German Ambassador: importance of Middle Corridor should not be exaggerated

Peter Fischer, the German Ambassador to Georgia, said the importance of the Middle Corridor should not be exaggerated and that Germany will not ignore human rights violations in Georgia because of the transit route.

Fischer made the remarks in response to a journalist’s question about whether the European Union could overlook certain actions by the Georgian government on the grounds that Georgia is strategically important for the EU due to its transit location and connectivity role. The question also asked whether the EU might sideline concerns over human rights violations and democratic backsliding in favor of transit interests.

“It is important not to exaggerate the significance of the Middle Corridor. Ultimately, our interests are best protected when our values are upheld. The answer is no. Transit and connectivity are important, but not important enough for Germany to trade its values for a few kilometers of highway or the transportation of several containers”, Fischer said in an interview with Batumelebi.