On August 2, the US Ambassador to Georgia, Kelly Degnan gave comments on the Charles Michel Agreement, its continued relevance and the need for turning it into a broad framework for reforms.
“All the statements that I’ve read make it clear how disappointed Georgia’s friends are, that Georgian Dream has decided to withdraw from this agreement. It is the best roadmap negotiated by Georgia’s political leaders over six months for the kinds of reforms that Georgia needs to do and the idea, or value of the agreement was that parties negotiated this together and committed together to pursue these reforms. So, it is our hope that the agreement can continue to provide a kind of structure and framework for the parties to work together. Unilateral reforms are not what Georgia needs. Georgia needs multi-party reforms that all of the leaders elected by Georgia’s voters can pursue and advance. I hope we will see the agreement remain in force, continue to provide guidance that Georgian leaders need to enact the necessary reforms. The focus needs to be on fulfilling the commitments that Georgian Dream and all of the signatories to the agreement made. They gave their word that they will implement the agreement in good faith and they need to continue to do that.
Talk of sanctions in my view is premature until we see that there is a lack of good faith to fulfill the commitments that were made by the signatories of this agreement. We will continue to urge all the parties, who have not signed to sign. Because it is important that this turns into a broad agreement. In the meantime, those who did sign gave their word and committed to fulfill the terms of this agreement,” – noted Ambassador Degnan.
On July 28, the Georgian Dream announced that the Charles Michel Agreement had expired and that it had been annulled.
With this decision, the ruling party has refused to commit to holding early parliamentary elections in case of receiving less than 43% at the upcoming local election. Therefore, the appointment of early parliamentary elections will depend on their good will.
The Charles Michel document was signed on April 19, after six months of negotiations between the government and the opposition. UNM, Elene Khoshtaria and European Georgia did not sign the document.
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