Georgia’s Ambassador to France resigns, cites “continued pressure, harassment” as a reason

Georgia’s Ambassador to France resigns, cites “continued pressure, harassment” as a reason

The Ambassador of Georgia to France, Tea Katukia, has resigned from her position, citing "permanent pressure” from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia as the reason in a statement released on Friday. 

She said she applied for resignation to the Ministry on May 1, which came into play on July 1. 

"My decision to resign was preceded by permanent pressure from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on me from the first day of my appointment to the position of ambassador.

“Considering that I have spent the last 25 years in France and I have French citizenship, I did not think that my professional career abroad and my political impartiality would be unacceptable to the Georgian government,” Katukia said.

She claimed that from the first days in the role, she had witnessed “a number of serious violations and structural malfunctions in the embassy, ​​which significantly harmed the interests and image of the Georgian representation in France.” 

“ I could never have imagined that I would have to perform the function in the context of constant abuse, slander, pressure, harassment and threats, which originates from deep-rooted clan and clientelistic practices in the system, contradicting the values ​​I uphold and the goals and aspirations I have for Georgia,” she said. 

Katukia stated that she “deeply believed” that the above actions, “which are unacceptable for a legal state, do not reflect the reality of Georgian society.” 

“The aspirations of our society are based on the values ​​of freedom and justice - those values ​​which are fundamental and indivisible for every citizen of Georgia, and which oblige us to be united and responsible," wrote Katukia.

She suggested that the diplomatic service of Georgia was facing “significant staffing and structural problems”, which prevented the effective foreign policy of the country.

Katukia was appointed as the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Georgia to France and the Permanent Representative to UNESCO in 2019.

The Foreign Ministry has not responded to the allegations so far.



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The Ambassador of Georgia to France, Tea Katukia, has resigned from her position, citing "permanent pressure” from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia as the reason in a statement released on Friday. 

She said she applied for resignation to the Ministry on May 1, which came into play on July 1. 

"My decision to resign was preceded by permanent pressure from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on me from the first day of my appointment to the position of ambassador.

“Considering that I have spent the last 25 years in France and I have French citizenship, I did not think that my professional career abroad and my political impartiality would be unacceptable to the Georgian government,” Katukia said.

She claimed that from the first days in the role, she had witnessed “a number of serious violations and structural malfunctions in the embassy, ​​which significantly harmed the interests and image of the Georgian representation in France.” 

“ I could never have imagined that I would have to perform the function in the context of constant abuse, slander, pressure, harassment and threats, which originates from deep-rooted clan and clientelistic practices in the system, contradicting the values ​​I uphold and the goals and aspirations I have for Georgia,” she said. 

Katukia stated that she “deeply believed” that the above actions, “which are unacceptable for a legal state, do not reflect the reality of Georgian society.” 

“The aspirations of our society are based on the values ​​of freedom and justice - those values ​​which are fundamental and indivisible for every citizen of Georgia, and which oblige us to be united and responsible," wrote Katukia.

She suggested that the diplomatic service of Georgia was facing “significant staffing and structural problems”, which prevented the effective foreign policy of the country.

Katukia was appointed as the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Georgia to France and the Permanent Representative to UNESCO in 2019.

The Foreign Ministry has not responded to the allegations so far.