At the 135th session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, held in Moldova, Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Bochorishvili presented her vision of the challenges facing Europe.
In her view, the European model is threatened not only by wars and armed conflicts, but also by the policy of double standards and a retreat from declared democratic principles.
The Georgian Foreign Minister's accusatory statement was apparently a response to consistent criticism from EU institutions of the Georgian government for a "significant setback" in democracy.
In particular, the Minister lamented the denial of entry to Moldova for representatives of three Georgian television channels—Imedi TV, Rustavi 2, and POSTV—which, she said, prevented the journalists from fulfilling their professional responsibilities in covering the event. She also linked this incident to the problem of press freedom in Europe.
"It is hypocritical to deplore the so-called 'rollback from democracy' while simultaneously encouraging radicals who refuse to participate in elections; to declare 'support for the Georgian people' while demonstratively distancing themselves from the government elected by those same people; to talk about the rule of law while simultaneously finding ways to circumvent it and ignoring the judiciary," the Foreign Minister stated.
Meanwhile, the opposition party "Lelo – Strong Georgia" sharply criticized Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and the Georgian government, pointing to hostile rhetoric toward European partners.
"Irakli Kobakhidze constantly lectures and wag his finger at the ambassadors of friendly and partner states, which once again confirms his pro-Russian orientation and service to Russian national interests," the party's statement read.
Earlier, EU Ambassador to Georgia Pavel Gerchinsky spoke about the country's prospects for a European future. According to him, Georgia "stands at a crossroads," and the decisions made in the coming weeks and months will determine whether it will become part of a European community based on democracy, the rule of law, and human rights, or whether it will "return to its dark past." The diplomat called on Georgian society not to lose sight of its European perspective.
Furthermore, the opposition party "For Georgia" stated that Russia has entered the active phase of its annexation of the Tskhinvali region (self-proclaimed South Ossetia), amid what the party claims is the authorities' "criminal silence." The opposition accused the ruling Georgian Dream party of inaction.
"The State Duma of the Russian Federation adopted a federal law initiated by Vladimir Putin ratifying the agreement to deepen allied cooperation with the so-called 'Republic of South Ossetia.' This is another step toward the de facto annexation of the Tskhinvali region." “The fact that this agreement was signed on May 9 appears particularly symbolic and cynical,” the For Georgia party said in a statement.
