Georgian Education Minister says President's statement on Chinese leader “unacceptable”
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. Photo: Government Administration
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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.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday told Zhou Qian, the Chinese Ambassador to Georgia, that comments by the Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, who on Saturday said seeing the Russian and Chinese leaders put on trial would be a “historic outcome”, were “categorically unacceptable and disturbing”.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday announced visa-free travel to the country for Chinese citizens, citing attracting visitors and mutual economic investments among “main interests” behind the decision.
Georgian Education Minister Giorgi Amilakhvari on Monday said Georgian and Chinese universities would develop joint programmes and offer student exchange as part of the new partnership announced between the two governments this week.
Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili on Monday said his country’s relations with China had entered a “new phase of cooperation” through the establishment of a strategic partnership between them.
Georgian and Chinese Governments on Monday shared their “commitment” to expand cooperation in political, economic and cultural fields, strengthen collaboration in international affairs and bilateral relations, and safeguard regional and world peace, stability and development together in a joint statement on establishing a strategic partnership.
The new strategic partnership between Georgia and China will give a new “important impetus” to their bilateral relations, Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili said on Friday in his remarks over Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili’s ongoing visit to the country.
Shalva Papuashvili, the Georgian Parliament Speaker, 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 “damaging”, “ignored citizen’s interests” and “created embarrassment”.
Mamuka Mdinaradze, the Executive Secretary of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Monday criticised “damaging” statements by the Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, who on Saturday said seeing the Chinese leader put on trial would be a “historic outcome”.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Tuesday claimed President Salome Zourabichvili was “trying to somehow damage the country’s interests” after the latter on Saturday said in an interview seeing the Chinese leader put on trial would be a “historic outcome”.