Irakli Zarkua on the US Embassy’s statement: This country has a Prime Minister, a Foreign Minister, and they can communicate with them directly, not in some behind-the-scenes way—don’t complicate relations

This country has a Prime Minister and a Foreign Minister with whom they can communicate directly, not through some behind-the-scenes channels—so don’t complicate relations. This is what Irakli Zarkua, Chairman of the Diaspora Affairs Committee of Parliament, stated in response to the US Embassy’s announcement that Bidzina Ivanishvili had refused to meet with Ambassador Degnan.

Zarkua called on the United States Embassy to respect protocol.

“This country has a Prime Minister, a Foreign Minister, and if the ambassador wants to share any position or deliver a letter, there are the appropriate agencies for that. So don’t complicate relations. During the previous administration, that improper policy already led [relations] into a deadlock. On the contrary, we are ready for relations to move onto a positive track and to start from a new page,” Zarkua said.

Additionally, responding to a question about the ambassadors, he stated that “the outrageous insolence from some ambassadors must be put to an end.”

“For some reason, some ambassadors forget that their duty is not to interfere in internal affairs, but to strengthen relations between states and peoples. I regret to say this, but we must remind them—maybe they will read the Vienna Convention. Maybe they should review international relations again. We call on the ambassadors to stop this insolence. There is a limit to everything,” Zarkua declared.