Georgian PM denounces German Ambassador’s statement on EU accession talks

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Thursday criticised a statement by Peter Fischer, the German Ambassador to the country, who on Wednesday said his Government would not support opening European Union accession talks with Georgia as long as the newly adopted controversial Georgian law on transparency of foreign influence remained in force.

In his response, Kobakhidze said he “cannot attach much importance” to the Ambassador’s statement, alleging the diplomat was “involved in the election campaign” of the domestic opposition Lelo party ahead of the parliamentary elections in October.

On the backdrop of such frivolous actions, I cannot attach much importance to this person's statement”, the PM said, adding Germany, which he said had “traditionally been distinguished as a responsible” state, “should not send such ambassadors to a country like Georgia”.

He added an “ambassador who makes anti-Georgian statements will not be valuable to us”, and said he hoped the statement was a reflection of a “personal position of the Ambassador who supports Lelo”.