**Georgian MP Slams OSCE Report Amendments**
The Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Nikoloz Samkharadze, has strongly criticized amendments added to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s annual report concerning Georgia. According to him, the changes are absurd and undermine the credibility of the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission.
Samkharadze expressed his disappointment that the amendments contradict the findings of the OSCE/ODIHR report on the 2024 parliamentary elections in Georgia. He questioned the motivations behind the Polish MP who authored the initiative, asking why they are trying to undermine the credibility of the election observation mission. Samkharadze pointed out that such actions set a bad precedent and could lead to further distortions of election reports.
**Loss of Credibility**
The Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee emphasized that Georgia is an active member of the OSCE, and the organization is respected in the country. However, with such absurd statements reflected in additional clauses, the OSCE risks losing its credibility among the Georgian public. Samkharadze stressed that it’s essential to maintain the integrity and impartiality of election observation missions.
**Russian Ties and EU Membership**
Samkharadze also addressed an amendment in the report describing alleged strengthened ties between the Georgian government and the Russian Federation. He questioned what kind of ties were being referred to, given Georgia’s lack of diplomatic relations with Russia due to occupation of 20% of its territory. Samkharadze emphasized that Georgia’s EU membership is a separate issue, outside the OSCE’s mandate.
**Existential Crisis**
The Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee criticized the amendment claiming that the Georgian government is trying to consolidate power by passing corresponding laws. He called for evidence regarding these alleged laws and their provisions. Samkharadze also remarked that the OSCE is facing an existential crisis, having failed to prevent Russian military aggression in Georgia and Ukraine.
**Attempts to Silence Delegates**
The head of the delegation addressed attempts by some members of the Parliamentary Assembly to silence and expel delegates who do not share their views. He noted that several members had sent a letter to the Prime Minister of Portugal requesting that Georgian delegates be barred from entering the country, which he deemed a shameful act against the principles of OSCE and parliamentary democracy.
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