President of the OSCE PA appeals to Georgian authorities
(OSCE/Alex Nitzsche)Bruce George, the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, speaking to the press in Vienna, 4 September 2003. (OSCE/Alex Nitzsche) Photo details
MAASTRICHT, 30 November 2003 - The President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Bruce George, will meet in Maastricht the acting President of Georgia, Nino Burjanadze, who will attend the Ministerial Council Meeting of the OSCE in Maastricht.
Mr. George appeals to the Georgian Government and Parliament to do their utmost to organize presidential and parliamentary elections, which would meet international standards.
"Free and fair elections are a cornerstone of democracy. Presidential elections will take place on 4 January 2004, in accordance with the Constitution. New parliamentary elections also need to take place. Every effort must be taken to improve the present electoral structures and processes. Therefore I appeal to the government not to hold parliamentary and presidential elections simultaneously on January 4. Elections which do not meet international standards, would be detrimental to democracy and public credibility of the electoral process".
He also appealed to the international community to help fund these elections and to assist as in the past in advising and monitoring. He also urged the international community, many of whose countries are represented in Maastricht, to provide substantial economic assistance to Georgia during its difficult period of its history.
Mr. George appeals to the Georgian Government and Parliament to do their utmost to organize presidential and parliamentary elections, which would meet international standards.
"Free and fair elections are a cornerstone of democracy. Presidential elections will take place on 4 January 2004, in accordance with the Constitution. New parliamentary elections also need to take place. Every effort must be taken to improve the present electoral structures and processes. Therefore I appeal to the government not to hold parliamentary and presidential elections simultaneously on January 4. Elections which do not meet international standards, would be detrimental to democracy and public credibility of the electoral process".
He also appealed to the international community to help fund these elections and to assist as in the past in advising and monitoring. He also urged the international community, many of whose countries are represented in Maastricht, to provide substantial economic assistance to Georgia during its difficult period of its history.