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EU election observers said on Monday that Georgia's presidential poll was "transparent",
confirming democracy is becoming stronger in the former Soviet republic.
The European Commission also welcomed the victory of Georgi Margvelashvili, the candidate
representing the ruling Georgian Dream coalition, after he won Sunday's elections with a clear
majority.
The EU congratulates president elect Georgi Margvelashvili. We also congratulate Georgia
on what appears to have been a well managed election. It's clear that last year's parliamentary
election was part of a pattern of consistent improvement of democratic institutions and
we understand that while observers are reporting some issues similar to those issues reported
last year, the overall picture is encouraging'.
Led by a Georgian billionaire who made his fortune in Russia, the Georgian Dream coalition
now controls both the presidency and the government for the first time.
In light of the next European Partnership Summit in Vilnius next month, Georgian and
European authorities hope to start discussions on a possible association agreement that will
lead to deeper Georgian integration with the EU.
There is no question too that we will make every efforts to make it a success just strengthen
and deepen our collaboration with our Eastern partners individually as well as as a group.
With a population of 4 and a half million people, Georgia's strategic position is both
important for Russia and also the EU, which gets Caspian gas and oil via pipelines that
go through Georgia.
President Barroso is due to meet on Tuesday in Brussels the former ousted Georgian President,
who stayed in power for 10 years.