Imedi /  15 May 2026, 14:51 / Reliable source

Georgian FM says “hypocrisy” to lament so-called “democratic backsliding” in Georgia while simultaneously encouraging radical forces that reject elections

Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia

Maka Botchorishvili

Speaking at the 135th session of the committee of ministers of the Council of Europe, Georgian foreign minister Maka Botchorishvili on Friday said it was “hypocrisy” to lament a so-called “democratic backsliding” in Georgia while simultaneously encouraging radical forces that reject elections.

“It is hypocrisy to lament a so-called ‘democratic backsliding’ while simultaneously encouraging radical forces that are rejecting elections; to claim ‘support for the Georgian people’ while demonstratively distancing oneself from the government elected by those very people; to speak of the rule of law while at the same time seeking ways to circumvent law and justice”, she said.

“To criticise a country occupied by Russia for the perceived insufficiency of its resistance to Russia, and to casually attach the label of ‘pro-Russian’, is no longer a political assessment - it is a simplification of reality and an evasion of responsibility”, the FM concluded.

All News

Maka Botchorishvili Andrii Sybiha

15 May 2026, 17:10

Foreign policy

Georgian, Ukrainian FMs reaffirm importance of restoring healthy diplomatic relations

Georgia’s consistent political and humanitarian support for Ukraine was discussed on Friday in a meeting between Georgian foreign minister Maka Botchorishvili and her Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha within the framework of the 135th session of the committee of ministers of the council of Europe held in Chisinau.

Photo: Screenshot from Video

15 May 2026, 17:01

Politics

Georgian FM welcomes Kyiv’s steps toward continued dialogue

Georgian foreign minister Maka Botchorishvili on Friday said it was important for the Ukrainian side to have a “correct understanding” of public attitudes in Georgia regarding the actions and rhetoric demonstrated by representatives of the Ukrainian government in recent years.

Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

15 May 2026, 16:39

Politics

Georgian FM expresses concern over accreditation denial of three Georgian TV stations at CoE ministerial event

Georgian foreign minister Maka Botchorishvili on Friday said that the format of the Council of Europe ministerial meeting provides Georgia with one of the best opportunities to discuss issues of national concern with participating states.

Andrii Sybiha Maka Botchorishvili

15 May 2026, 15:58

Foreign policy

Ukrainian, Georgian Foreign Ministers hold talks on sidelines of Council of Europe meeting

Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha on Friday met with his Georgian counterpart Maka Botchorishvili on the sidelines of the ministerial session of the committee of ministers of the Council of Europe.

Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia

15 May 2026, 15:56

Foreign policy

Georgian FM: Georgia remains fully committed to supporting Ukrainian people, upholding international norms

Georgian foreign minister Maka Botchorishvili on Friday said that Georgia remains fully committed to supporting the Ukrainian people and upholding international norms, including respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of both Georgia and Ukraine.

Irakli Kobakhidze

15 May 2026, 15:44

Society

Georgian PM thanks specific retail networks for taking steps to reduce prices

Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday expressed appreciation toward specific retail networks for taking steps to reduce prices.

15 May 2026, 15:19

Justice

Joint Georgian-Spanish law enforcement operation leads to 13 arrests in Spain

Law enforcement agencies from Georgia and Spain have detained 13 individuals as part of an international special operation codenamed CACHABA, carried out in Spain, according to Georgia’s ministry of internal affairs.

Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

15 May 2026, 14:27

Foreign policy

Georgian FM: deeply troubling when freedom of speech, media freedom are interpreted selectively

Georgian foreign minister Maka Botchorishvili on Friday slammed the fact that journalists from three different Georgian television channels were denied entry into Moldova and prevented from carrying out their professional duties.

Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

15 May 2026, 14:17

Foreign policy

Georgian FM: when political objectives are placed above facts, this no longer serves to strengthen democracy, but erodes trust

Georgian foreign minister Maka Botchorishvili on Friday responded to criticism of Georgia, stressing that criticism was a natural part of democracy, but when political objectives were placed above facts, this no longer served to strengthen democracy, but was eroding trust.

15 May 2026, 14:10

Politics

Georgian FM: Georgia remains committed to peaceful conflict resolution, regional security

Georgian foreign minister Maka Botchorishvili on Friday said Georgia remains firmly committed to the peaceful and comprehensive resolution of conflicts and continues to do everything possible to preserve peace, stability, and security in the region.

Photo: Government Administration

15 May 2026, 13:58

Politics

Georgian PM: restoring peace in Ukraine remains key

Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday said that restoring peace in Ukraine remains the primary focus for Georgia, emphasising that Tbilisi will not impose any preconditions on Kyiv despite what he described as “extremely unfriendly steps” from the Ukrainian government.

Irakli Kobakhidze

15 May 2026, 13:40

Politics

Georgian PM signals readiness for detailed talks on renewing US strategic partnership

Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday said that communication with American partners has recently intensified, noting ongoing and planned high-level contacts aimed at reviewing specific details of bilateral relations.

Photo: Georgian Government

15 May 2026, 13:25

Politics

Georgian PM: opposition initiatives on May 26 doomed to failure

Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday said that any initiative planned by the opposition for May 26 are “doomed to complete failure”, claiming the opposition lacks even the level of public support they mustered on October 4.

Irakli Kobakhidze

15 May 2026, 13:10

Politics

Georgian PM accuses European Parliament of disregarding media freedom, compares it to Supreme Soviet of Soviet Union

Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday sharply criticised the European Parliament, accusing it of disregarding media freedom and comparing the institution to the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union.

Photo: Government of Georgia

15 May 2026, 13:04

Politics

Georgian PM: media freedom in Moldova has long been trampled - only two state channels remain

Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday said that media freedom in Moldova had long been “trampled underfoot”, stressing that only two television channels remain in the country.

Photo: Patriarchate of Georgia

15 May 2026, 12:40

Politics

Georgian Parliament official suggests potential corruption and “dark agendas” behind Imedi TV restrictions in European Parliament

The recent decision by the European Parliament to restrict Imedi TV from performing its professional duties within the parliament building for a period of one year is driven by the specific interests of certain groups, fueled by potential corruption and “dark agendas”, said on Friday Rati Ionatamishvili, the chair of the human rights and civil integration committee of the Georgian Parliament.

Photo: Screenshot from Video

15 May 2026, 12:30

Politics

MEPs admit months-long campaign against Imedi TV, linked to radical opposition

Certain members of the European Parliament have admitted to conducting a months-long campaign targeting the Georgian television company Imedi.

Photo: Imedi TV

15 May 2026, 12:22

Politics

“Opposition’s destructive scenarios no longer work” - Georgian Parliament Vice Speaker dismisses opposition’s planned May 26 rally

Nino Tsilosani, the vice speaker of the Georgian Parliament, on Thursday dismissed the opposition’s planned rally for Independence Day on May 26, stating that any attempts to create unrest or stage “destructive scenarios” are bound to fail.

Photo: Parliament of Georgia

15 May 2026, 12:07

Politics

Georgia seeks to renew ties with strategic partners while defending “red lines”, says Georgian Parliament Vice Speaker

Nino Tsilosani, the vice speaker of the Georgian Parliament, on Thursday said that she supported restoring relations with all of Georgia’s strategic partners and friendly countries, although this “should not become an obsession achieved at any cost”.