“When we talk about democracy, it is impossible to turn a blind eye to the double standards applied in relation to Georgia,” said Georgia’s Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maka Bochorishvili while speaking about the 135th session of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers.

According to the minister, the Council of Europe ministerial format is an important opportunity for Georgia to discuss with partner countries issues that are of particular importance to the country’s foreign policy agenda.

Bochorishvili emphasized Georgia’s security challenges and the importance of properly informing partners about these issues.

“First of all, the security challenges facing Georgia are very important. Our fellow ministers were properly informed about the developments taking place in relation to Georgia and its occupied regions. Of course, it is impossible not to respond to the attitudes that exist among member states of the organization toward Georgia. When we talk about democracy, it is impossible to ignore the double standards applied to Georgia,” the Foreign Minister said.

Bochorishvili also expressed concern over the fact that three Georgian television stations were denied accreditation to cover the ministerial meeting.

“It was indeed concerning to see that three Georgian TV stations were denied accreditation and were unable to carry out their professional work and cover the ministerial session. This is a truly noteworthy fact and deserves to be known by member states of the organization, showing to what extent double standards are applied when there is talk about media and freedom of expression. Accordingly, this fact could not remain unaddressed in my speech,” she noted.

According to the minister, elections are the foundation of a democratic society, and it is the government elected by the people that represents the legitimate interests of the country.

“When we talk about democracy, it is impossible, on the one hand, to criticize democratic backsliding, and on the other hand, for the same countries and the same people to encourage radical forces in a country that do not participate in elections, do not recognize election results, and generally oppose the principles of democracy. Therefore, such double standards and approaches must always be under scrutiny. Of course, this may not be pleasant for everyone to hear, but this is not a gathering where only pleasant topics should be discussed. It is important that attention is focused on all critical issues,” Bochorishvili said, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.