Tbilisi Mayor slams OSCE Moscow Mechanism visit as ‘pretext’, claims report was pre-written

Kakha Kaladze, the mayor of Tbilisi, has criticised the recent visit to Georgia by the author of the OSCE’s Moscow Mechanism report, claiming the two-day visit was a formality and that the conclusions were predetermined.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Kaladze said a single individual could not conduct a thorough review of issues in such a short period, and suggested the visit was largely symbolic.

“The explanation we heard shows that the report was pre-written by their patrons and the visit was a farce. What can one person studying Georgia for two days accomplish? Perhaps they explored Georgian cuisine or wine. We are proud of our traditions, culture, and history, but what is written in the report is absolute absurdity,” Kaladze said.

He also accused the OSCE of being used to pressure Georgia and claimed that the recommendations in the document were intended to blackmail the country. 

Kaladze highlighted what he described as double standards in international scrutiny, pointing to past campaigns and “threats related to Georgian legislation and family values.”

“The government will continue to take steps that serve Georgia and the interests of its people. Truth is on our side, and that is why we speak confidently on these matters,” he added.