Speaker Papuashvili: Herczyński should drop ‘condescending tone’ and show ‘proper diplomatic respect’ to Georgian people and government

“Pawel Herczynski probably does not understand what Georgian culture means. A guest does not speak to a host in this tone,” Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili told journalists.

Papuashvili was asked to comment on Herczynski’s statement that “if Georgia ever wants to become a member of the European Union, it must adopt European laws, not American, Russian or Chinese ones.” In response, the Speaker said that Georgia is Europe and adopts European laws.

“Where are we? Are we America, China or what? We are Europe. What do you mean by European? We adopt European laws; we are Europe. If Mr Herczynski thinks he is some kind of high priest of Europe who can come here and tell us what Europe is, I don’t know what to say. If anyone needs an explanation of Europe, he should explain it to the people around him.

We are Europe; we adopt European laws. If something does not fit his preferences or those of Brussels, that is another matter. Once again, they don’t like it? We understand. They have suspended [the process], and we understand that. But why are they getting angry? That is what I cannot understand.

I want to return to this issue. Yesterday, we saw Mr Herczynski’s briefing, during which he spoke about certain recommendations. The first recommendation I would like to make to him is to lower his tone. A diplomat accredited here should not address the Georgian government with aggression, in an aggressive, demanding and patronising tone. That would be my recommendation: he should lower his tone,” Papuashvili said.

According to Papuashvili, Pawel Herczynski appeared angry and spoke in a confrontational manner during the press conference.

“What is this, generally speaking? What kind of conduct is this, for a guest to address a host in such a tone? He probably does not understand what Georgian culture means. A guest does not speak to a host in this tone. That is the first point.

Second, yesterday’s remarks about the Global War Party and the ‘Deep State’ were also part of this tone. He said we should have a dialogue about them, asking whether we seriously meant it. You saw that yesterday. Well, what should we have a dialogue about? Should we discuss the fact that his superior, Marta Kos, said that Russia had won in Georgia? Is that what they want to discuss, whether Russia has won or not? Whether we are returning to a dark past or not?

Or should we discuss the fact that in 2022 or 2023 he went to the Justice Minister with a false démarche, claiming that Saakashvili was dying? Is that what they want to discuss, whether he was dying or not? Four years have passed, and the man has had a child and is practically directing political processes from prison.

So, I would advise the ambassador to leave his condescending tone at the embassy and address the Georgian people and their government in a manner befitting a diplomat,” Papuashvili said.