**Georgia Suspends Work in PACE**
The head of Georgia’s delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Tea Tsulukiani, announced that Georgia is suspending its work in PACE. This decision was made because the conditions set by the Assembly were deemed “not fair” and infringed on Georgian sovereignty.
Tsulukiani tried to spin PACE’s decision to grant the delegation conditional credentials as a victory for her country. She said that the opposition had failed to prevent the GD delegation from ratifying the credentials in the first place. However, PACE President Theodoros Rousopoulos regretted Georgia’s decision, saying it jeopardizes dialogue between the two sides.
**Conditions Set by PACE**
The conditions set by PACE included holding new elections, releasing “all political prisoners”, and putting an end to police brutality and human rights abuses. The Georgian delegation was also restricted from being full members of several committees, including election monitoring committees. Their right to represent the Assembly in international organizations was suspended.
**Georgia Remains a Member**
Tsulukiani said that Georgia remains a member of the Council of Europe, but the suspension of work will continue until the “unfair attitude” towards the country changes. The opposition had challenged the Georgian delegation’s credentials at PACE earlier this month.
**Reactions from Top Officials**
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze commented on the decision, saying that European bureaucracy is in a difficult state. He stressed that Georgia remains a member of the Council of Europe and will continue cooperation with the organization.
Also Read:
* Georgian Delegation Credentials Challenged at PACE Opening
* CoE HR Commissioner Visits Georgia, Concerned About Police Brutality
* Secretary General of CoE Visit to Georgia
