The facilitators of the political dialogue are responding to the release of Gigi Ugulava and Irakli Okruashvili with a joint statement.

"We welcome today’s decision by the President of Georgia to use her constitutional powers in the interest of political de-polarisation and creating a political environment more conducive to a free, fair and transparent electoral process.

We, as facilitators of the political dialogue, consider this decision also as a pivotal contribution toward the implementation of the 8 March agreement.

We strongly appeal to all sides to fully implement the agreement in both letter and spirit and to play their part to ensure the successful adoption of the constitutional amendments and the election reform legislation, in the interest of free and fair elections this autumn.

We will continue to follow closely further progress with regard to all aspects related to the 8 March agreement".