Lithuania ready to mediate for resolution of Georgian crisis – president

VILNIUS – Lithuania stands ready to act as a mediator to resolve the ongoing crisis in Georgia, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said on Thursday, adding that he is consulting his Polish and Latvian presidents on the issue.

The Lithuanian president says the situation in Georgia and the detention by police of the country's main opposition leader Nikanor Meliya is raising concern as there's no resolution of this conflict yet.

"We are speaking with the Polish and Latvian leaders on this issue and we are truly ready to help if there's such a need. In any case, it probably clearly shows that the EU needs to act much more decisively in the Eastern Partnership format," Nauseda said after a remote European Council meeting on Thursday.

"The absence of an agenda and motivation creates conditions that Eastern Partnership countries have been really facing problems recently, both in terms of reform implementation and also ensuring political stability, which is not good for anyone. Therefore, I miss the European Union's ambition and leadership, and we will discuss that as well," the Lithuanian president said in a video statement.

In a released statement, Naused also underlined that Georgia, which was occupied by the Soviets 100 years ago and suffered repression and violence for seven decades, managed to restore independence and the possibility to become "a full-fledged member of the international community".

"Lithuania understands the huge pain brought by occupations and repressions, the meaning of the struggle for freedom. We share empathy with the feelings of the people of Georgia on this commemorative date. Unfortunately, the latest developments in Georgia and the detention of the opposition party leader have raised many concerns. Political solutions can only be found through genuine dialogue between the parties," the Lithuanian president said.

In his words, Georgia’s ambitious European and Euroatlantic integration goals require "broad political unity and concerted actions, including constructive and continuous dialogue with all political parties".

"We remain fully committed to supporting Georgia’s Euroatlantic path and will support all efforts to overcome the current political situation. Lithuania is ready for mediation efforts in searching for a dialogue and consensus among all parties," Nauseda said, adding that Lithuania remains Georgia’s steadfast supporter in its "resolve to stand against the Russian occupation of its territories which continues up till today".

Meliya's detention earlier this week is raising concern over the deepening crisis taking place since the contested election last year.

The US and the EU have called on the Georgian government to peacefully resolve the crisis and to prevent political bias within the country's judicial system.