President Margvelashvili finds ex-PM’s criticism “painful”

The President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili says its "painful” to comprehend criticism by ex-Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, as the ex-leader’s opinion matters to him.

This afternoon Margvelashvili responded to Ivanishvili’s comments made on Imedi TV where he said he was disappointed in the President.

In his responding statement, Margvelashvili avoided detailed explanations about certain topic, saying it was a personal relationship of two people and he did not want it made public.

Although Margvelashvili did say there were some issues he and Ivanishvili could not agree on.

"There have been intensive discussions between us but I am not going to elaborate on the topics of the discussion because this is a personal relationship between me and Bidzina and this is not a relationship open to the media. His remarks and assessments are painful and important to me,” he said.

The ex-PM criticized Margvelashvili, who he had named as a presidential candidate, for "changing his character".

During his interview with Imedi TV Ivanishvili said he was "surprised” to learn of these changes and "disappointed” in Margvelashvili.

"It appears he has a principally different character than he used to have before,” Ivanishvili said adding that the two no longer had close personal relations.