The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, will begin an official visit to Tbilisi on 18 December. The Secretary General is accompanied by the Director General for Human Rights and the Rule of Law, and the Director General for Democracy and Human Dignity. This mission takes place in a political and social context marked by strong tensions, extreme polarisation of the political debate and acts of violence in recent weeks. The aim of the visit is to ensure the conditions for continued co-operation between the Council of Europe and Georgia, in full compliance with the Organisation's values and principles.