumption of innocence. Besides, the former Prime-Minister also seems to be actively involved in the process. Concerns about current state of affairs have been lodged by representatives Georgia’s partner and friend countries.
Even though the Prime-Minister, Members of the Government, Chairman of the Parliament and representatives of the ruling coalition have denied accusations regarding the change of the Euro-Atlantic course, we believe that the society needs deeper and more substantial answers about questions that have been brought up.
We would like to stress that integration with European and Euro-Atlantic structures as well as development of democratic institutions is a firm decision of the Georgian people. It is completely unacceptable for any political force or individual to undermine democratic development and Western integration, as well as security and defense of the country.
We, representatives of civil society, cannot be indifferent and passive considering that former Members of the Government have raised an issue on intentional attempts to undermine Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration. We call on the Prime-Minister as well as the former Members of the Government to hold a meeting and give us their assessments on the current situation.
Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI)
Transparency International Georgia
Open Society Georgia Foundation (GYLA)
Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association
Human Rights Center
Identity
Civil Development Agency (CiDA)
Public Movement “Multinational Georgia” (PMMG)
Article 42 of the Constitution
Economic Policy Research Center (EPRC)
International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED)
