Kobakhidze Says There Are ‘Clear Preconditions’ for High-Level Parliamentary Visit to Ukraine
By The Messenger Staff
Tuesday, April 12, 2022
Irakli Kobakhidze, Chairman of the Georgian Dream party, said that the ruling party had decided to send representatives of the parliamentary majority to Ukraine, but that there were ‘clear preconditions’ for a visit to the highest parliamentary level.
At a briefing at the party's office, he listed several reasons which they claimed were ‘offensive steps’ by the Ukrainian authorities towards the Georgian state.
“There is a general readiness to pay a visit of the highest parliamentary level, but there are clear preconditions. You’re all aware of these preconditions.
Unfortunately, several offensive steps have been taken by the Ukrainian authorities.
When there is an insult to the state, at such times, it is necessary to take a stand. This is related to the issue of recalling the ambassador. First, he was called for consultations, then he was fired. To this day, Ukraine remains in a state of demarche towards Georgia, so it turns out. We have not seen any different steps from the Ukrainian authorities since then - this situation can be changed.
Second - we have heard allegations of smuggling. Then, we heard softened statements from the Ukrainian authorities, but we agree that this is not enough. When such an accusation comes from the Ukrainian authorities, it needs to be properly confirmed or denied, which we have not heard. Consequently, this issue remains relevant.
The third and most fundamental issue - we think that the root of all these problems is that people who are radical opposition leaders in Georgia are still represented in the Ukrainian government.
These are: Saakashvili, who is the head of the Reform Council, Adeishvili, the adviser to the Prosecutor General, Lortkipanidze, who is promoted to the position of Deputy Head of Counterintelligence, and, well, Arakhamia is the person who provides a direct link between these people and the Ukrainian government. This is an unfortunate reality,” Kobakhidze said.
Rada Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk invited all parliamentarians, including Shalva Papuashvili, to enter Bucha. Shortly afterward, the chairman's office made a statement that Papuashvili was working remotely due to his health condition, after which, Papuashvili called the invitation inappropriate.
