§ Mr. RosindellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government is taking to ensure that(a) proper democratic processes are being followed and (b) that fair elections are taking place in the Republic of Georgia. [139049]
§ Mr. RammellThe United Kingdom has taken every opportunity, both in our bi-lateral contacts and through our membership of international fora, to impress upon the Georgians the importance of the parliamentary elections being free and fair. Our Embassy in Tbilisi has maintained close and regular contact with government, opposition leaders and the Central Electoral Commission in the run up to, and the aftermath of the elections. We contributed a large number of observers to the OSCE monitoring mission. The UK also helped fund a Georgian NGO, the International Society for Fair Elections, to conduct a media campaign raising awareness of the democratic process.
The UK has endorsed the findings of the International Election Observation Mission on the conduct of the electoral process and encouraged all sides to come to a peaceful, negotiated settlement. The international community, including the UK, has impressed upon the Georgian authorities the need for perceived weaknesses in the electoral system to be resolved before the Presidential elections in 2005. Together with our EU partners, we made a statement on 13 November to this effect. The UK Special 1046W Representative to the South Caucasus also raised the matter with government and opposition politicians during his visit to Tbilisi last week.
We will consider how we can best help the Georgian Electoral Commission to bring about the required improvements in the electoral system.
§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Georgia. [139281]
§ Mr. RammellI refer the hon. Lady to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Romford (Andrew Rosindell) today (UIN 139049).