Germany has recalled its ambassador to Georgia amid an escalating conflict with the government the Caucasus country.
Diplomat Ernst Peter Fischer will return to Germany, at least temporarily, “for consultations”.
The move came after the Georgian Government had accused him of following “a radical agenda” with Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze claiming Fischer was interfering with Georgia’s internal affairs.
Yesterday, the German foreign ministry wrote on X: “For many months, the Georgian leadership has been agitating against the EU, Germany and also the German ambassador personally. The German Foreign Office has therefore decided to recall Ambassador Fischer for consultations to discuss how to proceed.”
Germany also announced that the European Union’s Foreign Relations Council would hold talks on Georgia today.
In September, Fischer had been officially summoned by the Georgian foreign ministry over his repeated public criticism of what he saw as the authoritarian course the Georgian Government was taking.
Irakli Kobakhidze, chairman of the Georgian Dream party, became Prime Minister of Georgia in 2024 after an election that opposition parties claim was manipulated.
The European Parliament adopted a resolution condemning the elections for being “neither free nor fair” and bemoaning “systematic interference in Georgia’s democratic processes” by Russia.
Germany received backing for its move from other EU governments. The Lithuanian foreign ministry wrote on X: “We reiterate our solidarity with our German colleagues and Ambassador Peter Fischer: The unfounded accusations, aggressive rhetoric and attacks by Georgian Dream representatives against him are totally unacceptable.
“Such attacks only deepen Georgia’s self-isolation.”
Georgian leadership has welcomed the ambassador’s recall. Shalva Papuashvili, speaker of the Georgian Parliament and a Georgian Dream MP, told local newspaper Pravda he hoped the move was a signal to reset relations with Germany.
“Apparently, the German authorities have reflected on the fact that the current ambassador, unfortunately, instead of acting as a bridge between the governments, chose the role of a wall,” he said.
Conversely, oppositions representatives warn that the recall may be interpreted as a sign of weakness on the part of Germany and the EU.
Giorgi Butikashvili, foreign policy advisor for the Goergian opposition movement Coalition for Change, wrote on X: “Georgian Dream wanted precisely this effect: That Ambassador Fischer is no longer in Georgia. Now that the German ambassador is no longer officially meeting with Georgian Dream [they] argue: ‘If he won’t meet with us, he shouldn’t meet with civil society or the opposition either.’
“I hope that the German foreign ministry will analyse this propaganda correctly and not give the impression of weakness,” he concluded.
Fischer was appointed ambassador to Georgia in 2022. From 2018 to 2022 he served as German ambassador to the United Arab Emirates. Before that, he held various positions in the German foreign service, including commissioner for energy and climate policy until 2018.
