Archil Gorduladze on Barbara Voss's statement: I would urge all ambassadors—whether incumbent or former—to use a threatening tone when speaking to representatives of countries where such tactics have worked for them; in Georgia, however, they should kindly remain within the framework of the Vienna Convention
"I would urge all ambassadors—whether incumbent or former—to use a threatening tone when speaking to representatives of countries where such tactics have worked for them; in Georgia, however, they should kindly remain within the framework of the Vienna Convention, which explicitly prohibits ambassadors from using threatening language or tones," stated Archil Gorduladze, Chairman of the Legal Affairs Committee of the Parliament of Georgia, responding to remarks made by German Ambassador to Georgia Barbara Voss regarding the closure of four German foundations operating in the country.
According to Gorduladze, the foundations' claim that they are unable to carry out their activities in Georgia is incorrect—a piece of misinformation that "could serve as a pretext for further attacks on Georgia in the future."
“As for the foundations, let us look at who founded them—these are foundations established by political parties. While they claim to distance themselves from political parties and not to advance their agendas, it is up to the public to judge how credible that claim actually is. Nevertheless, under the amendments made to the law on grants, any organization issuing a grant is required to apply to the Georgian government; if the government deems the grant beneficial to Georgian society and free from risks to sovereignty, it grants approval. However, when such approval is not granted, the German ambassador and the foundations interpret this as a ban on their activities. Who stopped them from devising other initiatives, wishing to issue grants for different purposes, and applying to the Georgian government for that? No one! I refuse to believe that this might be used, yet again, to damage Georgia’s reputation. I would urge every ambassador—whether incumbent or former—to speak in a threatening tone to representatives of those countries where such practices might have been tolerated, but when in Georgia - kindly remain within the framework of the Vienna Convention, which explicitly prohibits ambassadors from using threatening language or tones against a government elected by people.
We cannot force anyone to stay anywhere. We simply say: if you wish to issue a grant, coordinate it with the Georgian government. If the Georgian government deems the grant appropriate, you will have the opportunity to issue it. However, if these foundations find it embarrassing in one instance, or simply do not wish to approach the Georgian government for approval regarding another grant, that is their choice and their decision to make. There is legislation in this country that everyone is obliged to obey; such laws protect the nation's sovereignty—including against attempts to bring in illicit funds. These foundations have accomplished a great deal of good work in the past, for which we are grateful, and should they wish to continue such activities in the future, they would certainly be able to do so. But when they claim they lack the opportunity to carry out these activities, this is, at the very least, incorrect information that could subsequently be used yet another basis for attacking Georgia," stated Gorduladze.
It is worth noting that four German foundations—the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, the Heinrich Böll Foundation, and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation—have suspended their operations in Georgia.
According to German Ambassador Barbara Voss, the four German foundations operating in Georgia were compelled to temporarily suspend their activities, a move that "will impact relations between Georgia and the European Union."
