Georgian Parliament Speaker accuses German Ambassador of “un-European behaviour” over criticism
Shalva Papuashvili
Photo: Parliament of Georgia
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Friday responded to the statement made by the German Ambassador, noting that labeling criticism as “speaking poorly” reflects Soviet, not European thinking.
In a social media message, Papuashvili emphasised that the German Ambassador should refrain from targeting representatives elected by the Georgian people.
“Europe implies openness to criticism, not the suppression of critical thought. The fact that the European Union is large and we seek membership does not grant anyone the right to prohibit us from criticising what deserves criticism”, he said.
“Periodic attacks by the German Ambassador on the representatives elected by the Georgian people, provoked by irritation at legitimate criticism, are deeply non-European in both nature and form. It is important that such attacks come to an end,”, the Speaker concluded.
All News
19 June 2026, 21:57
Politics
Georgian FM: remarks on selective suspension of visa liberalisation directed against Georgia’s interests, society
Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili on Friday criticised recent discussions in the European Parliament regarding the selective suspension of visa liberalisation, stating that such statements were politically motivated and harmful to both Georgian society and state interests.
19 June 2026, 21:55
Politics
Tajik President: agreements with Georgia lay foundation for strategic cooperation
Tajik President Emomali Rahmon on Friday said that the outcomes of his meeting with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze would strengthen bilateral relations and lay the groundwork for deeper strategic cooperation between the two countries.
19 June 2026, 21:53
Politics
Georgia’s ruling party Sec Gen: Georgia ready for dialogue with EU, but “speaking from above” unacceptable
Kakha Kaladze, the Mayor of Tbilisi and Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Friday said that Georgia remains open to dialogue with the European Union, but stressed that what he described as a condescending approach toward the country was unacceptable.
19 June 2026, 18:41
Politics
Georgian PM, Tajik President discuss cooperation, importance of enhancing connectivity
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday held a meeting with the President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, during which the sides discussed bilateral cooperation and prospects for strengthening relations between the two countries.
19 June 2026, 18:17
Politics
Georgia, Tajikistan strengthen partnership as Prime Ministers hold talks in Dushanbe
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday held a meeting with his Tajik counterpart Qohir Rasulzoda, as part of his official visit to Dushanbe. During the one-on-one talks, the two leaders highlighted the special significance of the Georgian Prime Minister’s official visit to Tajikistan, describing it as a landmark event in bilateral relations.
19 June 2026, 16:15
Foreign policy
Georgia’s ruling party official: all EU candidate countries, including Georgia, should join union that respects dignity and sovereignty of its member states
Irakli Kirtskhalia, the Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party faction in the legislative body, on Friday said all EU candidate countries, including Georgia, should join a union that respects the dignity and sovereignty of its member states.
19 June 2026, 15:46
Politics
“This resolution has Rasa Juknevičienė’s price tag” - Georgia’s ruling party official slams European Parliament’s resolution as ‘built on fabricated facts and falsehoods’
Irakli Kirtskhalia, the leader of the parliamentary majority and Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party faction, on Friday sharply criticised the latest resolution adopted by the European Parliament, claiming that it “has the price tag of” MEP Rasa Juknevičienė and is filled with falsehoods.
19 June 2026, 15:02
Justice
Tbilisi City Court sentences seven in October 4 case
Tbilisi City Court Judge Giorgi Gelashvili on Friday sentenced seven defendants in the October 4 case to prison terms for their involvement in the attempted seizure and blockade of a strategic facility, as well as participation in group violence.
19 June 2026, 12:58
Economy
Georgia’s economy grows 9% in Q1 2026
Georgia’s National Statistics Office on Friday reported that the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) at current prices amounted to ₾ 24.77 billion ($9.31 billion) in the first quarter of 2026, while real GDP growth reached 9.0 % compared to the same period of the previous year. The GDP deflator increased by 2.3 % during the reporting period.
19 June 2026, 12:07
Foreign policy
Georgian Prime Minister embarks on official visit to Tajikistan
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday embarked on an official visit to Tajikistan.
19 June 2026, 12:04
Foreign policy
Georgian FM: high-level visits strengthen partnership between Georgia and Central Asia
Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili on Friday assessed Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s visit to Tajikistan, describing it as an important step in deepening relations between the two countries.
18 June 2026, 22:01
Foreign policy
Georgian Parliament official on European Parliament report: dividing Georgian citizens into categories “complete absurdity”
Nikoloz Samkharadze, the Chair of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Parliament of Georgia, on Thursday responded to the European Parliament’s resolution on Georgia, saying it was unacceptable to give different visa privileges to certain groups of citizens.
18 June 2026, 21:59
Foreign policy
Georgian FM: European Parliament resolution contains manipulative and false claims aimed at political pressure on Georgia
Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili on Thursday dismissed the European Parliament’s resolution on Georgia, saying the document contains manipulative and inaccurate statements aimed at exerting political pressure on the country.
18 June 2026, 21:08
Foreign policy
Georgian FM accuses MEPs of fueling divisions in Georgia
Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili on Thursday criticised members of the European Parliament, accusing them of contributing to divisions within Georgian society while publicly calling for depolarisation.
18 June 2026, 21:03
Foreign policy
Georgian Parliament official: European Parliament resolution aims to divide Georgian society
Levan Makhashvili, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Committee on European Integration, on Thursday criticised a recent European Parliament resolution, describing it as an attempt to divide Georgian society and pit different groups against one another.
18 June 2026, 20:41
Foreign policy
Georgia’s ruling party official: visa liberalisation the last bullet in Brussels’ pressure mechanism
Levan Machavariani, the First Deputy Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party faction in the legislative body, on Tuesday said the issue of visa liberalisation remained the “last bullet” in what he described as Brussels’ mechanism of pressure against Georgia, expressing doubt that European officials would choose to use it.
18 June 2026, 17:03
Politics
Georgian Parliament official: Georgia presented concerns to Belgium over sanctions, internal affairs, elections
The Georgian parliamentary delegation currently visiting Brussels held a meeting at the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss bilateral relations and the current state of Georgia-EU ties.
18 June 2026, 15:20
Politics
Georgian FM: Brussels has not clarified how Georgian laws contradict EU standards
Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili on Wednesday said that during recent discussions in Brussels, the Georgian delegation was able to present its positions in a constructive environment and once again emphasiსe to the European Union that it is unacceptable for legitimately adopted Georgian laws to become subjects of political debate without clear explanations of how they allegedly contradict EU principles.
18 June 2026, 13:59
Politics
Georgian FM: European Parliament resolutions on Georgia built on lies, false narratives, aimed at damaging country’s interests and reputation
Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili on Wednesday criticised recent European Parliament resolutions and statements concerning Georgia, describing them as documents built on “false narratives” and aimed at damaging the country’s interests and reputation.
18 June 2026, 12:38
Politics
Georgian FM says new EU enlargement rules raise questions how ready EU is to accept new members
Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili on Wednesday reviewed new rules of EU enlargement policy, questioning how ready the EU itself was to accept new member states, especially against the backdrop of the fact that the issue of enlargement had become an important part of European security and geopolitical processes.