Saakashvili receives a letter from heads of European Commission, European Council

Imprisoned former president of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili has received a letter on behalf of the heads of the European Commission and the European Council. 

In the letter the EU officials welcomed Saakashvili’s transfer to the Gori military hospital and his decision to end the hunger strike, wishing him a  successful recovery. 

“The Georgian authorities have a legal responsibility to ensure the health of all prisoners and therefore to provide adequate medical treatment. We also urge Georgia to comply with its responsibilities under the European Convention on Human Rights, and to adhere fully to the interim measures issued by the Court,” said the letter. 

The letter said that ‘we will be particularly attentive to the upholding of your fundamental rights as well as to see due legal process being applied.’ 

“Beyond this, an independent, transparent and accountable judiciary, adhering to the highest standards of ethics and integrity, and addressing the shortcomings witnessed during the last elections, are not only legitimate expectations from Georgian citizens, but are also crucial to the EU- Georgia relationship and in line with commitments taken within our Association Agreement,” said the letter. 

The EU officials stated that the timely adoption and implementation of inclusive reforms ‘remain the best chance of tangible progress in further building Georgia’s democracy and resilience, and ending the damaging polarisation currently affecting the Georgian political system.’