Georgian Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative to the OSCE and other international organizations in Vienna, Aleksandre Maisuradze, met with Director of OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), Maria Telalian regarding OSCE/ODIHR’s July 7 statement about Georgia.

According to the Ministry, the Ambassador reaffirmed Georgia’s firm commitment to OSCE’s fundamental values and obligations, expressing hope that cooperation based on mutual respect between the parties would continue.

However, the ambassador voiced concern over Telalian’s statement, which “unfortunately is based on factual inaccuracies and perceptions and does not correspond to the close cooperation existing between Georgia and the OSCE.”

The Foreign Ministry noted that the statement “does not contribute to ensuring a constructive pre-election environment in the country and casts a shadow on state institutions.” The Ministry emphasized that the statement contained messages regarding ongoing court proceedings in the country, “which may be perceived as interference in the activities of the independent judiciary.”

Attention was also drawn to OSCE/ODIHR’s observation mission report on Georgia’s October 2024 parliamentary elections.

“The Georgian side noted that unfortunately, this report became the object of unfounded attacks by some politicians from the Council of Europe and the European Parliament – the European Parliament resolution questioned the organization’s report and methodology, thereby damaging its authority and reputation,” the Foreign Ministry stated.

The Georgian side expressed regret that “these attacks on OSCE/ODIHR were not followed by adequate response from the organization’s leadership.”

The ambassador concluded by expressing readiness to continue cooperation with OSCE/ODIHR in a constructive format.