Georgia warns against politicisation of OSCE platforms and misleading narratives

Georgia’s delegation to the OSCE Permanent Council on Friday called for genuine dialogue and constructive exchanges of views, warning against the use of the organisation’s platforms to promote misleading narratives or politicise differences of opinion.

Speaking at a Permanent Council meeting on the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference, Georgia’s representative highlighted the conference’s importance as one of the OSCE’s leading platforms for dialogue between participating States and civil society.

The delegation also expressed concern over repeated disruptions during statements at the conference, saying they undermined constructive dialogue and restricted participants’ ability to express their views freely and without obstruction.

The statement referred to the conduct of Baia Pataraia during the conference, specifically her display of a banner.

Georgia’s delegation stressed that the credibility of OSCE platforms depended on respect for established procedural rules and codes of conduct. It also reaffirmed that the rule of law, democratic governance, human rights protection and freedom of expression were fundamental to the OSCE’s human dimension.

Ekaterine Zodelava, Minister-Counsellor at the Embassy of Georgia in Austria and Georgia’s Permanent Mission to the OSCE, said repeated disruptions during statements at the conference undermined the spirit of constructive dialogue and limited participants’ ability to express their views freely and without obstruction. She added that such behaviour undermined mutual respect and compliance with established procedures, which are essential for effective multilateral cooperation.

“OSCE platforms should promote genuine dialogue and constructive exchanges of views and should not be used as instruments for selective interpretations, misleading narratives or the politicisation of differing opinions”, she said.

“Georgia remains committed to good-faith cooperation within the OSCE and constructive engagement in the organisation. We will continue to support an environment in which dialogue is essential, participation is inclusive, and the principles of fairness, impartiality and mutual respect are upheld equally by all participating States and parties”, Zodelava concluded.