Georgia’s decision to expel the employee of the Russian Federation Interests Section of the Embassy of Switzerland will not affect Swiss mandate – Lukas Beglinger, Swiss Ambassador to Georgia told the journalists.

“The Swiss embassy has received the note of the Georgian Foreign Ministry and sent it to the Russian Federation Interests Section. This note will not affect Swiss mandate” – Ambassador said.

The Swiss embassy has a special mandate, envisaging the protection of the interests of Russia in Georgia and protection of Georgian interests in Russia. The regarding decision was made after the August War, when diplomatic relations between Georgia and Russia was cut off.

Georgia expels the employee of the Russian Federation Interests Section of the Embassy of Switzerland. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia declares a member of the staff of the Russian Federation Interests Section at the Embassy of Switzerland in Tbilisi as a not acceptable person and requests to leave Georgia within 7 days.

According to statement of the Ministry, the decision is linked to the fact of   poisoning of Sergei Skripal in Salisbury, southern England.

On March 14, UK Prime Minister Theresa May announced decision on cutting off all top-level ties with Russia and expelling 23 Russian diplomats in response to the  attack on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, in Salisbury, southern England. Soon afterwards, other countries have expressed solidarity with the UK.

Up to 30 countries announced the expulsion of Russian diplomats for the time being, including the United States, Canada, Australia, EU countries, Moldova and Ukraine.  Washington ordered the expulsion of 60 Russian diplomats and the closure of the Russian consulate in Seattle.