EUROPEAN UNION IS FOLLOWING THE TRIAL OF THE JAVAKHETI POLITICAL ACTIVIST VAHAGN CHAKHALYAN

ArmInfo
2009-10-28 12:22:00

ArmInfo. European Union is following the trial of the Javakheti
political activist Vahagn Chakhalyan.

As Yerkir Union of public organizations for Repatriation and Settlement
reports, the response of European Commissioner for External Relations
Benita Ferrero-Waldner to member of the European Parliament, Sylvie
Guillaume testifies of this. On September 15 the Member of the
European Parliament, Sylvie Guillaume wrote to European Commissioner
for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner, asking him to draw
the attention of the relevant structures of the EU to the case of
the Javakheti political activist Vahagn Chakhalyan. On October 7 Mme.

Ferrero-Waldner responded to this letter, stating that the European
Union is following all the developments in Chakhalyan’s trial through
its Delegation in Georgia.

"As you know, the EU and Georgia, as a part of the Neighborhood policy,
have agreed on a number of ambitious goals. These goals are translated
into specific commitments undertaken by Georgia in the Action Plan,
including the functioning of democratic institutions, the rule of
law and the respect for human rights. The document also contains
provisions on minorities. The commitments undertaken by Georgia
in this field include the rights of ethnic minorities and their
security, respect for property rights and signing and ratification
of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. All
these issues are discussed during our regular political dialogue with
Georgia and are subject to regular review in the Progress Report that
we publish annually for each country participating in the European
Union Neighborhood Policy. Moreover, the recent strengthening of
the Eastern Partnership, both in its multilateral and bilateral
dimensions, will give greater importance to political dialogue with
Georgia. We take every opportunity to remind the Georgian authorities
about the close link between this and the need for further progress on
political pluralism, democracy and respect for minorities. Moreover,
the level of aspiration in relations with the European Union will
depend on the inclusion of these values into policies and actions
undertaken by Georgia. Please be also advised that additional
substantial financial assistance granted to Georgia for the period of
2008-2010 was accompanied by renewed commitments, undertaken by the
Georgian government on democracy, the rule of law and independence
of the judiciary. We take these issues very seriously. Concerning the
Justice System, I must tell you that I attach the highest importance
to the project supporting the reforms in the field, which we assist
financially. It is aimed at making justice more transparent, including
implementation of reforms of the Criminal Justice system of the state
and strengthening the Public Defender’s Office.

Regarding the ongoing trial of Mr. Chakhalyan you mentioned about,
I am pleased to inform you that we follow all the developments through
the careful work of our Delegation to Tbilisi. It follows this process
expeditiously, in close collaboration with the Presidency and Member
States on the spot", the letter of Benita Ferrero-Waldner says.