Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Monday rejected as “classic manipulation” the domestic media reports that criticised Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili’s participation in the Belt and Road Forum, an event hosted in China and also involving the Russian President Vladimir Putin, as a case of the Georgian Government’s “bilateral contact” with the Russian leader.
“[The Forum] was organised by the leaders of China, attended by Georgia and, among others, representatives of 12 European Union countries”, Papuashvili said.
“Many people attended this big event, including representatives of EU member states, and presenting it as if it were a bilateral contact [of Georgian officials with Putin] is a classic example of manipulation. This is a speculation and manipulation”, the chief Georgian legislator said.
The Forum was hosted on October 18 and involved Davitashvili, who is also a Vice Prime Minister.