In the resolution adopted on January 27, criticisms toward Azerbaijan and Georgia intensified, while it was stated that the Armenian government has been making consistent efforts on the path of democratic development.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) will review the confirmation of the Georgian delegation's mandate on April 1 of this year. During this period, the Georgian government must announce new parliamentary elections, put an end to police brutality and violations of citizens' rights, and release political prisoners.

Until these demands are met, the powers of the Georgian delegation have been significantly restricted. The members of the delegation will not be able to participate in the meetings of the five committees of the Assembly, nor will they be able to serve as political rapporteurs. According to the decision of the Assembly, their observation activities have also been restricted.

The Georgian delegation suspended its activities in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) after the adoption of Resolution 2580 on January 27. Tea Tsulukiani, a prominent member of the "Georgian Dream" party and a member of Georgia's delegation to PACE, announced their decision to withdraw shortly after the vote.

PACE President Theodoros Roussopoulos expressed regret over the Georgian delegation's decision to withdraw from the Assembly.

"This move jeopardizes the dialogue that could help advance democratic standards in Georgia," Roussopoulos said.

A similar step was taken by the Azerbaijani government during the 2024 winter session of PACE. The Azerbaijani delegation had announced that it was suspending its activities "for an indefinite period" shortly before the Assembly's decision regarding the non-confirmation of its mandate.

PACE had not confirmed the mandates of Azerbaijani deputies, citing the country's failure to fulfill its obligations arising from its membership in the Council of Europe, the deteriorating situation of human rights in the country, including the imprisonment of journalists, and the failure to invite the Assembly to observe the early presidential elections. The refusal to cooperate was also based on military operations in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Azerbaijani delegation had stated that these events were part of a biased campaign aimed at restoring the country’s territorial integrity.

A resolution calling for Azerbaijan's expulsion from the Assembly had been supported by 76 PACE deputies. Shortly before the early parliamentary elections held in September last year, on August 25, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs had blacklisted those deputies as "undesirable persons." PACE’s observation mission was not invited to monitor the elections.

This year’s PACE resolution mainly related with Georgia also contained criticisms directed at Azerbaijan, alongside concerns about ongoing pressures on political and civil society activists, media representatives, and other government critics. The Assembly expressed its concern and called on Azerbaijani authorities to end the harassment and immediately release all those imprisoned on politically motivated charges.

The document also notes that the government must amend the "Political Parties", "Media" laws, and relevant legislation regarding NGOs in accordance with the recommendations of the Venice Commission. Furthermore, cooperation with the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment should be restored without delay.

The Azerbaijani delegation did not participate in the PACE winter session. The head of the German delegation to PACE, deputy Frank Schwaben, did not delay his response to this.

"Due to Azerbaijan's complete disregard for the values and rules of the Council of Europe, it is accepted that the Azerbaijani delegation cannot be present in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and no delegation is sent to Strasbourg for accreditation," wrote Frank Schwabe on his "X" account.

Unlike PACE, the position of the Council of Europe regarding Azerbaijan differs. Luxembourg's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Xavier Bettel, called on both PACE and the Azerbaijani government, stating that dialogue must be restored.

Compared to Azerbaijan and Georgia, criticisms directed at Armenia are relatively few. The resolution notes that despite the serious security challenges faced by Armenia, the government's continuous efforts toward democratic development are highly valued.

The resolution praises the inclusivity and transparency demonstrated during the reform of Armenia's Electoral Code, emphasizing that the goal of holding genuinely democratic elections, which earned the trust of the Armenian people, has largely been achieved.

At the same time, the Assembly expresses regret over the country's excessively polarized and confrontational political environment and calls on all interested parties to improve relations between the parliamentary majority and the opposition.