Chairman of the Parliament’s Foreign Relations Committee said the visiting OSCE Chairperson / Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen had violated all moral and ethical norms by joining demonstrators on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi.

“She violated all moral and ethical norms. This is not about diplomacy and bilateral relations. She came to a protest rally and stood there with about 50 people, including on the blocked Rustaveli Avenue, and said that apparently freedom of expression is being restricted in Georgia. She herself was on the avenue where freedom of expression may be exercised at a level that might not even exist in Helsinki.

In Finland, 50 people cannot block a main street, and there are many examples of that. This was an unfriendly act, but even more shameful was her statement. The Prime Minister made the right decision by canceling the meeting, and I welcome that”, - said Nikoloz Samkharadze.

Elina Valtonen visited Rustaveli Avenue on Tuesday, October 14, to speak with participants gathered outside the Parliament building. She also posted on X in support of the demonstrators, calling them “peaceful protesters gathered to express concern over the country’s repressive policies”.