“No closed negotiations” during Forum in China - Vice PM on “baseless” media reports on dialogue with Putin
To the journalist’s question over the possibility of a walkout in protest from the Forum, Davitashvili responded that it would be “a violation of diplomatic protocol and it would significantly damage the relationship between Georgia and China”. Photo via Economy Ministry
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Georgian Vice Prime Minister Levan Davitashvili on Tuesday rejected “baseless” media reports as though he had had “personal communication” with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Belt and Road Forum in China earlier this month, by saying he had not had “any kind of closed negotiations or dialogues” during the Forum.
In his comments to the media, Davitashvili said “it is not surprising” that the radical opposition was “committed to” speculating and creating scandal over the matter.
Georgia has been participating in the Forum since its establishment and like in previous years the country took part in the Forum with around 150 participant countries, as well as with the leaders of the European Union member countries and the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, Davitashvili noted.
The Minister emphasised that the Georgian delegation was invited at the reception, held on the sidelines of the Forum, by Chinese President Xi Jinping, stressing “when the host [of the forum] invites you, it is part of the diplomatic protocol to accept the invitation when we are participants of this Forum”.
The fact that we might have had some other kind of relationship or dialogue [with Russia] is just an interpretation and speculation. We followed exactly the diplomatic protocol [by attending the reception where the Russian President was also present], but at the same time we have our non-acceptance of the occupation, and we do not have any other type of relationship, additional meetings, or dialogue behind closed doors”, Davitashvili said.
To the journalist’s question over the possibility of a walkout in protest from the Forum, Davitashvili responded that it would be “a violation of diplomatic protocol and it would significantly damage the relationship between Georgia and China”.
Davitashvili also highlighted the importance of participation in the Forum this year, as Georgia and China had established a strategic partnership in July, adding China was one of the main economic partners of Georgia.