Georgia, Tbilisi, Jan. 4 / Trend N.Kirtskhalia /
The Georgian government has decided to replace its ambassadors in 18 countries, the Georgian Public Broadcaster reported.
Ambassadors to the Czech Republic, UK, Belgium, Luxembourg, Hungary, as well as heads of mission to the Council of Europe and the European Union are among those to be recalled in the near future.
"I was informed that a number of ambassadors will be recalled. I did not write a letter of resignation, but as far as I know the appropriate order on recalling ambassadors will be made public soon.
"There is nothing special or surprising in the fact that the new government wants to appoint its cadres to high diplomatic posts although I do not in any way agree with the accusation that allegedly I am guided not by the interests of the country, but partisan interests. This is absurd," Georgian Ambassador to the European Union Salome Samadashvili said.
Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on European Integration Victor Dolidze responded to this statement. He said ambassadors are not recalled due to political reasons.
"I doubt that there are other reasons. For me it is a very delicate subject because I was an ambassador and now amongst them are my friends and colleagues with whom I worked. However if their release turns into being political motivation, it will be very bad. We wrote them letters where we asked them to concentrate on the political circumstances that were in the pre-election period. Unfortunately, not all have taken into account our recommendations," Dolidze said.