OSCE ready to assist Georgia with parliamentary elections

Georgia, Tbilisi, June 13 / Trend, N.Kirtskhalia / The OSCE stands ready to assist Georgia in holding parliamentary elections scheduled for the autumn. OSCE chairperson, Ireland's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Eamon Gilmore said in a statement at a meeting with Georgian Parliamentary Speaker David Bakradze on Tuesday evening. The conversation mainly covered the future elections in Georgia. The parties stressed their importance both in terms of democracy and stability in the region. Gilmore and Bakradze expressed satisfaction with the fact that the OSCE assessment mission is in Georgia, which observes pre-election processes and studies the legislation to give recommendations. Gilmore welcomed the Georgian authorities' steps to ensure transparency of the forthcoming elections. "The timely invitation of the OSCE /ODIHR by the Georgian authorities to observe the elections will allow experts to assess the situation. An assessment is currently being carried out," he stressed. Gilmore stressed that it depends on the mission what recommendations it will give in connection with the format and duration of a long-term observation mission. "I cannot answer for the experts. We will wait for their recommendations, but it is good they have an opportunity to work," he said. The parties also discussed the role of media freedom in ensuring fair and competitive elections. Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at agency@trend.az