“The Georgian government remains entirely open and committed to working with its partners on all issues of mutual interest, with a clear aim to further strengthen friendly relations and constructive cooperation,” stated Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Lasha Darsalia during a meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council, where they discussed the 17th anniversary of the 2008 Russo-Georgian war.

As Darsalia emphasised, the Georgian government reaffirms its dedication to upholding its OSCE commitments.

“Allow me to respond to recent remarks by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, who said that ‘freedom of expression is fundamental, but it does not protect those who use it to incite violence and hatred. Increasingly, leaders are instrumentalising freedom of expression to silence opposition while suppressing dissent. This must end, everywhere and at all times.’

Similarly, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer remarked that ‘people have the right to protest peacefully. This is central to our country’s values, but we will not tolerate the abuse of police officers fulfilling their duties.’

The Georgian government remains fully open to collaboration with its partners on all issues of mutual concern, with the sincere intention of further strengthening friendly relations and constructive cooperation. Here, I would like to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to OSCE obligations, as well as our resolute path towards European integration, which remains steadfast and guides our future direction,” said Darsalia, as reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.