The Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, has issued a sharp response to a statement made yesterday by the German Ambassador to Georgia, Peter Fischer. According to Papuashvili, the diplomat “has problems not only with the Vienna Convention but also with courtesy,” and Georgian society is “eagerly waiting” for him to leave the country.
Papuashvili stated that he considers the current situation to be a serious blow to Georgian-German relations.
“It is very sad to observe what one person has done to Georgian-German relations. He has only a few weeks left in Georgia. We expect him to leave the country, and for this episode to remain in the past,” the Speaker of Parliament said.
The statement came in response to remarks made by Peter Fischer on May 9. At the time, the German diplomat rejected allegations that the European Union was purportedly damaging relations with Georgia, emphasizing that “Georgian citizens understand this well.”
Fischer also stated that he was concerned by Shalva Papuashvili’s remarks.
“Either he truly does not understand what Europe means, or he is pretending not to understand. Neither of these options is good,” the Ambassador noted.
According to the diplomat, the European Union does not need “lectures” on European values.
“I always recommend that the Georgian people read the EU treaties. They clearly state what our values and principles are. We are based on unity and diversity; we are a space of peace, freedom, and prosperity. Georgians are welcome friends and partners for Europe,” Peter Fischer stated.
