Georgia outlines conditions for return to PACE

Georgia has outlined specific conditions for its return to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). 

Georgian Dream Party MP Levan Makhashvili made the remarks following a meeting in Budapest between Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili and the PACE President, Caliber.Az reports via Georgian media. 

According to the Georgian Parliament’s press service, the two sides discussed the ongoing absence of a Georgian delegation in PACE and the potential for restoring cooperation.

Makhashvili stated that Georgia’s withdrawal was prompted by a PACE resolution adopted in January 2025, which he said had imposed unfair and politically motivated conditions on the country. 

“We outlined the conditions we consider necessary for our return, and Georgia stands ready to rejoin once these are addressed. The PACE President described these not as conditions, but as ideas and proposals. He expressed a strong desire to restore relations promptly and see Georgia back in the Assembly,” he noted.

The Georgian MP stressed that these were not merely suggestions but politically charged conditions that led to the delegation's withdrawal. He described the approach as unjust toward Georgia.

“Nonetheless, the PACE President reaffirmed his commitment to support Georgia’s return once the delegation’s mandate is renewed in January,” Makhashvili concluded

During the Budapest meeting, the parties also discussed Georgia’s upcoming elections and the future of the country’s engagement with European institutions. Makhashvili, who also chairs the European Integration Committee in Parliament, said the PACE President showed a strong willingness to restore ties and expressed hope that Georgia would rejoin the Assembly once its delegation’s mandate is renewed in January.

By Sabina Mammadli