We see that the OSCE is in an existential crisis, the OSCE failed to prevent armed aggressions by Russia against Georgia and Ukraine. Such a statement Nikoloz Samkharadze, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Georgian Parliament / Head of Georgia’s Permanent Delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly made during the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly session.

"I would like to start my intervention by thanking the outgoing president of the assembly Pia Kauma for her leadership and ability to withstand external and internal pressures. I commend her for navigating high waters and attempts to engage in meaningful dialogue. Thank you and I wish you all the best in your future endeavours.

Title of our debate is OSCE 50 years after Helsinki. Unfortunately, we see that the organization is in existential crisis. OSCE failed to prevent armed aggressions by Russia against Georgia and Ukraine, it fails to regulate other conflicts. Security architecture for member states, which it once tried to build is in shatters. Sovereign territories of my country have been occupied for the last 17 years by Russia and the international community can not do anything to change status-quo. This crisis is further aggravated by attempts of certain members to silence and exclude colleagues who do not share their opinion or challenge them with valid arguments. Most of you dear colleagues are not aware of the fact that recently, several members of this assembly appealed to the Prime-Minister of Portugal not to allow Georgian members of the assembly to enter the country, thus trying to exclude Georgian delegation from participation. This was a highly deplorable act worthy of utmost condemnation, which goes against the values and principles of OSCE and parliamentarism at large.

We are witnessing worrying trends nurtured by some members of this assembly of neglecting findings of election observation missions and making trumped-up statements serving their narrow political interests, interests of their friendly parties (election deniers in our case) and completely disregarding facts. The recent debates in the committees, especially the ones concerning my country have demonstrated to any neutral observer that accusations against countries are made without providing evidence and solid argumentation. If today, it is twisting the findings of electoral reports, spreading lies and calling people who attack with firebombs and Molotov-cocktails peaceful, tomorrow in the same vein we might be called elephants and then if the majority likes this label, then such a nonsense would also end up in the text of a resolution.

This is a very dangerous path and erodes the trust and credibility of electoral observation missions and of the organization in general. In these hard times when we are facing global security challenges, geopolitical shifts and increasing animosity between the states we need to stand up for truth and rule of law. I am an optimist by nature and I believe that truth always prevails over lies and facts always prevail over perceptions. Therefore, I hope that when we gather again next summer, I will be able to concentrate on more positive developments in OSCE area", - said Nikoloz Samkharadze.