Pawel Herczynski, the European Union Ambassador to Georgia, on Friday highlighted the bloc’s expectation for a free and fair October 26 general elections. Speaking on the EU’s stance, Herczynski stressed the importance of international standards, stating, “We sincerely hope that the elections will be held in accordance with the highest international standards and will be assessed by international observers. If this does not happen, we are ready to present different options at our disposal. This is not a threat, this is a reality.”
The ambassador stressed the EU was monitoring developments closely and was prepared to react based on the election outcome. He referenced past instances where the EU had to respond to irregularities, suggesting that sanctions could be considered if the elections are not deemed free and fair. “The introduction of sanctions is not easy because it requires full consent,” he noted, but added that suspending visa-free travel could be a more accessible option.
Herczynski underscored the EU’s commitment to upholding the principles that underpin visa-free agreements, including democracy, rule of law, and minority rights. “If these principles… are not respected, we will have to respond,” he warned, adding that while the EU did not wish to penalize ordinary citizens, it was prepared to address the actions and decisions of the Georgian government.
