The European Union awaits the final report of the observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on the recent elections in Georgia, a spokesman for the European Commission announced today during a press conference, quoted by BTA.
The EC is monitoring the events closely and expects the Georgian institutions and the electoral commission to fulfill their obligations by promptly and transparently investigating the reported irregularities and allegations of violations. International observers recorded cases of pressure on voters and abuse of the secrecy of the vote, as well as actions that undermine confidence in the electoral process. Also, according to the EC, disinformation inspired by Russian propaganda was spread to discredit the EU.
The EU calls on Georgia to undertake reforms to align with European principles and review any legislation that restricts citizens' fundamental rights. The issues surrounding the Georgian elections will be discussed at the upcoming meetings of the European Political Family in Budapest and by EU foreign ministers in Brussels.
The speaker noted that the statements of Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, who refused to recognize the election results, were taken into account.
The EC emphasized that the visit of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to Tbilisi is within the framework of bilateral relations between Hungary and Georgia and was not organized with an EU mandate.