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Reaction to ODIHR preliminary findings on Georgian presidential election

FCO Minister for Europe David Lidington shares ODIHR’s positive assessment of Presidential election in Georgia

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Foreign Office Minister David Lidington said:

The presidential election in Georgia on 27 October marked a further significant step forward in Georgia’s democratic development. I welcome the 28 October statement of preliminary findings from the OSCE/ODIHR (Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe/Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights) Observer Mission and share their positive assessment.

I congratulate the Georgian Dream candidate, Giorgi Margvelashvili, on his victory. I welcome the statements by the outgoing President, Mikheil Saakashvili, and United National Movement presidential candidate, Davit Bakradze, and hope that all political sides can now work constructively in both government and opposition for the benefit of Georgia and its people.

As Georgia continues on its path of Euro-Atlantic integration and addresses key domestic issues, political stability is important now more than ever. The UK welcomes the progress made over the last eight years, and will continue to support Georgia’s democratic future.

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Published 30 October 2013