Georgian Parliament official: unanswered questions show Germany hiding something about its Ambassador

Levan Makhashvili, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Committee on European Integration, on Friday said the public continues to see many unanswered questions, which, in his view, suggests that Germany and its Embassy have “something to hide” regarding the activities of Peter Fischer, Germany’s Ambassador to the country.

Makhashvili's comments came after the German Government had confirmed funding for certain non-governmental organisations operating in Georgia, yet declined to specify which organisations receive the support.

“For years, the public has seen that German taxpayers’ money has been circulating in Georgia, often through questionable or illegal means. To this day, neither German nor Georgian authorities officially know how exactly this money was spent — and, most importantly, where the German ambassador’s interests lay”, the Parliament officials said.

“How is German taxpayers’ money being spent in Georgia? The German Government appears to be withholding this information not only from the Georgian public but also from its own citizens”, he concluded.

The German Government has admitted to providing financial support to non-governmental organisations in Georgia but declined to reveal their identities.

The disclosure came in response to parliamentary questions from the opposition Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.

In written answers to nine detailed questions submitted by AfD lawmakers, the German Government confirmed ongoing funding for Georgian civil society groups through GIZ (German Agency for International Cooperation) and other channels.