TBILISI, March 18, 2004. (RIA Novosti) - Adzharian leader Aslan Abashidze agreed to let representatives of the Council of Europe assess the situation in Adzharia before the March 28 parliamentary elections in Georgia, Plamen Nikolov, the special representative of the Council of Europe in Georgia, told journalists in Tbilisi.
According to him, Mr. Abashidze and Secretary General of the Council of Europe Walter Schwimmer achieved a relevant agreement over the telephone yesterday.
"Walter Schwimmer talked to the President and Prime Minister of Georgia and the Adzharian leader. They discussed the necessity to guarantee honest and free elections all over Georgia, especially, in Adzharia. Mr. Abashidze agreed that the Council of Europe can sent a mission to Adzharia to assess the election campaign," Mr. Nikolov said.
"We hope to open this mission there today," he added.
Mr. Nikolov has already left Tbilisi and is on his way to Batumi, Novosti-Georgia reported.
