“It is deeply regrettable when a letter saturated with disinformation is published, signed by the foreign ministers of 17 states and the European Union’s High Representative,” Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze told journalists in Samegrelo.

According to Kobakhidze, informal governance is widespread within European institutions, and all moral boundaries have been completely eroded.

“You have seen for yourself that, unfortunately, this letter is filled with disinformation on every front. The claims regarding the arrest of politicians are completely false, as are the assertions about imprisonments. The relevant sections of the letter are thoroughly saturated with misinformation, which is very regrettable. When a document of such significance bears the signatures of the foreign ministers of 17 states and the highest representative of the European Union, and is riddled with falsehoods, it is truly disheartening. Informal governance is widespread within European institutions and bureaucracy, and in such an environment, moral boundaries are entirely eroded. Any lie can be fabricated, even in a high-level diplomatic letter — and that is very sad and regrettable,” stated Irakli Kobakhidze.

The joint statement from the foreign ministers of 17 countries and the EU High Representative urges Georgian authorities “to immediately release unjustly detained politicians, journalists and activists, to reverse repressive legislation and to engage in a national dialogue with all relevant stakeholders to find a way out of the current situation.”