Georgian PM slams EU ambassador remarks, says comments amount to ‘threats’

Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has criticised remarks attributed to the EU ambassador to Georgia, saying they amounted to threats against the Georgian public.

Speaking to journalists on Thursday, Kobakhidze said it was “unimaginable” for the EU ambassador to Georgia to warn the population of possible civil conflict and impoverishment.

“When the EU ambassador threatens the Georgian people with civil war and impoverishment, it is simply unimaginable,” he said. “It is impossible to even assess this. I would once again emphasise that the ambassador is, unfortunately, in a tragic situation when he has to come out with such threats against the Georgian people.”

He added that the remarks reflected a “difficult position” for the ambassador and said this “speaks for itself” regarding the situation.

Speaking in Brussels this week at a photo exhibition titled Georgia in Focus, Herczynski said the coming weeks and months would determine whether Georgia continues towards European integration or risks “returning to a darker past” marked by instability and hardship.

“Georgia is at a crossroads. Its future has not yet been written, but what is decided in the coming weeks and months will determine whether it belongs to the European family, based on democracy, rule of law and human rights, or, unfortunately, returns to its dark past,” he said.

The ambassador also expressed concern over recently adopted laws restricting media outlets from receiving funding from partner countries, adding that the EU would continue to support Georgian society within the limits of the legal framework.