Finnish FM Valtonen invites Georgian PM to Finland to meet media, attend demonstrations

Elina Valtonen, Finland’s Foreign Minister and current OSCE Chairperson, has extended an invitation to Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on social media to visit Finland, meet with the free media, and attend any demonstration of his choosing.

Valtonen emphasized that for citizens to exercise their rights, they need freedom of speech and free and fair elections with genuine political alternatives.

“Georgia’s future is for the Georgian people to decide. The same applies to all OSCE participating states. For people to exercise this right, they need freedom of expression and free and fair elections with political alternatives,” Valtonen wrote.

She also referenced the Helsinki Final Act of 1975, noting that participating states committed to promoting the effective exercise of civil, political, economic, social, cultural, and other rights and freedoms, which are rooted in human dignity and essential for the development of free and democratic societies.

“In this spirit, as OSCE Chairperson, 50 years after the signing of this document, I invite you, Irakli Kobakhidze, to come to Finland, meet the free media, and attend any demonstration you wish,” Valtonen concluded.

Valtonen has been criticized by Kobakhidze and Georgia’s ruling power for attending anti-Government protests during her official visit.