Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen, during her visit to Georgia as OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, expressed her solidarity with the people, who she said are living under increasingly oppressive conditions.

She also stated that the most recent law restricting the freedoms of Georgians represents yet another troubling step in the wrong direction.

“Last year, I served as OSCE Chairman-in-Office, during which I closely followed developments in Georgia. I also visited the country and voiced my strong solidarity with the people, who, unfortunately, continue to face mounting oppression. The latest legislation, which bans the funding of civil society organisations and curtails individual freedoms, is another concerning development. I am confident that the OSCE, along with the Moscow Mechanism, will deliver the appropriate outcomes. However, as the European Union, we must remain vigilant,” said the Finnish Foreign Minister.