OSCE PA President Pia Kauma sends letter to Georgia’s Foreign Minister

Pia Kauma, President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA), sent a letter to the Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili, informing that her planned visit to Georgia, scheduled for January 8-10, 2025, has been postponed.

Kauma expressed her regret over the decision, explaining that it was made after careful consideration of the current circumstances in the country. The visit, initially aimed at engaging in discussions regarding Georgia’s electoral processes, will be rescheduled when conditions are more conducive to meaningful dialogue.

OSCE PA President emphasized the importance of addressing the recommendations outlined in the ODIHR Election Observation Mission’s Final Report on Georgia’s 2020 parliamentary elections. The report highlighted areas where Georgia needs to align its electoral processes with OSCE commitments and international democratic standards. Kauma reaffirmed her strong support for the implementation of these recommendations and reiterated the OSCE PA’s commitment to fostering democratic reforms through dialogue with the government, opposition, and civil society.

She concluded the letter by expressing her hope for a future visit when conditions allow for more constructive discussions and emphasized the continued support of the OSCE in Georgia’s democratic development.

In the meantime, Kauma encouraged the Georgian authorities to prioritize inclusive dialogue and act upon the ODIHR’s recommendations to strengthen the country’s democratic processes.