Tbilisi Mayor: It is disappointing OSCE PA adopted shameful resolution

Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze has criticized the latest resolution on Georgia adopted by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, describing it as “full of lies and slander.”

Speaking to the media, Kaladze said it was not the first time such a resolution had been adopted and expressed disappointment that the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly had supported what he called a “shameful” document.

“This is not the first time this type of resolution has been adopted. It is regrettable that the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly supports such a shameful resolution. This institution is invited to observe elections in countries, including Georgia. When you adopt a resolution filled with falsehoods, what kind of election observation are we talking about? How can such an organization be invited to assess elections?” Kaladze said.

The mayor also stated that, according to him, representatives of what he described as an “agent network” would not be allowed to participate in elections, arguing that this would protect the country from external influence.

“No foreign country’s interests will be pursued here. First and foremost, Georgia’s statehood comes first. The situation that existed before 2012, when any absurd statement by a foreign official was accepted as the truth, will not return. The Georgian people are the sovereign authority in this country and will decide who governs it—not external forces, as was the case before. Certain international organizations have been engaged in hostile activities against Georgia. When President Trump publicly labeled these organizations accordingly and spoke about issues we had been raising for years, they chose to ignore it. We will not allow these individuals to advance the interests of another major power in Georgia,” Kaladze said.