Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili met with Edite Estrela and Sabina Ćudić, co-rapporteurs of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), during their visit to Tbilisi.

According to the parliament’s press service, Papuashvili welcomed the opportunity to engage with the PACE representatives, noting that Georgia had recently completed another electoral cycle with the local elections held in October. He added that the government would continue active work on legislative and institutional reforms over the next three years.

Discussing cooperation with PACE, Papuashvili emphasized that there is no evidence supporting allegations of fraud in the 2024 parliamentary elections. He expressed uncertainty over the basis for the Assembly’s demand for early elections, as stated in a resolution adopted earlier this year — a decision that led to the suspension of Georgia’s parliamentary delegation’s participation in PACE.

The Speaker pointed out that the recent local elections were held under the same conditions as the parliamentary elections, but two opposition parties that had previously boycotted the process decided to participate. He said this development indirectly confirms that the accusations of electoral fraud were unfounded.

During the meeting, the parties also discussed recently adopted legislation. Papuashvili provided the co-rapporteurs with detailed information about the amendments and noted that the laws subject to criticism are currently being reviewed by the Constitutional Court of Georgia and the European Court of Human Rights. He underlined the importance of awaiting judicial decisions instead of making political judgments.

The conversation also covered Georgia’s European integration process. Papuashvili reaffirmed the country’s commitment to fulfilling its obligations under the EU–Georgia Association Agreement.

Additionally, the meeting touched on the parliamentary majority’s lawsuit filed with the Constitutional Court, contesting the constitutionality of three opposition parties.

Papuashvili reiterated that Georgia remains a committed member of the Council of Europe and PACE, emphasizing the importance of upholding the principles of sovereignty, democracy, the rule of law, and human rights.

Nikoloz Samkharadze, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, also participated in the discussions.