FM Botchorishvili: Georgia ready to strengthen regional stability, mediate peace efforts among neighbours

“I am filled with great sympathy for Mzia Amaglobeli. We, as a society, are also victims. We got to this situation together. I’ve heard many positive things about her. Whatever happened, happened. I do not believe we in Georgia are debating whether or not to slap each other, even the police officer. At the same time, as a single person, I anticipate great humanity,” remarked Vasil Maghlaperidze, the Chairman of the Georgian Public Broadcaster’s Board of Trustees, in an interview with GPB’s ‘Aktualuri Tema’ (Actual Topic) program. According to him, all First Channel employees stand in solidarity, and society should strive for reconciliation and mutual understanding. “I wish the First Channel could do something and that displaying placards and cursing at us would assist in settling the problem. Fine, if it helps, but I believe this issue should be handled by striking a balance between humanity, forgiveness, and justice. Let’s say directly what concerns people – one is the standard of justice. Let’s use this for our common country, not for political purposes. Let’s not slap each other, not spit in each other’s dishes, and not curse each other’s mothers. The blame placed on the First Channel for this issue should be on the conscience of those who do this. First Channel journalists are behaving very dignifiedly and will continue to do so. If the First Channel has the slightest ability, everyone should be assured that it will take every necessary step. This is a great pain for First Channel journalists, and they want the situation solved on humane terms. However, we are also stating that we should not slap each other. I am filled with this optimism. As previously said, the First Channel will always do its best. Even if I wasn’t present, this would not require a board or parity. We’re not in kindergarten to lecture people. It is not essential because the major collective is already present,” remarked Vasil Maghlaperidze. The Chairman of the Board of Trustees believes that “increasing the temperature will not help to solve the situation.” “Let us hope that humanism wins inside us and that we return to the human ideals from which we have wandered off little. We need to return to human principles in time,” said Vasil Maghlaperidze.

“Mzia Amaglobeli’s offence was in no way related to journalistic activities; she was acting there as a party activist. Therefore, linking this incident to the media is pure speculation,” declared Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze speaking live on Imedi TV. According to the Head of Government, the police are one of the most respected state institutions in the eyes of the Georgian people, and Mzia Amaglobeli was deliberately attempting to undermine the reputation of this institution. “This is the Saakashvili scenario 2.0. You know how Saakashvili’s scenario ended in its time. He was on a hunger strike for months, on and off, but the state naturally took care of his health, just as it does for any prisoner’s health. This responsibility falls on the state as well. Of course, we wish everyone good health, and the state is accountable for the health of any prisoner. Regarding the incident itself, it began when Mzia Amaglobeli was placing stickers on police officers; she was subsequently arrested, and conditionally released, and as soon as she was free, she slapped a police officer in the face. Thus, her actions were in no way connected to journalistic endeavours; she was acting as a party activist. Therefore, any attempt to link this incident to the media is absolute speculation. When we speak of humanity, an action can be deemed humane if it is accompanied by remorse—in that case, one could talk about humanity. Otherwise, such an action can only be seen as a manifestation of inadequacy. Had these individuals come forward and simply stated that this lady behaved inappropriately and that one cannot insult a police officer, who is a representative of the state? You know that the police are one of the most respected institutions in the eyes of the Georgian people. She went out and demonstratively sought to tarnish the image of this state institution. This entire episode served no other purpose. She shows no remorse, neither does she nor her fellow party members from the ‘collective National Movement.’ At times like these, they talk about how a person is on a hunger strike and should therefore be released from prison,” stated the Prime Minister. Kobakhidze mentioned that he continually expresses readiness for dialogue on any issue, including the case of Mzia Amaglobeli. “We repeatedly, continuously express our readiness for dialogue. I can reaffirm now that we are ready. If anyone wishes to discuss any issue, whether publicly or privately, specifically regarding Mzia Amaglobeli, let them come—I’m set to meet tomorrow and discuss this matter. You probably recall that previously, at various times, whether concerning the law, elections, or these protests, I requested meetings in any location, in any format, both public and private discussions. Every request was rejected. I suggested specific individuals, including, if I am not mistaken when Shota Arveladze appeared on your broadcast and indicated that the government wasn’t engaging with those inclined toward protest. I invited him to bring anyone he wanted. They didn’t even show up to discuss the football stadium issue today, let alone political matters. What more could we discuss if they have questions or are interested in something? If anyone is avoiding discussion, it is precisely the protest participants because they understand that they are not right; the truth is not on their side. They simply are convinced that they must be ‘Natsi’ and must adhere rigidly to their established viewpoint. They are not ready for a discussion because they know the truth isn’t on their side. This is the sole reason. If anyone wants to talk in any format, whether publicly or privately, let them come and engage in conversation. Let’s discuss any issue,” noted the Prime Minister.

“Tea Tsulukiani’s decision was absolutely without alternative, and in this situation, our delegation will not continue working in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe,” declared Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze during a broadcast on Imedi TV. According to the Head of Government, this decision in no way changes the situation in Georgia. “This decision shows that European bureaucracy is in quite a difficult state. This applies to both Brussels and Strasbourg. What we witnessed today is another manifestation of this injustice. More than injustice, it was an absolutely absurd decision. They approved our delegation, thereby recognizing the election results. At the same time, they stated that if elections are not held by April, they will cancel our delegation’s credentials. In other words, they recognize the election results but still want elections to be held simply because someone’s favourite political force, the collective National Movement, lost. Such absurd decisions show that European bureaucracy is in a dire state. However, this does not fundamentally change the situation for our country. The decision announced by Tea Tsulukiani on behalf of our delegation and team was crucial. This decision was absolutely without an alternative. In this situation, our delegation will not continue working in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, will cease its work, and the delegation will be withdrawn from the Parliamentary Assembly by the Georgian Parliament. If the attitude towards the Georgian people and our country changes, of course, we will return to PACE, but in the current situation we see today, there is absolutely no point in working there. This is a simple matter – this decision had no substantial significance for our country, though the absurdity of this decision is an aspect that deserves analysis,” stated the Prime Minister.

“Everywhere there is a radical opposition, there is work being done against the interests of the state; however, they will achieve no outcomes today or in the future,” stated Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze live on Imedi TV. As the Head of Government highlighted, the opposition has been active behind the scenes, attempting to prevent the approval of the Georgian delegation at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. “You can see what the opposition has been doing—they were roaming the hallways, working to ensure that our country’s delegation would not be approved. They ultimately did not achieve that result, as a decision was made to approve the delegation’s credentials as planned, which was their primary goal. They did not reach their target but created a kind of intermediate effect in the form of a resolution. Everywhere there is radical opposition, there is work being done against the state interests. However, they accomplished nothing today and will achieve nothing in the future,” Irakli Kobakhidze concluded.

“Even though our credentials have been approved, by the joint decision of the Georgian Dream team, we will quit our work in the CoE Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) effective today,” stated Tea Tsulukiani, member of the parliamentary majority and Head of the Georgian delegation to the PACE. As Tsulukiani noted, “Accepting a condition regarding the delegation’s credentials would be tantamount to betraying the vast majority of Georgian Dream voters and society.”“For several days, there has been a debate in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe about whether our parliamentary delegation’s credentials should be granted or not. Many individuals, particularly our anti-state opposition and members of non-governmental organisations, opposed the acknowledgement of the new Georgian Parliament delegation’s credentials. This plan failed at both the committee hearing and the plenary session, with just 43 of the assembly’s 306 members voting to deny the Georgian delegation’s credentials. As a result, the credentials of the new Georgian parliament delegation were approved after a final vote a few minutes ago. However, the document recognising credentials is accompanied by conditions.  A number of conditions are unacceptable to us since they are unjust and unfounded. Furthermore, the first condition is totally unacceptable since it exceeds the authority of this assembly, violates our country’s sovereignty, and disregards the will and realities of over 1,120,000 voters. Accepting this condition would be a betrayal of our voters, and by extension, the great majority of our society. Based on everything said above, we, the members of the Georgian Parliamentary Delegation in Strasbourg and Tbilisi, have debated and, by a collective decision of the Georgian Dream team, are quitting our work in the Parliamentary Assembly beginning today. We believe that as long as the completely unjust and unfounded blackmail against the Georgian people’s elected government continues, no importance is placed on evidence and facts, discussions are biased and marked by an insulting attitude towards our country’s population, our parliamentary delegation’s participation in the Assembly has no meaning or justification. Georgia, as a state, is still a member of the Council of Europe. And members of our parliamentary delegation will return to the Parliamentary Assembly only after the unjust attitude towards the Georgian state and people changes, the blackmail ceases, and every official and unofficial decision-maker, as well as the forces behind them, understand that such pressure will not cause the government elected by Georgia and its people to take any anti-Georgian actions. Thank you very much for your support and attention; we felt the support of each of you from Tbilisi,” Tsulukiani stated. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has approved a resolution on Georgia, granting limited credentials to the Georgian delegation til April. The resolution outlines several conditions that Georgian authorities must satisfy by April, among them “the release of political prisoners and the announcement of new elections.” If the criteria are not satisfied, Assembly members will have the opportunity to challenge the Georgian delegation’s credentials in April.