Georgia has announced it will suspend its participation in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) after the body called for a new election in the country, according to a statement from Georgian Parliament Deputy Speaker, Thea Tsulukiani.
The decision follows a tense period of discussions within the Georgian delegation to PACE. Despite the ratification of the country’s parliamentary credentials, the assembly attached conditions, including the requirement for Georgia to hold a new parliamentary election. This move, which was met with resistance from the Georgian government, has prompted a strong reaction from the Georgian delegation.
A Turning Point for Georgia in PACE
Tsulukiani, who leads Georgia’s delegation to PACE, said the parliamentary body ratified the credentials of the Georgian delegation. However, the ratification came with what she described as unfair conditions. The call for a new parliamentary election, she argued, represents a form of political pressure that Georgia finds unacceptable.
“Given all of the above, we, members of the Georgian parliamentary delegation, held a discussion in Strasbourg and Tbilisi, and by a common decision of the Georgian Dream team, even though our credentials have been ratified, are halting our work in the Parliamentary Assembly from today,” Tsulukiani stated.
This dramatic move signals a shift in Georgia’s approach to its international involvement, especially with the European body, which is influential in shaping regional diplomatic and political relations. The suspension of participation will likely impact the dynamics of PACE, as Georgia has been an active participant in past deliberations.
Georgia’s Statement on the Suspension
In their statement, Georgian officials made it clear that the country remains a member of the Council of Europe, but the parliamentary delegation will no longer participate in PACE until what they described as “unfair sentiment” toward the country changes.
“Georgia will resume participation in the Parliamentary Assembly only when the unfair sentiment toward the Georgian state and people changes, blackmail ends, and all decision-makers, official and unofficial, as well as the forces behind them realize well enough that such pressure will not force Georgia and its popularly elected government to take any anti-Georgian steps,” Tsulukiani said.
The decision to suspend participation highlights the growing tension between Georgia’s government and some of its international counterparts, especially those in Europe, regarding its internal political decisions.
The Future of Georgia’s Relationship with PACE
Georgia’s suspension of its participation in PACE raises questions about the future of its engagement with European institutions. The country has historically valued its relationships within Europe, and this decision signals a clear stance against external pressures that are perceived as unfair.
As this situation unfolds, the international community will closely monitor Georgia’s next steps and whether the political climate in the country shifts enough for the delegation to reconsider its decision. The suspension could have broader implications for the relationship between Georgia and other European institutions moving forward.
