Georgia, Tbilisi, Sept. 3 / Trend N.Kirtskhalia /
Parliamentary elections on October 1 will be "crucial" for the democratic development of Georgia and determine "the quality and intensity of future relationship" between the European Union and Georgia, said in a statement, European Commissioner for the European Neighbourhood Policy and EU Enlargement Štefan Füle after his meeting with Georgian Prime Minister Vano Merabishvili in Brussel on Monday.
The announcement was made in conjunction with the European Commissioner EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton. In a joint statement Füle and Ashton called on both sides Georgian government and opposition "continue to ensure a peaceful, friendly actions and competitive electoral environment, and robust media environment."
"We are concerned about the increasing polarization and tension in this context - the election in the first place, should be based on the political agenda and ideas" - said in a statement.
"We emphasize the responsibility that rests both on the government and the opposition, to ensure the proper conduct of the election, and therefore, their legitimacy," also said in the statement.
"It must be observed the electoral law, and it must be enforced in such a way as to maintain confidence in the fairness of the electoral process and the rule of law," - senior EU official said.
"All parties and candidates should facilitate the establishment of a peaceful and conducive electoral environment, to refrain from such actions and statements that could cause an escalation of an already tense environment and cast doubt on the results of the election," said in the statement .