Georgian Foreign Minister resigns

Georgian Foreign Minister Maya Panjikidze resigned on Wednesday, citing threats to the former Soviet republic’s pro-Europe course after the dismissal of its Western-leaning defence minister. Reuters news agency informs about this.

Prime Minister Irakly Garibashvili faces a growing crisis in his governing six-party Georgian Dream coalition, a day after firing Irakly Alasania as defence minister.

Alasania had criticised the arrests of several officials in his ministry as politically motivated and aimed at those who favour better relations with the West.

“Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration is the most important thing for me and my team,” Panjikidze said in brief remarks at a news conference at which she said four deputy foreign ministers were quitting with her.

“My team and I cannot hide the threats that our country faces now,” she said without giving any details.