MPs, Foreign Ministry Exchange Criticism

Parliamentarians from the ruling National Movement party slammed the Foreign Ministry for the latter?s reaction to criticism voiced by leading MPs over the Foreign Ministry?s delay in submitting a Framework Convention on National Minorities to the Parliament.

In a response to criticism voiced by MP Davit Kirkitadze from the National Movement, who described Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili as ?negligent,? the Foreign Ministry issued a statement on October 14 saying that it condemns ?the criticism of a person who is a top official. The statement [by MP Kirkitadze] is unacceptable, especially when it regards the Foreign Minister [Salome Zourabichvili], while the latter is on an official visit to a foreign country [UK].?

?I am astonished with the Georgian Foreign Ministry making a statement about the Georgian Parliament. I think it is not a normal action,? MP Kote Gabashvili, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Foreign Affairs, said on October 17.

Vice-Speaker Mikheil Machavariani said that ?we consider this action by the Foreign Ministry an incorrect step.?

?Every MP has the right to make a critical statement, moreover if this criticism is well-founded,? MP Elene Tevdoradze, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Human Rights, said on October 17.

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