Georgia summons Estonian envoy over university support post

The ambassador of Estonia was summoned to Georgia’s Foreign Ministry following public statements expressing support for Ilia State University.

According to the Georgian side, Ambassador Marge Mardisalu‑Kahar was informed that such remarks were viewed as an attempt to politicise the country’s ongoing education reform process. Officials stated that this was unacceptable and amounted to interference in Georgia’s internal affairs.

Representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia also noted that if Estonia wishes to better understand the education reforms being implemented in the country, it has the opportunity to engage in consultations with the Georgian Ministry of Education through official channels.

The diplomatic dispute followed media reports that the Estonian ambassador had earlier posted a photo on social media together with Nino Doborzhinidze, the rector of Ilia State University, accompanied by the caption: “We stand with Ilia University.”

By Tamilla Hasanova