Berlin has temporarily recalled its ambassador to Georgia, Peter Fischer, amid escalating tensions with the Georgian government and a climate of increasingly hostile rhetoric, the Foreign Ministry announced Sunday. The decision, described as a move for consultations, signals a deepening rift between Germany and Georgia, particularly concerning Tbilisi’s alignment with the European Union.
The ministry’s statement cited a campaign of “harassment” directed at both the EU and Ambassador Fischer personally. This follows a period of mounting verbal attacks against Fischer by Georgian government officials, stemming from his outspoken criticism of the ruling “Georgian Dream” party’s policies. These criticisms have frequently challenged what Berlin views as a concerning drift towards closer ties with Moscow.
The recall of Ambassador Fischer is timed strategically ahead of a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council on Monday, where Georgia is expected to be a key topic of discussion. Diplomats suggest Berlin is seeking to coordinate a unified European response to what they perceive as increasingly erratic behavior from Tbilisi. While the Georgian government has publicly defended its actions, alleging Fischer’s comments were unwarranted and politically motivated, critics within the EU are expressing concerns about the erosion of democratic norms and a potential backsliding on promised reforms.
The incident highlights a growing frustration within the EU regarding Georgia’s commitment to European integration, particularly as the war in Ukraine has amplified geopolitical anxieties. The rhetoric surrounding Ambassador Fischer’s recall, combined with calls for his expulsion from Georgian parliamentarians associated with pro-Russian factions, paints a picture of a deteriorating relationship and casts doubt on the future trajectory of EU-Georgia relations. Observers are now closely watching how the EU Foreign Affairs Council addresses the situation and whether further diplomatic action will be taken.
