Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has criticized the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), stating that it has been losing its relevance year after year. His comments came in response to a journalist’s question regarding Georgia’s decision to suspend its participation in PACE.
“PACE has been undermining its own role and function over the years, and yesterday’s decision is simply a continuation of that trend,” Kobakhidze said. He emphasized that Georgia’s absence from PACE would not be a significant loss, as the assembly has become a weaker institution compared to the European Parliament. However, he reaffirmed that Georgia remains a member of the Council of Europe and will continue cooperation in other formats.
“Unfortunately, PACE is now an even weaker structure than the European Parliament. Under these circumstances, not participating in its work is not a major loss for us. However, we remain a member of the Council of Europe and will continue cooperation through various channels. We have assured the Secretary General of our willingness to collaborate when he visited Georgia, and we will continue working in different directions,” Kobakhidze stated.
On January 29, PACE adopted a resolution on Georgia, calling for snap parliamentary elections and the release of political prisoners. The resolution passed with 114 votes in favor and 13 against. According to the committee’s conclusions, the Council of Europe will only recognize Georgia’s parliamentary delegation if early elections are scheduled by April and all political prisoners are released.
Following the decision, Georgian Vice Speaker Tea Tsulukiani announced that the country’s delegation would suspend its participation in PACE, calling the conditions for mandate recognition “unfair and groundless.”
