Foreign Ministry Summons German Ambassador, Berlin Rejects 'Baseless' Accusations
By Liza Mchedlidze
Friday, September 26, 2025
Georgia's Foreign Ministry summoned German Ambassador Peter Fischer on September 24 in what it described as a response to his alleged interference in internal affairs. The move marks the first time such a measure has been taken in bilateral relations, further straining ties between Tbilisi and Berlin.
The meeting at the ministry lasted more than ninety minutes between Ambassador Fischer and Georgian Dream First Deputy Foreign Minister Giorgi Zurabashvili, with two representatives from each side present. Georgian Dream Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili was absent, attending the UN General Assembly in New York.
In a press release, the Georgian Foreign Ministry accused Fischer of encouraging "a radical agenda" and of attempts to "politicize judicial proceedings." The ministry said the ambassador was reminded of Article 41(1) of the 1961 Vienna Convention, which requires diplomats to respect the laws of the host country and refrain from interfering in domestic affairs.
The ministry also challenged Germany to provide evidence for earlier concerns raised about hate speech and disinformation in Georgia. "It was noted that the Embassy had been formally requested to provide specific substantiation for these concerns. However, such substantiation has not, to date, been presented," the statement read, adding that such claims were seen as "yet another attempt to assault the government without any basis."
Despite the sharp tone, the Foreign Ministry insisted that Georgia remained committed to its relationship with Germany. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the hope that, in the future, the activities of diplomatic representatives will be guided by the principles of cooperation founded on mutual respect in interstate relations."
Germany rejected the accusations outright. In a statement posted on X, the German Foreign Office said, "We firmly reject the continuing aggressive rhetoric by representatives of the Georgian Dream towards the German Ambassador in Tbilisi and his baseless summons today. He represents the position of the Federal Government and acts in full compliance with the Vienna Convention."
Ambassador Fischer also weighed in, writing on X that he had "refuted in detail baseless attacks" during the meeting. He placed responsibility for what he called a "new low in German-Georgian relations" on the ruling Georgian Dream party. "I was not heard. I am not a radical. Germany remains a friend," Fischer said.
