Moldova Summons Georgian Diplomat Over Controversial Remarks by PM Kobakhidze

Chisinau condemned Kobakhidze’s "distorted and inconsistent" comments regarding Moldova’s European Union integration and the country's presidential election.

Photo credit: Radio Moldova

The Moldovan Foreign Ministry has summoned Georgian Embassy Charge d'Affaires David Bochorishvili to formally express dissatisfaction with recent remarks made by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.

"It was stated to the charge d'affaires that the Moldovan side is deeply discontented with the distorted and inconsistent public pronouncements by the Georgian prime minister about Moldova's EU integration process and the election in our country," the ministry said in a statement, The Caspian Post reports, citing foreign media. 

Kobakhidze on Monday told reporters "gross violations" were committed during the presidential election in Moldova, but the country’s authorities were not investigating them. According to the prime minister, even though nothing like that happened during Georgia’s October 26 parliamentary election, the country’s prosecutor's office is investigating possible election fraud anyway.

Moldova held the second round of the presidential election on November 3. The Central Election Commission announced Sandu as the winner, while her opponent Alexandr Stoianoglo conceded defeat. Even though inside Moldova Stoianoglo received 51% of the vote, his rival came out on top as she garnered support from about 300,000 Moldovan workers in the EU, where they could cast their ballots at more than 200 polling stations.