The chair of Georgia’s largest opposition party, the United National Movement (UNM), has been freed from pre-trial detention after the EU posted his bail.

Vice-Chair of the Delegation to the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly, member of the EU-Georgia Parliamentary Association Committee, MEP Marketa Gregorova told the Accent that a precedent with paying a bail shows how much the European Union values its relationship with Georgia.

“I am not aware of a precedent with paying a bail, but the support can come in many ways, naturally. As I understand it, it has been part of the mediation process; therefore, an offer from the side of the EU mediators to make the mediation process smoother. It is a clear signal from the mediators that the EU is willing to help settle a crisis, when necessary, and the fact that this is the first time this measure has been taken shows, in my opinion, how much we value our relationship with Georgia. However, this is not a precedent for our behaviour towards everyone and anytime,” Gregorova said.

“The EU is here to help, but not to be unilaterally used,” she added.

Gregorova emphasizes that in partnership there needs to be a common responsibility for it from both sides:

“The EU is a partner to our partner countries, and as a partner we are here to support you and help you grow. However, in partnership there needs to be a common responsibility for it from both sides. So it is not about the EU giving only and not receiving anything in return.”

According to her, she expects that “they won't have to deal with a case of political prisoners in the future”:

“In this case, I expect from our partner, that we won't have to deal with a case of political prisoners in the future; and if we do, Georgia cannot expect the EU to give again, but to be stricter next time.”