Speaking ahead of the European Political Community Summit in Tirana, Albania, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, emphasized the need for open dialogue with Georgia, citing recent legislative developments that have raised concerns.

“There is a clear statement for the European future in Georgia,” Berset said, “but on the other side, an evolution by certain laws that raises some concerns for us. That means it’s exactly the moment where we need to be in contact, to have some dialogue and to try to be clear and transparent about what we can do in this situation.”

Berset did not rule out the possibility of a direct discussion with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze during the summit, following previous talks in Antalya. He highlighted the Council of Europe's continued focus on the South Caucasus, particularly the importance of peace and stability in the region, including ongoing efforts to support the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process.

Reflecting on his visit to Georgia in December, Berset noted that while the country’s European aspirations remain evident, certain legislative developments have been difficult to reconcile with those ambitions.

“We agreed to develop a structured dialogue to address these issues,” he added. “We are at an important moment, and we may have the opportunity to discuss this further with Prime Minister Kobakhidze directly.”