Admin l Friday, July 16, 2021
WASHINGTON – The United States of America has said that it is deeply troubled by the decision of the Georgian parliament to give approval to six Supreme Court nominees in contravention of the April 19 agreement between the ruling party and representatives of opposition party.
In a statement, Secretary of State, Mr. Anthony Blinken urged Georgia’s authorities to implement the April 19 agreement, by suspending Supreme Court appointments pending comprehensive, transparent, and inclusive judicial reform.
“ This is what Georgia’s political leaders, including the ruling party, agreed to do”, Blinken said, adding that failure to do so would further undermine the Georgian public’s and international community’s confidence in Georgia’s judiciary and risk undermining Georgia’s democratic development.
“ Incomplete implementation of the April 19 agreement could also weaken investor confidence and diminish the resilience of Georgia’s political and social institutions”, Blinken said in the statement signed by Spokesman, Ned Price.
Mediated by the EU and the United States under the auspices of European Council President Charles Michel, the April 19 agreement committed the signatories to pause “all ongoing appointments” to the Supreme Court until passage of “ambitious judicial reform” in a broad, inclusive, and multiparty reform process.
The United States called on Georgian authorities to restore their commitment to democratic principles and the rule of law, while reinvigorating their partnership with the United States and international community.
