Georgia’s former ambassadors and diplomats accused the authorities on Friday of “being unprepared” for the “historic moment” for EU integration, and “hampering the activities” of professional diplomats to promote Georgia’s interests.

Former Deputy Foreign Minister of Georgia and the country’s former Ambassador to Denmark, Gigi Gigiadze, suggested that instead of lobbying for Georgian interests ahead of the EU’s decision on Georgia’s candidate status, the government and the ruling party officials were engaged with anti-Western rhetoric.

“Unfortunately, the government has also consistently neutralized Georgian diplomacy and prevented professional Georgian diplomats from fulfilling their main task - to ensure the best results for our country in the current reality,” said the former diplomats.

They encouraged other Georgian diplomats, “who believe that Georgia’s European future matter,” joined the statement.