Council of Europe Secretary General emphasises dialogue with Georgia regarding European aspirations

Alain Berset, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, on Friday noted the critical need for continued dialogue and transparency with Georgia, emphasising the nation's clear aspirations for a European future.

In his remarks, Berset indicated that he might have the opportunity to discuss these matters directly with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on the sidelines of the 6th Summit of the European Political Community.

“For me and for the Council of Europe, the South Caucasus is truly important. Stability and peace in the region are vital. I also want to mention the efforts we are making to support and encourage a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Regarding Georgia, I visited the country in December. Georgia has clearly expressed its aspiration toward a European future. However, on the other hand, there are certain laws that raise concerns for us”, the Secretary General said.

He stressed the importance of maintaining open communication and dialogue in light of these concerns.

“This means that now is exactly the time for contact, dialogue, and shared transparency. That is why I recently had communication with Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. Our last meeting was also in Antalya. We agreed to work together on developing a structured dialogue to address all these issues. Here too, at the summit, we may have the opportunity to discuss them face-to-face”, he concluded.