Check against delivery!

Grazie Madam President, dear Minister [of Defence of Sweden, Pål Jonson], Honourable Members [of the European Parliament],

The European Union has been following, at the Commission, the situation of Mr [Mikheil] Saakashvili very closely.  

Since his return to Georgia in September 2021, Mr Saakashvili – as it was mentioned by Minister [of Defence of Sweden, Pål] Jonson – is being detained under charges of abuse of power, among others, for which he had been convicted in absentia. Due to health issues, he was transferred to a medical, civilian clinic in May 2022 at the request of his family and lawyers.

We have been paying particular attention to the numerous concerning reports on Mr Saakashvili’s deteriorating medical condition, and we have frequently raised the issue both with the Georgian authorities directly, as well as in our public statements.  

Most recently, on 28 December, our European Union Delegation together with the European Union Member States represented in Georgia, carried out a formal démarche vis-à-vis the Minister of Justice. They expressed concerns on reports of the deteriorating medical condition of Mr Saakashvili. This was followed up with a dedicated meeting with the Ministry of Justice by our European Union Ambassador in Georgia.  

In these instances, and in all previous occasions, we have repeated that it is the Georgian authorities’ responsibility to take all necessary measures to protect Mr Saakashvili’s health.   

We have consistently stressed – both in private meetings and publicly – that the Georgian authorities have a legal responsibility to ensure the health of all detainees, to provide adequate medical treatment and respect their fundamental rights, in line with Georgia’s international commitments.

In addition, we systematically monitor Mr Saakashvili’s court hearings – both regarding further charges brought against him and on his request to be transferred abroad.  

We have also recalled that his rights as a defendant in Court should be safeguarded, including the right to be present himself in Court. His rights as an inmate should also be respected, including his right to privacy.

Hence, the position of the European Union has been made very clear: the Georgian authorities have a responsibility to act, if Mr Saakashvili’s health is in a critical condition.  

On this point, assessments of his health condition as well as the adequacy of health care available in Georgia are being contested by the different sides. I believe that it is in everyone’s interest that the Georgian authorities consider drawing on medical expertise from an independent, uncontested, international organisation. The European Union remains fully available to assist our Georgian partners in this matter.  

Thank you.  

 

Link to the video (starting from 2:59): https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-236824

Closing remarks  

Madam President, dear Minister [of Defence of Sweden, Pål Jonson], Honourable Members [of the European Parliament],

Let me assure you that we will continue to closely monitor the developments regarding Mr Saakashvili’s health and we will keep mobilising all our diplomatic efforts in order to avoid any dramatic outcome that would carry unpredictable risks.  

At the same time, we remain fully engaged in supporting and encouraging Georgia’s ruling party and opposition parties to deliver and implement, in an inclusive and constructive way, key reforms in line with the European Union’s 12 priorities.   

 

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-236826