FM Zalkaliani on clash between political leaders: foreign diplomats must fairly assess events
The ruling party criticised Ambassador Hartzell’s statement and noted that it was a ‘mild’ assessment of the event and not an ‘objective’ one. Photo: David Zalkaliani/Twitter.
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Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani has stated earlier today that the country’s foreign partners and diplomats ‘must be fair in their assessment of events’ following EU Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell’s response to a recent clash between the ruling party and opposition leaders.
Ambassador Hartzell urged ‘all sides to exercise restraint’ ahead of the municipal elections in response to the confrontation between the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party head Irakli Kobakhidze and the United National Movement (UNM) party leader Nika Melia which took place on September 23 after the ruling party finished its meeting with foreign ambassadors.
Minister Zalkaliani stated that EU Ambassador Hartzell along with other foreign diplomats should be precise in their responses to the events, noting that ‘everything should be called by its name.’
When it comes to the fact that one side goes to provocation, it must be said that this side did not act properly in this case,” Zalkaliani said.
Ambassador Hartzell along with other foreign diplomats held separate meetings with the ruling party and various opposition party representatives on September 23 regarding the ‘ongoing electoral process’ in the run up to the local elections.
The incident between the political leaders took place when the meeting with the ruling party was finished. Nika Melia approached Irakli Kobakhidze who was being interviewed by the journalists regarding the assembly after which both politicians verbally insulted each other which lead to physical tension.
Melia called Kobakhidze ‘Bidzina Ivanishvili’s (founder of the GD) slave’ while Kobakhidze responded to Melia by calling him an ‘unintelligent scoundrel.’
Ambassador Hartzell welcomed Kobakhidze’s action who apologised soon after the incident happened and noted that ‘it was difficult to endure provocation and insults.’
However, the ruling party criticised Ambassador Hartzell’s statement and noted that it was a ‘mild’ assessment of the event and not an ‘objective’ one.