Armen Gevorgyan said during the debate on Georgia in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) that the situation in Georgia requires attention and a balanced approach.

“Georgia’s current situation requires our attention. We cannot ignore concerns about the rule of law or the functioning of democratic institutions in any member state. It is also the responsibility of this Assembly to respond. It must be clear that the disproportionate or unlawful use of force against protesters is unacceptable and must be investigated. Accountability is not a sign of institutional weakness, but of democratic strength,” he said.

He added that the Assembly’s goal should not only be to identify shortcomings.

“Our goal should be to contribute to creating conditions for democratic progress. In this regard, I welcome a balanced approach. Although recent developments in Georgia are concerning, we must maintain the possibility of dialogue between the Georgian authorities and the Council of Europe. At the same time, one of our priorities should be supporting the restoration of political dialogue in Georgia. As a representative of the region, what we see in Georgia today is part of a broader regional challenge. Democratic development in the South Caucasus is under increasing pressure. What is acceptable in one country today may become acceptable in another tomorrow. When our organization allows restrictions on political competition and disputed elections in one country, it risks becoming a new norm elsewhere. We must resist a reality where democratic institutions exist on paper, but democracy itself disappears,” Gevorgian said.