Mamuka Pifia on Zurabishvili appointment: it is effectively the restoration of diplomatic relations

Pro-Russian politician Mamuka Pifia, who is sanctioned by the United Kingdom, says that the appointment of Giorgi Zurabishvili, First Deputy Foreign Minister, as the Prime Minister's special representative for relations with Russia is "effectively the restoration of diplomatic relations". He made the statement in an interview with the Russian media outlet Mir-Info, which asked him to assess the significance of Zurabishvili's appointment.

According to Pifia: "Special representatives have existed before. However, in this case there is one important nuance: Zurabishvili was not only appointed as the Prime Minister's representative, but also retains the post of First Deputy Foreign Minister of Georgia. This allows him to hold high-level meetings with Mikhail Galuzin, as well as Sergey Lavrov."

He further said: "That is exactly why I attach such significance to this appointment. This is a transition to a new level, practically the restoration of diplomatic relations. We hope that visits will now take place in Moscow as well as in Tbilisi. It is good that this step was taken by Tbilisi." Pifia claims that "Georgian society received this step very positively." According to him, Tbilisi's step is real progress and creates an opportunity for rapprochement.

Zurabishvili's appointment as the Prime Minister's special representative for relations with Russia became known on October 21. According to Irakli Kobakhidze, "the peaceful settlement of the conflict with Russia, the maintenance and development of existing trade and economic relations, and dialogue on humanitarian issues are one of Georgia's most important priorities". Kobakhidze explained that, alongside the Geneva format, the special representative is given a key role in fulfilling these tasks, while Zurabishvili continues to perform the duties of First Deputy Foreign Minister.

The Georgian Diplomatic Society states that expanding the special representative's mandate and appointing the serving First Deputy Foreign Minister to this post is a dangerous trend. According to the authors of the statement, the decision may create the basis for restoring diplomatic relations with Russia, which contradicts Georgia's previously declared approach.