According to Shalva Papuashvili, Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, the Swedish Ambassador to Georgia must clarify whether the Swedish Prime Minister’s statement on same-sex marriage represents “the official position of the Swedish government regarding decisions on the progress of candidate countries and whether it applies to Georgia as well.” He made this statement to journalists in response to Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s remarks that, within the framework of European integration, Ukraine must regulate same-sex partnerships and ensure full legal protection for the LGBT community.

According to Papuashvili’s assessment, the Swedish Ambassador and Embassy are not fulfilling the ambassadorial function.

“The function of an ambassador is precisely to clarify and represent their government’s position. We saw the Swedish Prime Minister’s position, who clearly stated that for Ukraine’s progress toward EU membership, it is important for Ukraine to legalize same-sex marriage. He said it directly, clearly, and without ambiguity. Now, the question to the Swedish Ambassador is simple: clarify the government’s position—did the Prime Minister misspeak, or is this the official position of the Swedish government regarding decisions on the progress of candidate countries, and does it accordingly apply to Georgia? The Swedish Ambassador must clarify these words because that is exactly the role of an ambassador. Instead, the Swedish Embassy is busy taking photos at the trials of individuals accused of violence, indulging in self-promotion, and funding extremist NGOs. This is, in reality, undermining the purpose of diplomatic missions and the idea of representation. Instead of explaining what Sweden’s position is, the Swedish Embassy is hiding. It is evading the questions of the Georgian people and, in broad daylight, openly supports extremists,” stated Shalva Papuashvili.