EU steunt organisatie verkiezingen in Georgië met 2 miljoen euro (en)

The European Commission has decided today to make available €2mio under its Rapid Reaction Mechanism in support of the Presidential Elections of 4 January and the forthcoming parliamentary elections in Georgia. The EC will support electoral assistance in Georgia conducted by specialised international agencies (UNDP in coordination with the OSCE), in order to help enhance the transparency, credibility and legitimacy of the elections. Elections conducted in line with international standards are likely to have a stabilising influence on the situation in Georgia.

The Commission considers the Presidential elections, called at very short notice after President Shevardnadze's resignation on 23 November 2003, and the forthcoming parliamentary elections of crucial importance to Georgia's political and economic future.

Member States and the Commission have welcomed the non-violent political transition that took place in the country. They have expressed the hope that the forthcoming elections will be conducted in accordance with international standards and will provide a basis for the enhancement of better governance, more stability and better economic prospects in the country. They have expressed readiness to assist Georgia in and beyond this transition period.

The most immediate challenge is the holding of elections in accordance with international standards. Therefore, the Commission has decided today to make available under its Rapid Reaction Mechanism €2 million in support of electoral assistance to the Georgian electoral authorities and for civic and voter education.

The European Commission will sign an agreement with the United Nations Programme for Development, which operates in close coordination with the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Georgian electoral authorities. The UNDP has developed a project addressing the major structural deficiencies which have made possible electoral fraud in the past.

The EC's contribution to the programme will be used for:

- immediate material and logistical support enhancing the secrecy, transparency and efficiency of the elections and the accuracy of the processing of the election results;

- an improvement of the legal electoral framework

- managerial and technical capacity building of Georgian electoral staff

Considering the importance of informed electoral participation, a voter education programme covering most of the country will be supported; this programme will be implemented in cooperation with civil society organisations.

For further information:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/georgia/intro/index.htm

http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/human_rights/eu_election_ass_observ/index.htm