Grigol Gegelia, a member of the opposition party "Lelo – Strong Georgia," sharply criticized Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze following his statement about the possible "summoning" of the EU ambassador.
According to Gegelia, the head of government is demonstrating a hostile tone toward diplomats from partner countries.
"Irakli Kobakhidze constantly lectures the ambassadors of all our friendly and partner countries and wag his finger at them, which once again confirms that he is a pro-Russian politician and serves Russian national interests," he stated.
The opposition leader also held the prime minister responsible for domestic tensions in the country, accusing the authorities of deepening divisions in society and ignoring Georgia's European course. He believes that instead of criticizing Western partners, the government should question the diplomats of those countries whose actions, he believes, pose real risks.
"Today, if anyone threatens Georgia with conflict and impoverishment, it is, first and foremost, Kobakhidze and his administration, who have done everything to pit Georgians against each other and sow discord. They have impoverished our people and done nothing to realize the country's potential and its European aspirations. Therefore, I would advise him to look in the mirror and, instead of summoning the ambassadors of the European Union and other European countries, have the courage to summon the ambassador of Iran, who has spoken to us in a very dangerous language of threats, summon the ambassador of Hungary and ask him how it came about that a Russian spy worked in the Hungarian diplomatic service and was here for four years, and it is unknown whether he also conducted intelligence activities for Russia. We see that Kobakhidze never summons the ambassadors who really should be asked specific questions in the interests of the Georgian people. "But he constantly lectures and points the finger at all the ambassadors of our friends and partners, which once again confirms that Irakli Kobakhidze serves Russian, not Georgian, national interests," Gegelia stated.
The controversy erupted over Kobakhidze's comments about the words of the head of the EU Delegation to Georgia, Pavel Gerchinsky. The prime minister criticized the diplomat for mentioning the risks of destabilization in the country.
"When the EU ambassador threatens the Georgian people with civil war and impoverishment, it is simply unthinkable," Kobakhidze told reporters, commenting on Gerchinsky's remarks, who had previously expressed hope that Georgia would not return to the times of "civil war and poverty."
