Opposition leader Vashadze slams Georgian president's visit to Iran

Giorgi Vashadze, leader of the opposition party Strategy Agmashenebeli, has criticised the Georgian leadership over President Mikheil Kavelashvili's visit to Iran, saying it reflected a departure from Georgia's European path.

Speaking to reporters, Vashadze contrasted what he described as his party's pro-European orientation with the government's foreign policy.

"We are in the centre of Europe; they are in Iran. That is the difference between us and them. We have no place in Iran. Our place is in Europe, in the European Union," he said.

Vashadze also called on Georgia's Western partners to reassess their engagement with the country's current leadership.

"I want to tell our American partners: wake up and look at whom you are talking to. You meet with them and hold discussions, yet they go to Iran. These people have nothing to discuss or cooperate with democratic forces. They are not interested in democracy or people's rights," he said.