Georgian Education Minister says President's statement on Chinese leader “unacceptable”

Georgian Education Minister Giorgi Amilakhvari on Monday said comments by the Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, who on Saturday said seeing the Chinese leader put on trial would be a “historic outcome”, were “categorically unacceptable”.

Amilakhvari’s comments followed Zourabichvili’s remarks with France’s LCI channel, where the official said the prospect of the leaders of Russia and China facing court would “clarify certain matters”.

The Minister stressed the President's statement could “not carry any political force and have no influence” since the country’s foreign policy was implemented by the Government and “the will of citizens” through the country’s status as a parliamentary republic.

Unfortunately, in recent times, we have repeatedly seen excessive, unethical, undiplomatic statements of the president. Among them, we saw the violation of the constitution”, Amilakhvari said.

“Therefore, naturally, we are not surprised by her actions. However, I would like to point out that this statement of hers does not carry any political and legal significance”, he added.

The Minister also said he hoped the “crass statement” by the President would not damage the “right relationship” formed between Georgia and China.