OSCE PA Delegation Visits Georgia

A senior delegation of parliamentarians from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, led by OSCE PA President Pere Joan Pons Sampietro, visited Georgia on March 8-10.

The delegation also included Luís Graça, Vice-President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and Special Representative on South Caucasus; Jevrosima Pejović, Vice-Chair of the Committee on Political Affairs and Security; Baroness Christine Blower, Vice Chair of the Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions; and Roberto Montella, Secretary General of the OSCE PA.

“The visit will provide an opportunity for members of the OSCE PA to engage and exchange views with Georgian interlocutors on recent political developments and issues related to democracy, security, and regional stability,” the OSCE PA said in a March 7 press release.

The delegation met with key Georgian Dream officials, including Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili, Interior Minister Geka Geladze, Speaker of the disputed parliament Shalva Papuashvili, and GD-elected President Mikheil Kavelashvili, as well as Public Defender Levan Ioseliani. They also met with opposition parties both inside and outside parliament, civil society members, and representatives of the diplomatic community. On the first day of the visit, the delegation visited the occupation line and met with internally displaced persons.

In a March 10 press release, the OSCE PA said the visit aimed at “encouraging dialogue, strengthening democratic institutions, and promoting engagement across the political spectrum,” while noting the lack of “political dialogue” among parties and calling for “constructive” engagement of “all sides.”

The delegation also sought to meet with individuals widely considered political prisoners, including Sakharov Prize laureate and jailed journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli, but authorities denied the request.

Visit to the Occupation Line

On March 8, the delegation visited the occupation line in the village of Khurvaleti in the Gori municipality. They were accompanied by Levan Makhashvili, chair of the EU Integration Committee of Georgia’s disputed Parliament.

According to a press release from the Georgian Parliament, Makhashvili “briefed” the delegation on the “ongoing occupation of Georgia’s regions by the Russian Federation and its negative consequences, the problems faced by the local population, as well as the security challenges and threats related to the occupation.”

Meeting with the Disputed Parliament Speaker

On March 9, OSCE PA President Pere Joan Pons Sampietro met with Speaker of Georgia’s disputed Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili.

Papuashvili wrote on social media that he “expressed gratitude” for the delegation’s “willingness to engage in open and constructive dialogue.” He added that he emphasized the importance of what he described as the OSCE/ODIHR’s “objective report” on Georgia’s 2024 parliamentary elections.

He also said Georgia remains a “loyal and active member” of the OSCE and that the country “will continue to support the organization’s activities in the future.”

According to Papuashvili, Sampietro emphasized during the meeting the role of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly as a “common platform for dialogue” and stressed the importance of maintaining its relevance and effectiveness “in a world full of challenges.” He added that the official “reaffirmed firm support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

He further said the talks touched on “political developments in Georgia in recent years” and the work of the parliament. “I noted that the Georgian Parliament adopts laws in response to ongoing developments in the country and is actively working to safeguard Georgia’s democracy,” Papuashvili said.

“I also confirmed the Georgian side’s readiness to continue working on the implementation of OSCE/ODIHR recommendations,” he added. “We reaffirmed our readiness to continue the dialogue.”

According to IPN, Pere Joan Pons Sampietro described the meeting as “very good” and “sincere,” noting that the sides discussed “the findings of the 2024 report.”

“This was our first meeting. It was interesting and lasted more than an hour. We will discuss all the issues that concern this country, and then we will hold a press conference, because I want to hear all the views and data first, and after that we will speak,” Sampietro was quoted as saying.

Meeting with GD-elected President

On March 10, Georgian Dream-elected President Mikheil Kavelashvili met with the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Pere Joan Pons Sampietro.

According to the presidential administration, Kavelashvili welcomed Sampietro’s visit to Georgia, noting that it provides an opportunity to discuss “current issues and further deepen future cooperation.”

The discussion also touched upon the “ongoing political processes” in Georgia, with Kavelashvili noting that the country “has been and continues to be a steadfast supporter of democratic principles, human rights, and the rule of law, since 2012.”

Kavelashvili further emphasized that Georgia “consistently acts as a constructive and responsible participant state” in international affairs and remains committed to “strengthening multilateral cooperation and fostering dialogue.”

Meeting with the GD Interior Minister

On March 10, Georgian Dream Interior Minister Geka Geladze met with Pere Joan Pons Sampietro.

“The parties discussed the measures implemented by the Ministry of Internal Affairs to maintain public order and ensure security in Georgia,” MIA’s press release said. “The Minister introduced the delegation members to the priority areas of the Ministry’s activities and ongoing reforms.”

The discussion also reportedly touched on cooperation between the Ministry and the OSCE. Geladze emphasized that “relations with OSCE institutions are important and a priority for Georgia,” and expressed readiness “to deepen the existing cooperation.”

Meeting with Public Defender

On the same day, Levan Ioseliani, the Public Defender of Georgia, and his First Deputy, Tamar Gvaramadze, met with Pere Joan Pons Sampietro.

According to the Public Defender’s Office, the meeting discussed the human rights issue in Georgia, including “the situation of those detained during the December 2024 protests and the ongoing investigation process,” as well as the Ombudsman’s efforts to “protect fundamental freedoms and strengthen the democratic environment in the country.”

“The parties also discussed prospects for cooperation with OSCE structures,” the press release said.

Meeting with the GD Prime Minister

Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze met with the delegation on March 10. The meeting was also attended by GD Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili, Head of the Government Administration Levan Zhorzholiani, and Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Relations Nikoloz Samkharadze

According to the government administration, the meeting discussed “the bilateral cooperation agenda between Georgia and the OSCE,” with Kobakhidze noting that “Georgia values the important role carried by the OSCE in matters related to conflicts inter alia.”

“During the meeting, attention was also given to ongoing political processes in the country, recent legislative changes, and the necessity of upholding the rule of law in a democratic state,” the press release said.

Also Read:

• 03/07/2025 – OSCE PA Urges Release of ‘All Political Prisoners’, Holding New Elections in Georgia
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• 06/01/2025 – OSCE PA President Cancels her Visit to Georgia Amid Criticism
• 03/12/2024 – OSCE PA Special Representative on Georgia Protests: Reports of Violence ‘Alarming’