Georgian Ambassador to France Gocha Javakhishvili left his post.
He made this decision because of the “Russian law.” Javakhishvili says that the atmosphere and mood created in relations with Georgia’s friends and foreign partners due to the reincarnated draft law makes it extremely difficult for him personally as the extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of Georgia to the French Republic and Monaco.
Gocha Javakhishvili’s post reads:
“In order to dispel the doubts caused by my silence regarding my attitude towards the European future of Georgia, I will repeat word for word what I sincerely said last year in those difficult days and which I still think is relevant today:
“Europe is not only a space surrounded by borders. Europe is primarily a set of values. Europeanness is commitment to these values. Georgia, which I serve, is neither only the government nor only the opposition. Neither one nor the other combines the present and future of the country. Only the people, its history, culture determine such a fundamental mission of the country as its spiritual and cultural identity.
The will of our ancestors is the European future of our homeland. By understanding the past and the future, Georgia will remain faithful to the European path. I serve this way with my modest work. This is my belief and the position of a citizen. To this day, I serve Georgia’s European course with all consciousness and sincerity. I don’t understand any other way or work”
“I have been serving in Georgian diplomacy for 30 years, I taught European integration for 10 years. I also believe and convinced the students that we are a country of European culture and future. Europe is our place. I assured that Europe does not need us to be a sterile nation, but we should enrich Europe with our peculiarities, our unique language, alphabet and polyphony, our rich traditions and ancient culture, our charm and taste. If I didn’t honestly believe that, no one would have stopped me in this job until now.
I will also add that I firmly believe that Georgia has already strengthened enough in national values, we know the price of freedom and independence. The Georgian nation has seen and experienced so much from Russia that the Georgian land will never again be fertile for Russian seeds and saplings.
Personally, I do not know anyone around me, neither in the government nor among diplomats, who are openly pro-Russian, I understand that this may be a kind of tactic to achieve a certain goal. However, I no longer see my role and resources in this direction: to move towards Europe.
The environment and mood created in relations with our friends and foreign partners due to the reincarnated draft law make my mission as Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Georgia to the French Republic and Monaco extremely difficult. Accordingly, I have already applied to my management with a request to terminate my authority in the position I hold before the deadline.
I will also honestly say that we should express both protest and satisfaction at the elections. I don’t want my honest opinion to be perceived as a political demarche for someone’s benefit or to someone’s detriment. I want, after a long hesitation, to get rid of the burden that I feel I can’t handle anymore. Even if I am wrong, I will not regret it. I will only act according to the dictates of my conscience. I also realize that I hurt many people with this decision and I feel it more. In the future, wherever I am, I will always be a supporter and fan of Georgia’s European future.”
