After having spoken by telephone “in the last 24 hours” with the President of Georgia, Salomé Zourabichvili, and the Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, on Wednesday 4 December Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, expressed “the Council of Europe’s concern at the increased polarisation and political deadlock” in the country.
He calls on the authorities to “refrain from further escalation” and stresses “the importance of investigating the reported instances of excessive use of force by law enforcement during demonstrations”.
The Council of Europe, of which Georgia is a member, can play a role in holding discussions between all the parties involved, the Secretary General pointed out, stressing the importance of respecting the Organisation's values and standards in the interests of the Georgian people and the country’s stability.
Alain Berset underlines his “resolve to continue supporting Georgia in its European aspirations and to ensure its democratic security” and provides assurances that the Council of Europe is prepared to “continue supporting Georgia, including in the framework of its existing Action Plan, which will accompany the country on its European path”.
Alain Berset also announced his intention to visit Georgia “soon”. (Original version in French by Véronique Leblanc)