**Germany’s Ambassador to Georgia Speaks Out Against Comparisons**
For months now, the streets of Tbilisi have been filled with protesters on Rustaveli Avenue. The German Ambassador to Georgia, Peter Fischer, has taken to social media to address a sensitive topic – comparing the current protests in Georgia to those of the Soviet era.
Fischer’s message is clear: such comparisons are not only incorrect but also misguided. He points out that Germany and the European Union should not be compared to the Soviet Union, which was a hostile foreign power that occupied Georgia for decades. “For months now, Georgians have been protesting on Rustaveli,” Fischer writes. “Comparing them to the Soviet Union is wrong.”
**A Lesson from History**
Fischer’s comments are significant because they highlight the complexities of history and politics in the region. The Ambassador references the events of April 9, 1989, when Georgian protesters were killed by Soviet troops on Rustaveli Avenue. He also draws parallels with East Germany, where people were demonstrating for freedom and democracy, culminating in the fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989.
**A Message of Support**
Fischer’s message is one of support for Georgia and its people. “We are friends of Georgia,” he writes, “not a hostile foreign power.” He emphasizes that every sincere Georgian knows this from 30 years of experience working with Germany and the European Union.
In conclusion, Fischer’s comments offer a nuanced perspective on the current protests in Georgia. By highlighting the differences between past and present, the Ambassador seeks to reassure Georgians that they have friends and allies who support their right to freedom and democracy.
