MP Samkharadze says Georgian delegation raised occupation, annexation concerns and challenged Moscow Mechanism report at OSCE PA session

The Georgian parliamentary delegation has raised the issues of Russia's occupation of Georgian territories, alleged steps toward annexation and factual inaccuracies in the OSCE Moscow Mechanism report at the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly's annual session in The Hague, according to Nikoloz Samkharadze, chair of the Parliament's Foreign Relations Committee.

Samkharadze said he used his address to highlight Georgia's occupation by Russia and the agreement between Russia and the self-proclaimed South Ossetia, which he described as a step toward annexation. He also told delegates that the Moscow Mechanism report contains "numerous factual inaccuracies" and allegations that, in his view, are not supported by evidence.

According to Samkharadze, the majority of OSCE participating states did not support either the activation of the Moscow Mechanism or its findings. He added that the Georgian delegation expects "provocations" during the remainder of the assembly, including discussion of a draft resolution submitted by US Congressman Joe Wilson and said the delegation would continue defending Georgia's interests throughout the session.