The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, has responded to the signing of an agreement between the Georgian Dream and the opposition parties.
“Sakartvelos Gaumarjos! Congratulations to political leaders on signing the deal out of the current crisis. You put the people’s interests first and let democracy prevail. Thanks to President Salome Zurabishvili and all parties,” he tweeted.
The ruling team and a part of the opposition parties have signed the new agreement presented by Michel this evening. The official signing ceremony took place at Orbeliani Palace in Tbilisi, while the mediator himself attended it virtually.
At this stage, the document is signed by opposition parties ‘Lelo,’ ‘Citizens,’ ‘Republicans,’ ‘Strategy Builder,’ ‘Girchi’ and ruling party ‘Georgian Dream.’ The document will be signed individually by UNM member Salome Samadashvili and former chairman of European Georgia Davit Bakradze. Founder of ‘Girchi – More Freedom’ Zurab Japaridze will also sign the document proposed by European mediators.
Earlier today, President Salome Zurabishvili announced that she would pardon Giorgi Rurua, a shareholder of the opposition-minded ‘Main Channel,’ under certain conditions.
“I am ready to make a scandalous decision for myself and pardon Giorgi Rurua, however, this step should be the last chord to end this crisis and pave the way for the country and parliament to enter a normal political regime and face challenges without any other demands.
“My decision will be implemented only when the parties sign the final document and enter Parliament, and when the representatives of the EU and the US announce that an agreement has been reached.
“I will sign the pardon act within a week after this announcement,” the President said.
The release of Giorgi Rurua was one of the demands made by the opposition as a precondition to enter the parliament.
Agreement in #Georgia
Sakartvelos Gaumarjos!
Congratulations to political leaders on signing the deal out of the current crisis.
You put the people's interests first and let democracy prevail.
Thanks to President @Zourabichvili_S and all parties. pic.twitter.com/cBm4pRQwWr
— Charles Michel (@eucopresident) April 19, 2021
