Prepared by Messenger Staff
German Ambassador Warns That Political Intolerance Undermines Georgia's EU Aspirations
German Ambassador to Georgia, Peter Fischer, has responded to criticism from Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili by warning that growing political hostility in the country contradicts democratic values and risks turning Georgia's goal of joining the European Union by 2030 into an illusion.
Earlier in the day, Speaker Papuashvili commented on the ambassador's visit to two politicians on hunger strike outside Parliament. "Everyone who visits the hunger strikers and does not advise them to stop self-harm is aiding suicide," Papuashvili said. "This also applies to the Germans."
In response, Ambassador Fischer published a statement on his official X account, defending his visit and criticizing the current political environment.
"It is human empathy to talk with politicians on hunger strike," Fischer wrote. "The environment of 'if you are not with us, you are our enemy' is being promoted. This mentality directly contradicts democracy and turns the idea of 'joining the EU by 2030' into an illusion."
Fischer had visited Elene Khoshtaria and Gedevan Popkhadze, two public figures currently on hunger strike near the Parliament building. Khoshtaria is a leader in the opposition coalition, while Popkhadze is a former member of the ruling Georgian Dream party.
Parliament Commission Summons Detained Politicians for Foreign Policy Probe
The Georgian Parliament's Temporary Investigative Commission has summoned several individuals, including detained politicians, to its next session scheduled for June 30 at 10:00 a.m. The session will examine actions by certain politicians from 2012 to 2025 that are alleged to have harmed Georgia's foreign policy interests.
According to the Commission's statement, former officials Viktor Dolidze and Konstantine Zhgenti have been called to appear. Participation from the penitentiary is also planned for detained politicians Giorgi Vashadze, Nika Gvaramia, and Mamuka Khazaradze.
Gvaramia, Khazaradze, and Vashadze have submitted written refusals to take part in the proceedings.
"The session will address the issue of actions by certain politicians from 2012 to 2025 that have harmed Georgia's foreign policy interests," the official statement reads.
