The 118 Georgian MPs unanimously voted in support of the European aspirations of the Ukrainian people. They adopted the second statement on Ukraine, saying that Russia will force neither Georgia nor Ukraine to change their European options, IPN reports, quoting the information portal “Voice of America”.
“The Parliament of Georgia expresses full solidarity to the Ukrainian people’s aspiration to become a full-fledged member of the European family, founded on freedom, rule of law and human rights, and [the Parliament] is confident that Russia will not be able to change either Ukraine’s or Georgia’s European choice through forcing them not to sign the Association Agreement,” reads the statement of the Georgian lawmakers.
The Georgian legislature adopted the first statement on the situation in Ukraine on December 11. But then the opposition criticized the parliamentary majority, arguing the wording was not strong enough in respect of Russia.
The protests in Ukraine started last November, when the country’s administration suspended the association with the EU. The peaceful protests degenerated into violence in January, after the Supreme Rada adopted a set of laws aimed at punishing those who stage mass protests. As a result, five persons, one of whom a police officer, died. The protesters occupied the offices of the local authorities in a number of regions. The Ukrainian opposition discussed with President Viktor Yanukovich and agreed that all the arrested protesters will be set free and that early presidential elections will be held.
