TBILISI, April 23 – Comments made by Paweł Herczynski at a photo exhibition in Brussels prompted a stern response from Georgian leaders after the EU Ambassador warned that the country could drift back toward “dark times”.
The event in question was the opening of “Georgia in Focus” at the European External Action Service, the EU’s diplomatic arm. Netgazeti obtained a transcript of the speech at the launch of the display, which took place on Thursday, April 23. Pictures show key moments from the past decade in Georgia captured by Georgian photographers obtained through the EU Prize for Journalism.
Speaking at the opening, Herczynski said Georgia was “at a crossroads” and no longer on the right path after receiving EU candidate status in December 2023. He said the authorities had chosen “an alternative model, a model of authoritarianism,” and were moving the country away from the European Union. He told listeners that his message to Georgians was to not lose hope, and added: “We cannot let Georgia and wonderful, warm, hospitable Georgian people go back to the dark times of violence, civil war, poverty, deprivation, corruption. This is not the future they deserve.”
The comments were not well received in Tbilisi. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze told reporters the ambassador was threatening the Georgian people with “civil war and impoverishment” and said such remarks were “simply unimaginable.” He said it would be appropriate to summon the ambassador over the statement. Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze also called for Herczynski to be summoned and questioned.
Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili later called the remarks “a classic example of political cynicism” and said Brussels should end what he described as aggressive rhetoric toward Georgia.
After visiting several cities in Georgia, “Georgia in Focus” is currently on display in the EU capital until the end of the month.
