Georgian PM: European embassies fuelling radicalism in Georgia, damaging EU image

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Wednesday accused several European embassies of directly engaging with radicals in the country, warning that such actions harm the image of European bureaucracy.

Commenting on a recent meeting at the British Embassy involving opposition figures Giga Bokeria and Gia Baramidze, Kobakhidze stressed that the Embassy involvement in politically radical activities was both inappropriate and detrimental to international relations.

“This greatly harms the image of the European Union and European countries in Georgia. Moreover, when you meet with parties in connection with elections that are not participating in the elections at all, it is even more incomprehensible. It is very bad when specific ambassadors and embassies encourage radicalism in Georgia”, Kobakhidze said.

The Prime Minister noted that interactions between European diplomatic missions and radical opposition actors send a negative message to Georgian society and undermine the reputation of the European Union.

“The public observes this, evaluates it, and all of this has a very negative impact on the image of European countries and European bureaucracy in Georgia”, he concluded.

British Ambassador to Georgia Gareth Ward on Wednesday refused to comment on a reported meeting with opposition figures Gia Baramidze and Giga Bokeria held at the British Embassy.

The meeting, recorded by Imedi TV, reportedly involved discussions about the opposition’s planned rally on October 4.