23 February 2013, 20:00
During a session of PACE Saakashvili called for Moscow to turn down its imperial ambitions
During a session of PACE President of Georgia Mikhail Saakashvili accused Russia of “imperial ambitions”. In their turn, the delegation of the Russian Federation suggested the Assembly to investigate violations of human rights in Georgia during the period of Mikhail Saakashvili’s presidency.
Saakashvili criticized Russian diplomacy calling its methods “unbecoming”. In particular, Saakashvili stated that Russia was “striving for acknowledgement of Abkhazia and South Ossetia by means of pressure on such countries as Tuvalu and Nauru”.
Saakashvili expressed assurance that PACE would retain its position concerning support of territorial integrity of Georgia within the boundaries of its internationally acknowledged borders, “Novosti-Georgia” reports.
Saakashvili called peaceful change of power in the country the main achievement of Georgian democracy. “I was certainly disappointed with the results of the election but I was proud that power in the country changed as a result of election”, the President of Georgia emphasized.
Mikhail Saakashvili expressed doubt about the possibility of the country’ joining NATO in the near future. According to him, he was extremely surprised by what Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili said during his visit to Yerevan.
“In particular, he said that Georgia could have good relations with NATO and Russia at the same time. Unfortunately, what the Prime Minister said changes all we had done before. It means that Georgia’s joining NATO might become questionable, “Georgia Online” quotes Saakashvili.
Head of the delegation of the Russian Federation Alexey Pushkov raised the question of violation of human rights in Georgia and offered to prepare a special report on the issue.
“Cases of gross violation of human rights were hidden behind a democratic faзade in Georgia: using violence against convicts, victimization of the opposition and arrests. Saakashvili bears personal responsibility for all that”, “Commersant” quotes Pushkov.
