Herchinski should lower his tone and leave that dismissive attitude back at the embassy – Shalva Papuashvili

"Pavel Herchinski likely failed to grasp what Georgian culture entails; a guest does not speak to a host in such a tone," stated Shalva Papuashvili, Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, while speaking to journalists.

Papuashvili was asked about a statement made by Pavel Herchinski, who remarked that "if Georgia wishes to ever become a member of the European Union, it must adopt European laws—not American, Russian, or Chinese ones." In response, the Speaker of the Parliament asserted that Georgia is Europe and is, in fact, adopting European laws. "Where do we stand—are we America, are we China, or what are we? We are Europe; what does it even mean to call something 'European'? We are adopting European laws—we are Europe. If Mr. Herczynski thinks he is some sort of high priest of Europe, here to lecture us on what Europe is—well, I don't know. If anyone needs an explanation of what Europe is, let him explain it to the people around him. We are Europe; we are adopting European laws. If something doesn't suit his taste—or Brussels' taste—that is a different matter. Once again: they don't like it? Fine—we heard them; they’ve already halted things, haven't they? We’ve got that. But why are they so angry? I just don't understand. I want to return to this point. Yesterday, we saw a briefing by Mr. Herczynski, in which he spoke about certain 'recommendations.' My first recommendation to him is this: tone it down. A diplomat accredited here should not address the Georgian government with such aggression—using an aggressive, demanding, and patronizing tone. That would be my recommendation: he needs to tone it down," stated Shalva Papuashvili. According to him, Paweł Herczyński was angry during the press conference and spoke in a tone full of grievances.

"What is this, exactly? What kind of behavior is it for a guest to speak to a host in such a tone? Perhaps he failed to grasp what Georgian culture entails—a guest simply does not address a host in this manner. That’s the first point. Secondly, his remarks yesterday—suggesting we should have a 'dialogue' about the 'global war party' and the 'deep state'—were part of this same tone. Is he serious? You all saw it yesterday. So, what exactly are we supposed to have a dialogue about? Should it be about the claim made by his superior, Marta Kos, that 'Russia has won in Georgia'? Is that the topic for dialogue—whether or not Russia has won? Or whether we are regressing into a dark past? Or perhaps about the time—in 2022 or 2023—when he approached the Minister of Justice with a bogus démarche, claiming that Saakashvili was dying? Is that what they want to discuss—whether he was dying or not? Four years have passed; the man has since had a child and is practically directing political processes from prison. Is this what he wants a dialogue about?" "Therefore, I would advise the Ambassador to leave his dismissive tone at the embassy and to speak to the Georgian people and their government in a manner befitting a diplomat," stated Shalva Papuashvili.