Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has accused the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) of undermining its credibility among the Georgian public after the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly adopted a declaration critical of Georgia.
Speaking to journalists, Kobakhidze said the decision had eroded public confidence not only in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly but also in the organization as a whole, News.Az reports, citing apsny.ge.
“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.
Kobakhidze also criticized the role of U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson, whose resolution formed part of the adopted document, claiming that the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly had “sunk” to his level.
On July 8, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly adopted the Hague Declaration along with a series of accompanying resolutions expressing “serious concerns” over what it described as Georgia’s “democratic backsliding.” A separate resolution called on the Georgian authorities to release “all political prisoners,” repeal or amend what it described as 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 walkout, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly 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.”