Georgia’s ruling party official: very unfortunate tradition of secret meetings between foreign diplomats and members of radical opposition continues

Levan Machavariani, the First Deputy Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream parliamentary faction, said on Tuesday that a “very unfortunate tradition” of secret meetings between foreign diplomats and members of the radical opposition was continuing.

Machavariani made the remarks after Zurab Japaridze and Nika Gvaramia held a secret meeting with Lise Synnøve Nordgaard, Norway’s Ambassador to Georgia.

“A very unfortunate tradition, which was initiated by Mr. Fischer, is continuing. We remember his secret meetings with the agent opposition, particularly with its most radical figures. In this case, Zurab Japaridze and Nika Gvaramia, who are distinguished by their radicalism, are holding a secret meeting with the Norwegian ambassador, which raises many questions”, Machavariani said.

According to Machavariani, Japaridze and Gvaramia have repeatedly been at the forefront of what he described as radicalisation and revolutionary scenarios in Georgia in recent years.

“These two actors have often been at the very forefront of the radicalisation and revolutionary scenarios that we have witnessed in Georgia over the past several years. Therefore, it would be highly appropriate for the ambassador to provide an explanation regarding this meeting as soon as possible”, he concluded.