**PACE President Warns Georgia: Attend Assembly or Face Consequences**
Theodoros Rousopoulos, the head of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), spoke with journalists yesterday. He stressed that it is mandatory for the Georgian delegation to attend PACE sessions, not optional.
**Background**
In January, PACE adopted a resolution on Georgia, ratifying its credentials but setting conditions. The resolution included demands for new elections and the release of all political prisoners by April. In response, Tea Tsulukiani, head of the Georgian delegation, announced that Georgia would suspend its work in the Assembly.
**Rousopoulos’ Statement**
President Rousopoulos said that PACE is not a flexible institution where participation is a choice. Instead, it’s an obligation for member countries to attend sessions and respect the organization‘s rules. He noted that since the Georgian delegation’s credentials were ratified, they must be present in the Assembly.
**Discussions Ahead**
Rousopoulos’ Presidential Committee will discuss Georgia’s case further over the next weeks. A decision will be made at the next PACE session in April. The President refused to speculate on what might happen if the Georgian delegation continues to refuse its obligation.
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