Georgian Parliament Speaker urges foreign diplomats to adhere to Vienna Convention, refrain from internal interference

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Friday expressed concerns over foreign diplomatic missions interfering in Georgia’s internal affairs. His remarks came in response to a statement by the French Ambassador to Georgia, Sheraz Gasri, who referred to individuals accused of attacking police officers as “unjustly detained prisoners” and claimed that Georgia was in a “crisis”.

In his remarks, Papuashvili highlighted the inconsistency of the French Ambassador's remarks, given the ongoing legal proceedings against political opponents in France.

“I have repeatedly addressed the statements and actions of the French Ambassador and the Embassy, noting a distinct support for radical forces in Georgia. I have urged both the French and other embassies to condemn and distance themselves from attacks on the Georgian Parliament carried out by individuals they fund. The most recent attack occurred on March 31, causing damage to the building, following similar incidents in December”, the Parliament Speaker said.

Papuashvili further referenced recent comments by the US President regarding legal processes in France, which Donald Trump described as a “witch hunt”. He pointed out the recent convictions of former French President Sarkozy and opposition leader Le Pen, arguing that, on this backdrop, the French Ambassador's claims of political pressure and censorship in Georgia are “simply unserious”.

Citing a poll by Le Figaro, he noted that 60 percent of the French citizens want President Emmanuel Macron to resign, and 50 percent demand new parliamentary elections.

Papuashvili urged diplomatic representatives to adhere to the Vienna Convention and refrain from interfering in Georgia’s internal affairs.

“I urge all ambassadors, including the French Ambassador, to remain within the bounds of the Vienna Convention, which obliges diplomatic mission representatives not to interfere in the host country's internal affairs”, Papuashvili reiterated.

He emphasised that interference in a state’s internal affairs violates international law and urged diplomats to respect Georgia's sovereignty and its people's choice.

He also warned that if Western diplomats criticise Russia for violating international law through interference in other nations, they should not engage in similar behavior.

“If they condemn Russia’s actions as violations of international law, they should not behave in the same manner by interfering in the affairs of another sovereign state. Respect for the host country and its people is the fundamental principle of diplomacy”, Papuashvili concluded.