Georgia wants to chair the OSCE, but EU countries oppose its candidacy, according to Rapporteur.

According to Rapporteur, Georgia is stepping up its efforts to become the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in 2027.

The publication quotes a statement made by Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, according to which, “Georgia is interested in becoming the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in 2027 and is ready to cooperate with all participating States of the organization.”

As the publication writes, Cyprus is the only official candidate for the OSCE chairmanship at present, and it is supported by most EU countries, although its candidacy is being blocked by Turkey.

“This dispute has left the OSCE without consensus on its future chairmanship, giving Georgia an opportunity to present itself as an alternative,” Rapporteur writes.

Asked whether the EU still supports Cyprus’s candidacy, EU spokesperson Christian Wigand replied, “Yes.” He also said that the EU is not considering alternative candidates.

The next meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council will be held in Lugano on December 3-4. Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov may attend the meeting in person.

“If Turkey continues to block Cyprus’s candidacy, Georgia’s candidacy may be presented as a potential alternative at the Ministerial Council in Lugano,” the publication’s article states.

According to the publication, the Baltic states have taken a particularly firm position against Georgia’s potential candidacy.

Russia’s position regarding Georgia’s candidacy is also unknown.