MP: “Georgian diplomats should not resemble Churkin- opposition”
By Tea Mariamidze
Wednesday, August 6
Zurab Japaridze, a member of the United National Movement, who was invited instead of Davit Bakaradze to the Ambassadorial on August 5, criticized Georgian diplomats for their “incorrect attitudes” regarding the main opposition party in the country. Prior to the start of the Ambassadorial session, Japaridze said that Georgian diplomats should not act “like Russia’s Ambassador to the UN Vitaly Churkin.”
The Tbilisi Ambassadorial, where Georgian diplomats, invited guests and high-ranking officials are set to discuss important state issues, kicked-off on August 4 and will conclude on August 7.
Japaridze admitted that the diplomats’ duty is not just to inform the international community about Georgian issues. “Their duty is also to inform the Georgian government about the critical statements that are being made by various foreign countries concerning the current developments in the country,” Japaridze said.
The MP stated that all the activities carried out by the current government should not be accepted and justified by Georgian diplomats.
“Thus, Georgian diplomats should not act like Vitally Chrkin,” Japaridze said.
Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze stated that through the statement Japaridze offended Georgia’s diplomatic corps.
Panjikidze stressed that the diplomatic corps is totally apolitical.
“Our August 5 panel was dedicated to the country strategy and the various reforms being carried out in the country. We invited Davit Bakradze to the meeting. However, he is not in Georgia and Mister Japaridze came instead. He made very unconstructive statements regarding the reforms during the panel and was responded to by the ambassadors. We received the information about his statement regarding the diplomats only during the meeting and told him to define it. He denied making such a statement,” Panjikidze said.
After the meeting Japaridze said that his words were wrongly interpreted.
“I said that it is important that ambassadors get information about the ongoing issues in the country from the opposition, as well for them not to become similar to Churkin. I confirm that I said that ambassadors should not resemble Churkin,” Japaridze said.
