Georgian Parliament Speaker criticises German Ambassador for ‘overstepping’ diplomatic role

Georgian Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Monday criticised Peter Fischer, the German ambassador to Georgia, accusing him of overstepping his diplomatic role and attempting to speak on behalf of the European Union’s ambassador.

Speaking to journalists, Papuashvili said Fischer “allowed himself to speak instead of the EU ambassador”, suggesting that the German envoy may believe he has more authority to comment on EU matters than Paweł Herczyński, the EU’s representative.

“Mr. Peter allows himself to speak on behalf of the EU ambassador. I don’t know, perhaps he thinks that he, as Germany’s ambassador, has more to say than the EU ambassador. But if Mr. Herczyński had anything to say, it would not be difficult for him to say it himself”, the speaker noted.

He further added that the German ambassador made his first mistake when he commented on the EU’s 20th sanctions package, emphasising that the European Union already has its own ambassador in Georgia and does not need additional commentary from Germany or other countries.

Papuashvili also claimed that Fischer’s remarks reflected what he described as “malicious joy” over potential negative developments in Georgia.

“You could read this malicious joy in Mr. Peter’s statement and on his face - as if saying, ‘Georgians, now see what will happen to your port’”, Papuashvili said, adding that the ambassador appeared pleased at the prospect of negative developments in the country.

The speaker also disputed Fischer’s claim that evidence had been presented regarding sanctions violations. Papuashvili questioned whether the ambassador had personally seen such evidence.

“Has he seen this evidence himself? He doesn’t need to show it to us - just say whether he has seen it or not. Of course he has not, because no evidence exists that any sanctions violations occurred on Georgian territory”, Papuashvili said.

In addition, Papuashvili criticised Fischer for discussing sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom, suggesting that the ambassador was also speaking on behalf of the British side.

“It seems Mr. Peter has imagined himself the British ambassador as well when he speaks about sanctions”, Papuashvili said.

He urged the German envoy to stop labeling and stigmatizing people, particularly members of the media.

“Attaching such labels appears to be a habit. I would advise Mr. Peter to stop doing that. This is not what a representative of Germany should be doing - labeling and stigmatizing people”, he concluded.