Speaker Papuashvili: outgoing German ambassador showed ‘disrespect’ for Georgia’s statehood

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili has accused outgoing German Ambassador Peter Fischer of showing disrespect toward Georgia's state institutions, saying the envoy left the country without paying farewell visits to the country's top officials.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Papuashvili said Fischer had not bid farewell to the Georgian president, prime minister or parliament before concluding his diplomatic mission.

“It is perhaps symbolic that the German ambassador left ‘in French fashion’- without saying goodbye. Peter Fischer did not bid farewell to the president, the prime minister or the parliament, thereby demonstrating that he simply does not respect our statehood,” Papuashvili said.

He argued that the ambassador's departure reflected what he described as Fischer's longstanding attitude toward Georgia.

“With this step, he once again demonstrated his complete disrespect for the Georgian state, the Georgian people, their history and the country's sovereignty. This was the main problem throughout his tenure as ambassador,” Papuashvili said.

The parliament speaker also claimed Fischer had damaged long-standing ties between Georgia and Germany.

“It is regrettable that this individual managed to undermine a 30-year partnership in just three years,” he said.

Papuashvili expressed hope that Fischer's departure would mark the beginning of improved bilateral relations.

“I hope his departure will become the foundation for a new beginning and the restoration of relations between Georgia and Germany,” he said.

The speaker noted that Georgians remain grateful for Germany's support since the country's independence and recalled the close relationship between former late Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze and former German Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher, which he said helped establish strong bilateral ties.

Fischer, who had served as Germany's ambassador to Georgia since 2022, announced earlier that his diplomatic mission had come to an end.