German Ambassador to Georgia, Peter Fischer, gave his first in-depth interview since returning from consultations in Berlin, offering a candid assessment of the unprecedented strain in German–Georgian relations and Georgia’s faltering EU prospects. Speaking to RFE/RL’s Georgian Service in an interview published on November 27, Fischer outlined how bilateral ties have reached their lowest point in recent years, following months of public attacks on him by Georgian Dream officials and pro-government media.

Tensions escalated through the autumn, culminating in the Georgian Foreign Ministry summoning the ambassador and Berlin temporarily recalling him for consultations in October—a diplomatic move signaling serious concern. Fischer noted that the accusations leveled against him by ruling party figures, including claims that he interfered in domestic affairs and violated the Vienna Convention, are entirely baseless.

He opened the interview with what he called a necessary “disclaimer”: as a German diplomat, his mandate is to represent Germany, a member of the European Union. He stressed unequivocally that he has never engaged in partisan politics in Georgia, nor has he violated diplomatic norms. Referring directly to the Vienna Convention, he emphasized that collecting information and reporting to one’s government is a legitimate function of a diplomat. Fischer said he expects renewed criticism following the interview but reiterated that none of the allegations against him have ever been substantiated. He also acknowledged that he was encouraged “by people here” to repeat this disclaimer publicly.

Addressing the circumstances of his recall, Fischer explained that the term has a precise diplomatic meaning: it signals protest, disagreement, and the need for a fundamental review of bilateral relations. In this case, he said, all three applied. Berlin also sought to shield him from ongoing personal attacks and to signal that such treatment of a foreign envoy is unacceptable. He dismissed suggestions from ruling party circles that he had been recalled because he was “in trouble” or would not be returning, saying such comments reflected either ignorance of diplomatic practice or wishful thinking. Fischer added that during exchanges between the German and Georgian foreign ministries, Berlin had asked Tbilisi directly to stop the attacks on him.

Upon his return, he was tasked with conveying a clear message to the Georgian authorities: in its current political state, Georgia no longer has a path toward EU membership. If the governing party maintains its existing course, Fischer said, Germany will treat Georgia simply as a normal partner country in the South Caucasus rather than a future EU member. He confirmed that he has already met with Georgian Dream officials to communicate this position.

The ambassador also responded to the ruling party’s portrayal of him as part of a “deep state” or “global war party,” calling these narratives absurd and politically motivated. He said he had become a convenient scapegoat at a time when Georgian Dream seeks to frame tensions with Western partners as driven by hostile external forces. Fischer noted that he previously enjoyed very warm relations with senior government figures, including Speaker Shalva Papuashvili and Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, both educated in Germany. He expressed bewilderment that former friends now depict Germany as an adversary.

The interview addressed the controversy surrounding a photograph taken of him near parliament during protests on November 14. Pro-government outlets portrayed the picture as evidence of political interference. Fischer explained that he was simply walking home with his wife after dinner, long after the main crowd had dispersed, when a passerby asked for a photo. He said he did nothing improper or inconsistent with the Vienna Convention and noted that he never published the photo—its circulation was entirely the result of pro-government media. He stressed that he neither knew the protester nor discussed politics with him, adding that even if the individual supported the opposition or had criticized the Church, such views are not illegal in a democratic society. Fischer rejected claims that he disrespects Georgian religious values, calling himself a committed Christian who respects all faiths.

Fischer’s starkest message concerned Georgia’s EU future. He said Berlin fully supports the European Commission’s November 4 assessment that Georgia currently has no credible path toward membership. According to him, the EU granted candidate status in 2023 based on trust—trust that has since eroded. Germany, he said, is no longer working on Georgia’s enlargement track, and he expects the December European Council to confirm that the file is effectively closed for now.

The reason, he argued, lies in the Georgian government’s actions: the targeting of civil society, pressure on the opposition, arrests of political figures, restrictions on freedom of assembly and expression, and the adoption of laws incompatible with EU standards. He noted that maintaining these laws is the government’s sovereign right—but doing so means abandoning the path to EU membership. The EU does not coerce countries into joining; they must choose alignment willingly and meet the required standards. The ambassador added that while Georgia formally retains candidate status—much like Turkey—the EU’s position rests on hope that political conditions may one day shift.