CoE Secretary General discusses “current challenges” in Georgia with opposition groups

Berset described the exchange in Tbilisi as “frank and productive”. Photo: video grab

Agenda.ge, 19 Dec 2024 - 16:12, Tbilisi,Georgia

Alain Berset, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, on Thursday met with three of Georgia’s four opposition groups that secured seats in the Parliament following the October general elections to discuss “challenges” amid protests over the Government’s decision last month not to include European Union accession talks in its agenda until 2028 and its response to the demonstrations.

In a social media post, Berset described the exchange in Tbilisi as “frank and productive”, noting it had provided an “opportunity to listen to their concerns and address current challenges”.

Frank and productive discussion with the Gakharia for Georgia party @GakhariaGiorgi. An opportunity to listen to their concerns and address current challenges in #Georgia including extensive documentation on alleged police violence. #CoE
— Alain Berset (@alain_berset) December 19, 2024

The opposition groups represented in the talks were the Unity - National Movement, Gakharia for Georgia, and Strong Georgia.

However, leaders of the Coalition for Change, Elene Khoshtaria and Zurab Girchi Japaridze, refused to meet with Berset, citing concerns over the visit’s “failure to address key human rights issues”.

An important discussion with the opposition party Strong Georgia to listen to their perspectives and exchange views on the current challenges in #Georgia. Dialogue remains essential. #CoE
— Alain Berset (@alain_berset) December 19, 2024

Khoshtaria criticised the visit, claiming the country’s authorities had “used it to portray themselves as a legitimate Government following the rigged October general elections”.

Not visiting political prisoners [arrested during protests], not entering prisons at this moment - I consider it their second big mistake”, Khoshtaria added.

Japaridze also expressed dissatisfaction, saying Berset should have prioritised visiting the “devastated people”, including going to prisons and engaging directly with citizens on Rustaveli Avenue as part of the protests. “Especially an official whose direct competence is human rights”, he added.

Open and constructive exchange with the opposition party Unity - National Movement @UNMGeorgia. A necessary discussion to listen to their demands and address the current democratic challenges in #Georgia. #CoE
— Alain Berset (@alain_berset) December 19, 2024

Berset arrived in Georgia on Wednesday and met with key Government figures, including Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, the ruling party’s Honorary Chair Bidzina Ivanishvili, Public Defender Levan Ioseliani, members of the domestic civil sector, and representatives of the international community.

He is also scheduled to meet with members of the domestic non-governmental sector later on Thursday.