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Germany Names Barbara Voss as New Ambassador to Georgia
Germany has designated veteran diplomat Barbara Voss as its new ambassador to Georgia, replacing Peter Fischer after a period of strained ties between Berlin and Tbilisi.
Voss has served in Germany's foreign service since 1992 and was most recently consul general in Kolkata, India. Her previous postings included Pakistan, Israel, Nigeria, Tanzania and Germany's U.N. mission in New York.
"The current tensions are placing a strain on Germany's and the EU's relations with Georgia. Nevertheless, Germany's commitment to the country's democratic and pro-European course remains unchangedly strong," Voss said, according to the German Embassy in Tbilisi.
Fischer's tenure was marked by repeated disputes with Georgia's ruling Georgian Dream party, including criticism of its policies and rhetoric toward the West. Berlin recalled him for consultations in 2025 after what it described as months of Georgian leaders "agitating" against Germany, the EU and the ambassador.
Ties were also strained by Germany's delayed acceptance of Georgian Ambassador Alexander Kartozia's credentials. He presented them to President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on July 23, 10 months after his appointment.
Georgian Dream Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili said the arrival of Voss and Kartozia's accreditation could help "bring relations between our countries back to a normal framework."
Deputy Economy Minister Says Georgia Records 30% Export Growth in July
Georgia recorded its highest monthly export figure in July, with exports reaching $792 million, a 30% increase compared with the same month last year, Georgian Dream Deputy Economy Minister Vakhtang Tsintsadze said.
Exports for the first seven months of 2026 also reached a record $4.7 billion, according to the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development.
Tsintsadze said the growth reflected an expansion of local production and stronger demand for Georgian goods abroad.
"These results once again confirm the correct policy of the Government of Georgia, which is aimed at supporting local entrepreneurship," he said.
"Local production is growing, exports are growing, which means that products manufactured in Georgia are competitive not only on the local but also on international markets," Tsintsadze added.
Foreign trade turnover also reached a record $2.495 billion in July, up 12.4% from July 2025. During January-July, total trade turnover increased 7.5% to a record $15.52 billion.
Tsintsadze said the continued growth in foreign trade was expected to support wider economic activity.
"Georgia has one of the highest economic growth rates during the first six months," he said, adding that the government expects the positive trend to continue in the coming months.
