Papuashvili: Georgia won't be in PACE unless its sovereignty is respected

The Georgian parliament will not send a delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) until the sovereignty of the Georgian people is fully respected, declared Shalva Papuashvili, Speaker of Georgia's parliament, Report informs.

Papuashvili criticized PACE’s recent resolution, describing it as a "Soviet-style" act that undermines the sovereignty of nations.

"PACE has betrayed its own principles and values with this step. We are deeply concerned that Soviet-style behaviors are increasingly manifesting on various international platforms. This is particularly evident among representatives from the post-Soviet space, many of whom now operate under the European Union flag," he stated.

The speaker emphasized that the resolution disrespects the Georgian people's sovereign choice:

"That is why our delegation left the assembly. The Georgian people have the right to decide for themselves who governs them. If this right is not upheld, we will not participate."