The US Ambassador to Georgia says she is very pleased that the parties were able to reach an agreement. She also commented on the case of Nika Melia.

“Let me start by saying that this was an important step forward to reach an agreement and I am very pleased that the parties were able to reach an agreement. This was a long and difficult process and it took real courage and leadership to make the compromises that are represented in the agreement. I think the events of June 2019 are a very painful episode for all of Georgia and it’s important that the parties agree on a way forward with the amnesty law.

It doesn’t preclude accountability for those events, but it does allow the country to move forward and that relates to your question: of course, it is Mr. Melia’s personal decision whether he leaves prison or not but the agreement offers an arrangement for Mr. Melia’s release, for Mr. Rurua’s release, for the other demands that have been under discussion for six months. So, in that respect, I feel like this is truly a step forward and allows Georgia to start working on the huge challenges facing this country, including restoring the economy, dealing with COVID-19, which we see the numbers going up, and many other challenges that really require a fully functioning parliament”, - said Kelly Degnan.