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Peter Semneby: November 7 events in Georgia should be investigated transparently and justly

12 November 2007 09:32 (UTC +04:00)

We had no remarks about freedom of expression to Georgia until recent times. But the recent happenings changed our impressions. However, we do not intend to assess the state of freedom of expression in the region,â€ special representative of the European Union for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby told APAâ€™s Georgia bureau exclusively.
Peter Semneby arrived in Tbilisi on November 10, due to the recent events, met representatives of government, opposition, media and NGOs and visited Imedi TV channel, which was closed five days ago with interference of special troops.
EU official said that a part of the TV channelâ€™s technical equipment disappeared.
â€œI did not see the office damaged. But, I should note that windows and doors were broken during the raid of special troops. But we are not technical experts and do not deal with assessing technical and material damage,â€ he said.
Peter Semneby wished Georgia to be stable partner of European Union in South Caucasus.
â€œWe assessed general situation. I want to note that situation in Georgia becomes normal. I regard that November 7 events should be investigated transparently and clearly. I am sure that emergency state in the country will be abolished soon and mass media will run with normal operations. We appreciate dialogue between opposition and authorities positively and hope that January 5 presidential elections will be held due to international norms,â€ he said.
Head of European Commissionâ€™s delegation to Georgia Per Eklund told the APAâ€™s Georgia bureau that dialogue between authorities and opposition will give positive results.
â€œWe can not return past times, but I believe that this dialogue will play a great role in defining future. European Commission and Council of Europe will give necessary support for proper amendments to electoral legislation of the country and carrying out election reforms in Georgia,â€ he said. /APA/