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. <\/p>\n
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<\/a> reports, citing\u00a0apsny.ge<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n Kobakhidze<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n 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.”<\/p>\n Georgia’s delegation walked out of the parliamentary session in protest before the vote, rejecting the criticism contained in the resolution.<\/p>\n 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.”<\/p>\n