WRITTEN QUESTION E-1512/02 by Olivier Dupuis (NI) to the Commission. Political and institutional situation in Georgia.
Date: 2002-05-29
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Georgia, cooperation policy, corruption, democracy, electoral law, local election, political situation

C 28 E/114

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.2.2003

Wine is defined in the Community rules as the product obtained exclusively from total or partial alcoholic
fermentation of fresh grapes, whether or not crushed, or of grape must. Thus alcoholic fermentation of
dried grapes cannot produce wine and the Commission considers that dried grape vinegar, not being
produced from wine, is not covered by Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999.

The Commission therefore has no plans for addition to the Regulation of definitions or specific provisions
relating to that product.

(1) OJ L 160, 12.6.1989.

(2003/C 28 E/128)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1512/02

by Olivier Dupuis (NI) to the Commission

(29 May 2002)

Subject: Political and institutional situation in Georgia

the Citizens’ Union of Georgia (CUG) was forbidden by a Tbilisi court

On 29 April 2002,
from
participating in the country’s first municipal elections, which will take place on 2 June 2002. The decision
was taken on the basis of a petition submitted by four citizens, without the party officials having been
heard by the court. Although it should have been sent directly to the Central Electoral Committee, the
decision was not sent until 3 May, which prevented the party officials from lodging an appeal with the
court before 7 May, the deadline for the submission of lists of candidates for the elections. More seriously,
the Supreme Court, with which Mr Zurab Zhvania, leader of the Citizens’ Union of Georgia, had lodged
the appeal, deliberately delayed proceedings, thereby making it impossible for the lists of candidates to be
presented within the time allowed. Moreover, the Central Electoral Committee repealed the article of the
electoral
the various parties in the electoral
committees of the various districts. Finally, there have been numerous cases of CUG members in the
Central Electoral Committee being subjected to threats and intimidation.

law providing for the presence of representatives of

What political initiatives and diplomatic steps has the Commission taken, or does it intend to take, before
the elections on 2 June so as to persuade the Georgian authorities to reconsider this very serious decision
and ensure full compliance with the electoral laws in force? More generally, does not the Commission
believe that it is high time for the EU to move from occasional criticism of corruption to the drawing up
of a policy based on the definition of a clear prospect for Georgia’s accession to the EU as the foundation
for a policy of ambitious reforms in that country?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(25 June 2002)

The Commission shares concerns about insufficient progress with democratic reform in Georgia. The way
the local elections were conducted last 2 June 2002 was a worrying confirmation of a long-standing
pattern. In particular, it was disappointing that commitments to introduce electoral reforms, undertaken
following the Presidential elections in 2000, were not respected.

The Commission takes every possible opportunity to express its concerns to the Georgian authorities,
including in the framework of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. The last occasion was during
the visit of President Shevardnadze to Brussels last March. The Commission will continue to do so on the
occasion of the forthcoming EU-Georgia Cooperation Committee on 26 June 2002 which will prepare for
the next EU-Georgia Cooperation Council on 1 October 2002.

The Commission already (1) had the opportunity to explain why it considers that there is no realistic
prospect of Georgia’s accession to the EU in present circumstances. The priority today should be to resolve
the two internal conflicts, as well as to implement the reform agenda and to maximise the potential offered
by the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. The Commission shall continue to support Georgia
through cooperation and assistance programmes and with political support.

(1) Reply to oral question H-0372/02 by the Honourable Member, written reply, June 2002.