Paweł Herczyński’s statement regarding Irakli Kobakhidze’s initiative on dialogue

EU Ambassador to Georgia Paweł Herczyński responded to Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze's statements at a press conference. Herczyński noted that Kobakhidze's mention of dialogue is positive, however, according to 1tv, the ambassador stated that over the past year the ruling party has stripped this dialogue of its substance, while Formula and Formula-fb note that this process has been emptied of substance over the last three years. 1TV+2

According to the ambassador, in order to restore dialogue, it is necessary to stop the smear propaganda and agitation directed against the European Union. Herczyński stated that it is impossible for serious institutions to discuss conspiracy theories named by the government, such as the "deep state" or the "global war party". 1TV+1

Paweł Herczyński emphasized the democratic backsliding in the country, as well as the pressure on civil society and independent media. According to Formula, the ambassador called the ruling party's attempt to ban opposition parties that crossed the electoral threshold through the Constitutional Court unprecedented, which, according to him, poses a threat to democratic foundations. 1TV+1