Georgia PM says OSCE losing public trust after critical declaration

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has accused the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) of undermining its credibility among Georgian citizens after the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly adopted a declaration criticising Georgia.

Speaking to journalists, Kobakhidze said the decision had weakened public confidence not only in the parliamentary body of the organisation but also in the OSCE as a whole, Caliber.Az reports, citing Georgian media.

“Because of such documents, unfortunately, the trust of Georgian society not only in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly but in the OSCE as a whole is weakening,” Kobakhidze said, adding that Tbilisi would draw “appropriate conclusions” from the situation.

The Georgian prime minister also criticised the role of US Congressman Joe Wilson, whose resolution formed part of the adopted document, claiming that the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly had “sunk” to his level.

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) adopted the Hague Declaration and a series of accompanying resolutions on July 8, voicing "serious concerns" about what it described as Georgia's "democratic backsliding." A separate resolution urged the Georgian authorities to release "all political prisoners," repeal or amend "restrictive legislation," and launch a "genuine reform process."

Georgia’s delegation walked out of the parliamentary session in protest before the vote, rejecting the criticism contained in the resolution.

Responding to the move, OSCE PA President Pere Joan Pons said, “Leaving the seats empty even in your country was not a good decision, so you do exactly the same here. I think leaving seats empty in parliament is always the worst option because democracy is, above all, about being together and trying to resolve conflict.”

By Aghakazim Guliyev