Russian FM calls Georgian journalists in Geneva ‘sick’
Georgian journalists say that they were insulted by Russian FM Sergey Lavrov. Photo: AP.
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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has called Georgian journalists in Geneva ‘sick’ who were trying to receive an answer from Lavrov as to whether he will come to the CoE ministerial in Tbilisi in May later this year.
You are sick, girls! “ Lavrov told journalists of Imedi TV and the Georgian Public Broadcaster.
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova wrote on Facebook that the journalists ‘attacked’ the Rusian delegation.
The video has been released by the Georgian Public Broadcaster.
She said that Georgian journalists were shouting and pushing their way to Lavrov.
I had to push back the women who had lost all their dignity in order to go forward. And you know what they wanted? It is impossible to believe! Just an answer to one question: whether Lavrov will come to Tbilisi... This is already some kind of clouding of mind, ,” Zakharova wrote, adding that ‘boss’ wasn’t injured.
Zakharova also wrote that when Georgian journalists were asking the question in Russian, ‘they shouted - don’t touch me! in English’.
The style of Saakashvili [the third President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili] falling to the ground under the shelling of Russian aircraft [during the Russia-Georgia 2008 war],” she said.
Georgia is scheduled to host the CoE ministerial in Tbilisi in May 2020 as the CoE chair country which might be attended by the Russian officials who had violated the law on the occupied territories - visited the two Russian occupied regions of Georgia Abkhazia and Tskhinvali without any consent from Tbilisi.
The Georgian opposition strongly opposes Russia’s participation in the ministerial, stating that the delegation from the country may include Lavrov, or other Russian officials who had violated the law.
Georgian state officials say that the country will adhere to its international obligations and will make a decision regarding the ministerial through the consultations with international partners.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Archil Talakvadze has responded to Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, stating that if her words that ‘Russia takes Georgia as a sovereign country’ are not empty, ‘withdraw your troops from Georgian territory.’ Zakharova earlier spoke about the upcoming CoE ministerial in Tbilisi and the recent turmoil around the possible visit of Russian officials to Georgia during the event, stating that ‘visits of foreign officials must not be a problem for any sovereign state’.
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova says that the visits of foreign officials must not be a problem for any sovereign state, responding to the recent turmoil over the CoE ministerial scheduled in Tbilisi for May.
Former Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Gregori Karasin says that a Russian delegation will attend the CoE ministerial in Tbilisi in May 2020, which Georgia will be hosting as the Council of Europe chair.
Several Georgian NGOs and the parliamentary opposition have criticised Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili for her statement made at PACE yesterday, where she said that Georgia is likely to allow a Russian delegation, including Russian FM Sergey Lavrov, into Georgia during the CoE ministerial in Tbilisi in May 2020.
Strasbourg will host the Council of Europe ministerial in May this year instead of Tbilisi, which Georgia was meant to have hosted as the CoE chair country, Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani confirmed earlier today. The location was changed due to the possible visit of Russian delegates to Tbilisi for the ministerial who have violated the Georgian law on the occupied territories.
Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani has stated that as the head of the CoE Council of Ministers he is ‘disappointed’ Georgia missed an ‘unique opportunity’ to host delegates from 47 member states of the Council of Europe in May later this year. He said that the decision for the CoE ministerial to be held in Strasbourg instead of Tbilisi has been made ‘because of state interests,’ to avoid any possible tension in the country caused by the visit of the Russian delegation during the international occasion.