MEP: With Salome Zurabishvili, Georgia Leads the Way Again

Salome Zurabishvili once again caught the attention of foreign politicians and press. Euroactiv published an article about the new President of Georgia written by Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and Co-Chair of the Friends of Georgia Group in the European Parliament, Clare Moody. In it, she says that Zurabishvili is a worthy member of the small group of women in the club of world heads of state and government.

Moody spoke about Zurabishvili’s visit to Brussels, her first overseas meeting since taking up her new post, and noted that it was an important one for both Georgia and European member states, which were pleased to meet the first woman President of Georgia. In her article, the MEP demonstrated a positive attitude towards the President and underlined the existing negative one towards gender inequality in politics.

“Depressingly, only 7% of heads of state or government around the world are women. Despite such a range of achievements and experience, Zurabishvili sadly faced what so many other women in leadership face– a level of abuse that no men have to endure. Georgia is well known for having ‘robust’ political debates, but commentators have remarked that the tone in this presidential election was particularly prejudicial,” Moody wrote.

“It is to Zurabishvili’s credit that she faced down the misogynist attacks, and it is to Georgia’s credit that despite them she won the final round of the election with nearly 60% of the votes. In contrast to her treatment during the campaign, her own platform was based on a very positive agenda,” she added.

Moody mentioned the President’s experience, achievements and character, which included her return to Georgia in 2003, her posts as French Ambassador in Georgia and Minister of Foreign Affairs, her founding of political party ‘Georgia’s Way’ in 2006, her leading role in revising the Constitution and her support of the Georgian Diaspora, the occupied territories, education, science and culture and more. Moody noted Zurabishvili’s time spent in the Paris Science Po University and New-York Columbia University. She also highlighted that as Georgian Foreign Minister, Zurabishvili reached agreement on the withdrawal of Russian bases from Georgia.

According to various EU assessments, Georgia has made remarkable progress in enshrining democracy, human rights and the rule of law. The country remains on the right path of development.

“Many hope it is only a matter of time before Georgia fully integrates into the EU and NATO. There is no doubt in my mind that Salome Zurabishvili is prioritizing this agenda and will continue to work tirelessly for her country, doing all she can to promote these aims,” Moody wrote.

By Mariam Merabishvili

Image source: www.euractiv.com