Georgian official slams PACE ultimatum, calls for partnership, not blackmail

Georgia will not accept threats or ultimatums, but instead seeks partnership and friendly relations with the West, stated Kaha Kaladze, Secretary-General of the ruling party, "Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia."

His comments come in response to discussions surrounding the potential suspension of the Georgian delegation's powers in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

The Georgian delegation’s powers in PACE could be suspended until April. The conditions for restoring its rights include cooperation between the government and opposition in creating a fair electoral environment for new parliamentary elections, as well as measures by the government to advance integration into the European Union, protect human rights, and ensure the right to assembly.

Kaladze made it clear that Georgia would not tolerate threats, saying, "We do not accept the language of blackmail or ultimatums. We only seek friendship, partnership, and such actions and statements are categorically unacceptable. This is not friendship."

He also added that blackmail would be effective only on those who choose to listen to it.

The powers of the Georgian delegation in PACE have been contested by the European People’s Party, citing "serious violations of the fundamental principles of the Council of Europe."

On January 28, the committee discussed two options: one was to withdraw the newly elected parliamentary delegation from PACE, while the other involved temporarily ratifying the Georgian delegation's powers with significant reservations.

Under the second option, the demands placed on Georgian officials remain unchanged, with the only difference being that the ratification of the delegation’s mandates will not proceed.

By Aghakazim Guliyev