Speaker of the Georgian Parliament Shalva Papuashvili has sharply criticized the activation of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) “Moscow Mechanism” by 24 participating states, describing it as a politically motivated initiative aimed at pressuring and intimidating Georgia.
Speaking to the media, Papuashvili said that while the Georgian authorities remain open to dialogue, international partners — particularly Brussels — are deliberately blocking communication.
“We constantly say that we are ready for dialogue and to answer any question on any issue. In contrast, we see Brussels blocking any dialogue,” Papuashvili said. “This is another example of how such organizations are used to attack, intimidate, and subjugate the Georgian people. The preference for threats and blackmail instead of dialogue clearly demonstrates an unqualified policy toward Georgia.”
Papuashvili insisted that the Georgian government has nothing to hide and is prepared to cooperate with international institutions.
“There is no question to which we do not have an answer and no issue we cannot discuss,” he said, adding that no international body has formally requested access to investigative materials held by the Georgian authorities.
Referring to a recent report by the BBC, Papuashvili rejected allegations suggesting the use of chemical weapons, calling them false and historically unfounded.
“It turned out that the substance mentioned was not historically present on the territory of Georgia,” he said. “Let the creation and use of chemical weapons be investigated in Britain. The Prime Minister has already stated that we are ready to provide investigation materials to relevant international institutions, but no one has applied. If they come, see the facts, and study the materials, they will have to admit that they were wrong.”
The parliamentary speaker also claimed that the initiative to activate the Moscow Mechanism was led by Poland, whose Prime Minister Donald Tusk he accused of political bias.
Papuashvili claimed that the Polish government has previously supported former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, whom he described as the architect of a “torture system” in Georgia.
“We will not accept human rights lectures from the friends and supporters of the creator of Georgia’s torture system,” Papuashvili said. “This confirms that the Moscow Mechanism is being used as a political tool against Georgia, designed to continuously provide radicals with topics and narratives.”
The OSCE Moscow Mechanism was activated amid international concern over the deterioration of the human rights situation in Georgia, prompting the creation of an independent expert mission. Georgian authorities have been urged by participating states to cooperate with the mission.
Image: 1TV
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