Georgian top officials, PACE president address parliament on 20th anniversary of Georgia’s CoE membership

Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze, President Salome Zurabishvili, Parliament Speaker Irakli Kobakhidze and President of PACE Liliane Maury have made speeches in the Georgian parliament earlier today, dedicated to the 20th anniversary of Georgia’s membership in the Council of Europe (CoE).

All of the officials pointed at threats coming from Russia towards Georgia and the CoE and spoke about the occupation of Georgian lands by the country.

Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze spoke about severe humanitarian situation in two occupied regions of Georgia. Photo: Parliament's press office. 

It was stated that history will be made this year as Georgia will become the head of the Committee of Ministers of CoE for six months.

20 years ago we took a step to return back to our European family and have undergone a very difficult path of transformation over the past 20 years,” PM Mamuka Bakhtadze said.

He stated that Georgia has provided changes and met almost all the obligations taken before the CoE 20 years ago in terms of human rights protection, rule of law, against corruption, protection of media freedom and others.

President Salome Zurabishvili urged for strong international support. Photo: Parliament's press office. 

We are now as close to Europe as ever. However, there are forces which are trying their best to suspend our country’s advancement. Russia continues the occupation of 20 per cent of our territories and it is the most painful challenge to us,” Bakhtadze said.

Bakhtadze spoke about the “catastrophic humanitarian situation” in Georgia’s occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali and the murder of Georgian citizens by occupying forces.

We will never tolerate the occupation of Georgian lands, the international community will do the same,” Bakhtadze said.

Parliament Speaker Irakli Kobakhidze spoke about the role of strong parliament. Photo: Parliament's press office. 

Bakhtadze stated that Georgia is going ahead anyway and introduces changes which will lead to the peaceful de-occupation and progress.

A new page will be opened in the history of Georgia in the autumn, when Georgia will become the chair country of CoE,” Bakhtadze said.

President Zurabishvili stated that it was difficult to imagine for the Georgian people 20 years ago that through the CoE membership, Georgia ‘clarified its European future.’

Zurabishvili stated the importance of the entry of international monitors onto Georgian occupied territories.

We need a strong support from our partners to prevent severe human rights violations in our occupied regions,” Zurabishvili said.

Parliament Speaker Irakli Kobakhidze cited deceased PM Zurab Zhvania’s words- “I am Georgian and therefore, I am European,” pronounced 20 years ago in CoE, and stated that the words are becoming more and more natural and trustworthy.

PACE president visited Georgia on the weekend. Photo: Parliament's press office. 

Georgia has made itself as the European democracy,” Kobakhidze said.

Maury stated that the EU is now facing serious challenges.

However, she added, that history has proven that the European people are capable to overcome any challenge and unite around common values.