TBILISI, DFWatch — The president’s administration has published a letter written by the foreign minister, who writes to the president asking to call back several ambassadors.

This comes amid a period when the president and the prime minister are trying to portray themselves as advocates of compromise.

Under Georgian law, ambassadors are nominated by the president but confirmed by the parliament. On the other hand, when called back, this is the prerogative of the president.

A month ago, the foreign minister sent a letter to the president, which the president’s administration published now, without explanation.

The letter, which was published on Monday, says that despite an agreement between the prime minister and the president, and a request by the foreign minister, the president only presented new ambassadors in countries where the former ambassador’s term was ended. The ambassadors in question are Grigol Katamadze, Ambassador to Ukraine until 22.01.13; Konstantine Korkelia, Ambassador to Latvia until 07.02.13; Nino Nakashidze, Ambassador to Czech Republic until 26.02.13; Zviad Chumburidze, ambassador to Hungary until 09.03.13; Paata Gaprindashvili, ambassador to Austria until 18.03.13.


In her letter to the president, Maia Panjikidze asks to call back a number of other ambassadors, including the ambassador to the US, the UN, Belgium and the EU, the Council of Europe, UK, Germany, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkey and to China.

“As soon as the request of the letter is satisfied, candidates for new diplomatic representation will be presented,” the letter says, but the details of the president’s decision on this issue remain unknown.

More than a week ago, the president’s press office said President Saakashvili agreed to dismiss some ambassadors and confirm candidates suggested by the Ivanishvili government, including the ambassador to France.