(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) BRUSSELS, Oct 5 (KUNA) -- The European Union on Sunday called on all parties in Georgia to exercise "calm and restraint" following Saturday's local elections, urging the Georgian authorities to "uphold citizens' rights to freedom of assembly and expression" and to ensure the "immediate release of all those arbitrarily detained," while strongly condemning what it described as disinformation campaigns targeting the EU.
In a statement, the EU said that "Saturday's local elections in Georgia took place amid a period of extensive crackdown on dissent," noting that "months of raids on independent media, the passing of laws targeting civil society, the jailing of opponents and activists, as well as amendments to the electoral code favoring the ruling party, have all drastically reduced the possibility of having free and competitive elections."
The statement added that "the Georgian authorities' refusal to invite international observers in due time, in particular the OSCE/ODIHR mission, undermined the transparency of the electoral process and prevented credible international monitoring," while "domestic organizations also refrained from observing due to the repressive environment."
The EU also stressed "the importance of a constructive and inclusive dialogue involving all political actors and civil society to ensure stability and democracy," calling on "all sides to refrain from any form of violence."
It further "firmly rejected and condemned the disinformation targeting the EU's role in Georgia," and "denounced the personal attacks against the Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia," stressing that "such actions are unacceptable and undermine the principles of diplomatic relations and mutual partnership."
Georgia's electoral authorities announced on Saturday that the ruling Georgian Dream party, seen as close to Moscow, had won the local elections, amid violent clashes between police and protesters who attempted to storm the presidential palace.
The EU had earlier announced in October 2024 the suspension of Georgia's EU accession process, holding the Georgian government "fully responsible" for undermining the country's democratic path. (end)
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