Georgia to Boycott Euronest Assembly in Yerevan

The Georgian parliamentary delegation has announced that it will not participate in the 12th plenary session of the "Euronest" Parliamentary Assembly, to be held in Yerevan from October 28-30. Levan Makhashvili, the chairman of the European Integration Committee of the Georgian Parliament, commenting on the reasons for the boycott, made harsh criticisms. He noted that the assembly, by providing a platform to certain individuals who have tried to overthrow democratic institutions in Georgia, is in fact legitimizing their actions. "By providing them with a platform, Euronest is normalizing and encouraging anti-democratic behavior, justifying violence and radical political agendas," Makhashvili said.

In a later published official letter, the Georgian side detailed its concerns. The document states that "Euronest" has deviated from its fundamental principles, and "real multilateral dialogue is, unfortunately, a distant history." Tbilisi expresses concern about the "hostile rhetoric" of some members of the European Parliament, who, according to the letter, are making "distorted and false political statements," giving preference to their political allies in Georgia who are accused of criminal offenses.

The Georgian side accuses MEPs of joining protests in front of the Georgian Parliament and making posts on social networks that encourage "public disorder, radicalization, and violence."

Particular concern was also expressed that "Euronest" has sent invitations to a number of individuals acting under the label of "civil society," who, according to Tbilisi, have "been involved in actions to reject elections, undermine legitimate democratic institutions, and support recent attempts to overthrow the government in Georgia."