Fuente: © European Union
http://europa.eu.int

EU: EU provides support for upcoming elections in Georgia

/noticias.info/ The Commission has allocated €2 million to support preparations for the forthcoming Parliamentary elections in Georgia, which will take place on the 21st May 2008. This election support is designed to underpin Georgia's own efforts to address shortcomings identified at the time of the Presidential elections in January, and follows requests from the country itself for support in this area. The package will help improve administration of the elections and voter information, and thus ensure a more efficient electoral process.

The Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner said: ‘This project is a clear sign of the EU’s commitment to promoting the development of democratic societies in our neighbourhood. I hope that with the help of the EU assistance shortcomings noted at the last elections in January can be overcome. The successful organisation of these elections will contribute to strengthening the development of a democratic political system in Georgia.’

The main aim of this assistance package is to engage the electorate through voter education and information campaigns, whilst at the same time improving public control and intervention mechanisms. More specifically, the project foresees the revision of voters’ lists, support to the Central Election Council, training of officials and observers. It will also fund an extensive electoral awareness campaign with ethnic minority groups as well as media monitoring.

The Commission's programme is part of a wider international effort, including inter alia the OSCE and the Council of Europe, to support the organisation of these elections.

For more information on EU/Georgia relations please see:

http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/georgia/index_en.htm notas_de_prensa_archivo