A coalition of Georgian non-governmental organizations has published an open letter expressing support and solidarity with the German Ambassador to Georgia, Ernst Peter Fischer. In their statement, the NGOs address the ambassador regarding the controversial rhetoric of the ruling party, Georgian Dream, and highlight Germany’s longstanding role in supporting Georgia’s integration into Euro-Atlantic structures and safeguarding the country’s sovereignty.
The controversy arose on September 8, when Speaker of Parliament Shalva Papuashvili responded to a protest rally at the Tbilisi headquarters of the Georgian Dream with a Facebook post, claiming that “the ‘Titushki’, supported by the German Ambassador, attacked him with fascist chants.”
In response, the German Foreign Ministry issued a statement urging the Georgian Dream to stop spreading false narratives about Germany and the European Union.
Following this, members of Georgia’s civil and academic society launched a petition expressing gratitude to Germany and solidarity with Ambassador Fischer. BMG provides the full text of the open letter from the NGOs below:
"We, representatives of Georgian non-governmental organizations, express our full solidarity with the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Georgia, Mr. Ernst Peter Fischer. The recent attempts to discredit and personally attack a representative of an important partner country and a guest in our homeland are deeply troubling.
At a time when democratic values and Georgia’s European future are under threat, Ambassador Fischer has consistently and courageously defended the principles of freedom, openness, and democracy. His position is clear and persuasive, serving as a reminder to both the government and the Georgian public that Georgia’s rightful place is within the family of European nations.
It is precisely because of this principled position that the Ambassador has become the target of unfounded and hostile attacks. These personal insults and propaganda narratives are not isolated incidents; they form part of a deliberate and systematic campaign of disinformation directed not only against Germany but also against other Western partners, including the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States, who have steadfastly supported Georgia over decades. From humanitarian aid and development assistance to diplomatic and political support, Germany and its partners have always been among the most consistent and loyal allies of the Georgian people.
The attempt to discredit a representative of such an important partner damages Georgia’s international reputation, undermines strategic interests, and, most critically, alienates our allies who have consistently supported the independence, security, and democratic development of our country. The false narrative that Western support for Georgia and its citizens is lacking is baseless. On the contrary, Germany, the UK, and other European states have continuously supported Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration and defended its sovereignty in the face of external threats.
We, Georgian NGOs committed to Georgia’s democratic future, express unequivocal support for Ambassador Fischer and all representatives of partner countries who, despite hostility and slander, continue to defend the rights of Georgians to freedom, democracy, and European integration. The solidarity of these partners deserves recognition, gratitude, and respect.
We stand by Ambassador Fischer. We will continue to expose propaganda and manipulation and fight for Georgia’s historic choice, our European future. The values of truth, dignity, democracy, and freedom will undoubtedly prevail in Georgia.
The statement is signed by:
Europe-Georgia Institute (EGI); Transparency International Georgia; Tbilisi Pride; Tolerance and Diversity Institute (TDI); Democracy Research Institute (DRI); Human Rights Center (HRC); Green Alternative; Rights Georgia; Civil Society Foundation; Georgian Democracy Initiative (GDI); Georgia’s European Orbit; Partnership for Human Rights; International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED); Georgian Young Lawyers Association (GYLA); Democracy Defenders (DemDef); Georgia’s Future Academy; Sapari; Georgian Center for Psychosocial and Medical Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (GCRT); Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI); Association of Law Firms of Georgia (ALFG); Women’s Initiatives Supporting Group (WISG); Economic Policy Research Center (EPRC); Research-Intellectual Club “Dialogue of Generations” (RICDOG); GEOCASE; Europe Foundation; Prevention for Progress (PFP); Civic Idea; Institute of Western Democracy and Leadership (IWDL Georgia); Georgia’s Reforms Associates (GRASS).
The letter is open for additional signatures, according to the third sector.
