Georgian ambassador to Ukraine recalled to Tbilisi as ex-President Saakashvili appointed to post in Ukraine
The Georgian Foreign Ministry says that Mikheil Saakashvili’s appointment to any post in Ukraine causes questions. Photo: Ukrainian Foreign Ministry press office.
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Georgian Ambassador to Ukraine Teimuraz Sharashenidze has been recalled to Tbilisi for consultations as the former President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, who faces several convictions in Georgia, has been appointed chair of the executive committee of the Ukrainian National Reforms Council.
Georgian Foreign Ministry says that Saakashvili’s appointment to the council will not lead to the suspension of diplomatic relations with Ukraine or cause any threats to the strategic partnership.
However the appointment of a man who was convicted in Georgia and is wanted by Georgian law enforcers by a strategic partner causes questions. That is why with the involvement of the ambassador, we should figure out what should be done in this situation not to affect bilateral relations,” the Georgian Foreign Ministry said.
The ministry stated that the appointment of Saakashvili to the reforms council and not as vice PM of Ukraine, as was initially considered, points at the ‘sceptical attitude’ to Saakashvili by the Ukrainian political spectrum and parliament.
At the same time, we believe that the Georgian attitude, as a strategic partner, was also taken into account (when Saakashvili’s candidacy was withdrawn as vice PM for reforms in Ukraine),” said the ministry.
Saakashvili served as Georgia’s third president from 2004 to 2007 and again from 2008 to 2013.He is accused of the violent dispersal of anti-government mass protests on November 7, 2007; unlawful raiding of Imedi television company by riot police and the illegal takeover of property. Photo: Reuters.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree yesterday to appoint Saakashvili as the chair of the executive committee of the Ukrainian National Reforms Council.
Zelensky expressed hope that Saakashvili will ‘’give impetus’ to the council and help make ‘important changes' in Ukraine.”
Initially, Saakashvili was offered the post of vice PM of Ukraine for reforms. However, his candidacy was later withdrawn.
The possibility of appointing Saakashvili in Ukrainian government immediately caused dissatisfaction in official Tbilisi.
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, President Salome Zurabishvili and Parliament Speaker Archil Talakvadze said that Saakashvili’s appointment in the Ukrainain government would be ‘absolutely unacceptable.’
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a decree appointing Georgian ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili as the chair of the executive committee of the Ukrainian National Reforms Council. Zelensky hoped Saakashvili will ‘’give impetus’ to his National Reform Council and help make ‘important changes' in Ukraine
Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili will be appointed as the secretary of the executive committee of Ukraine’s National Council for Reforms, Ukrainian media outlet Censor.net reported earlier today.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili says that the possible appointment of Georgia’s former president, Mikheil Saakashvili, to any post in Ukraine ‘is both incomprehensible and unacceptable.’
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President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, who has appointed former President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili chair of the executive committee of the Ukrainian National Reforms Council, says that Saakashvili is now a Ukrainian citizen and the decision is the internal issue of the country.
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia stated today that ‘the strategic partnership’ between Georgia and Ukraine will not be put under a question mark due to ‘certain irresponsible politicians’. Giorgi Gakharia made the remarks amid the former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili’s recent appointment as the chair of the executive committee of the Ukrainian National Reforms Council.
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The Georgian Ambassador to Ukraine Teimuraz Sharashenidze came to the Georgian Foreign Ministry for consultations earlier today due to the appointment of Georgia’s convicted ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili as chair of the executive committee of the Ukrainian National Reforms Council.
Georgian Ambassador to Ukraine Teimuraz Sharashenidze, who was recalled to Tbilisi last year after former President Mikheil Saakashvili became chair of the executive committee of the Ukrainian National Reforms Council, will return to Kyiv.
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