Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili stated that she met with Alain Berset, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe (CoE), and his delegation.

Assessing the meeting, President Zourabichvili noted that the CoE delegation appeared “confused” and lacked a comprehensive understanding of the current situation in Georgia.

According to Salome Zourabichvili, she clarified to Alain Berset and the delegation that it was neither the CoE’s mandate nor its duty “to establish a commission with an illegitimate government, especially to review the Russian Law.”

“I met with the CoE Secretary General and his delegation, who seemed somewhat confused and lacked an understanding of the situation here. I explained that representing the oldest European organization, which is directly responsible for protecting democratic principles, human rights, and the freedoms of people, requires a different approach.

This organization is responsible for amplifying its voice when any member state, including Georgia, commits acts of violence against its own people. It should protest against and condemn such violence.

I made it clear that it is not their mandate or duty to form a commission with a government that is not recognized by anyone, especially to review the Russian Law. Who stands to gain from amendments or non-amendments to Russian Law? This illustrates how this government has consistently misled the public—one day it withdraws the law and then reintroduces it. They may formally amend something in the hopes of pleasing others, but they cannot satisfy either the Georgian people or our partners, who are well-informed about Georgia’s current circumstances,” she said.