International Shia News Agency

PressTv/ Georgia foreign minister, deputies resign

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) – Georgia’s foreign minister and three deputies have resigned, alleging that the ex-Soviet nation risks losing membership in NATO and the European Union.

Foreign Minister Maya Panjikidze and three of her deputies resigned on Wednesday in protest at the firing of Defense Minister Irakli Alasania a day earlier.

They are all members of the Free Democrats party.

Panjikidze alleged on Wednesday that the firing of the defense minister was a politically motivated attack on pro-Western figures.

The dismissal was followed by the resignation of European Integration Minister and Free Democrats member, Aleksi Petriashvili, on Tuesday.

The political row highlights increasing tension between the Free Democrats and the Georgian Dream party in the governing coalition over corruption and plans to integrate with the West and reject pressure from Russia.

Critics blame Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, a Georgian Dream member, of failing to adequately react to a proposed integration agreement by Russia and the Georgian separatist region of Abkhazia.

Under the agreement, a common defense infrastructure and combined Russian and Abkhazian armed forces would be created.

Russia and Georgia fought a brief war in 2008 after Tbilisi launched a major offensive against the independence-seeking republic of South Ossetia in a bid to retake control of the region.

 

Source:PressTV

www.shafaqna.com

 

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