Statement by the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Maka Botchorishvili at the 135th session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe

Dear Colleagues,

Let me start by expressing our unwavering solidarity with the people of Ukraine as Russia’s continued aggression causes unacceptable suffering and loss of life.

Today, Europe faces numerous challenges. Yet war and conflicts are not the only threats undermining the very foundations upon which Europe was built. Equally dangerous are the relativization of truth, double standards, the re-evaluation of values for political expediency, and the weakening of democratic principles in the name of democracy itself.

Today, journalists from three different Georgian television channels who wished to cover our meeting, were denied entry into Moldova and prevented from carrying out their professional duties

It is deeply troubling when freedom of speech and media freedom are interpreted selectively.

In recent years, criticism of my country has become, for some, the most voguish pursuit. Criticism is a natural part of democracy. But when political objectives are placed above facts, this no longer serves to strengthen democracy - it erodes trust.

It is hypocrisy to lament a so-called “democratic backsliding” while simultaneously encouraging radical forces that are rejecting elections; to claim ,,support for the Georgian people’’ while demonstratively distancing oneself from the government elected by those very people; to speak of the rule of law while at the same time seeking ways to circumvent law and justice.

To criticize a country occupied by Russia for the perceived insufficiency of its resistance to Russia, and to casually attach the label of “pro-Russian,” is no longer a political assessment - it is a simplification of reality and an evasion of responsibility.

Dear Colleagues,

Upholding and respecting principles bear particular significance for us - for a country whose territories remain 20 percent occupied by Russia, and whose hundreds of thousands of citizens are still deprived of the right to return to their homes.

The occupation, effective control, and Russia’s responsibility for grave human rights violations have been confirmed by international courts, including judgments of the European Court of Human Rights.

Nevertheless, Russia continues to disregard its international obligations and is taking further steps toward the annexation of Georgia’s regions. Evidence of this is the so-called “Agreement on Deepening Alliance and Cooperation” signed on May 9, 2026, between Moscow and the Russian occupation regime in Tskhinvali.

Today, as the war in Ukraine continues, it has become even clearer that no country can truly be secure if international law is applied selectively, if occupation is gradually accepted as a “new normal,” and if force is allowed to prevail over law.

Georgia remains firmly committed to the peaceful and comprehensive resolution of conflicts and continues to do everything possible to preserve peace, stability, and security in the region.

We know the price of war all too well, and we understand that peace is not merely the absence of military escalation, but a responsibility before our people, our region, and our shared European future.