Swiss Embassy, Georgian Side Deny Opening of Russian Culture Center in Tbilisi

The Embassy of the Swiss Confederation in Georgia, as well as Prime Minister's Special Representative for Relations with Russia Zurab Abashidze, deny reports about the opening of Russian Science and Culture Center under the Russian Federation Interests Section at the Embassy of Switzerland in Tbilisi. 

"We have checked the information and no Russian Science and Culture Center has been opened at the Embassy of Switzerland and no opening of such center is planned for the future," the representatives of the Swiss Embassy in Georgia said. 

“According to our information, there has not been opened any center of culture. You can check it at the Embassy of Switzerland,” Zurab Abashidze said.

Sova News reported earlier today that the Russian Cultural Center had opened under the Russian Federation Interests Section at the Embassy of Switzerland in Tbilisi.

Russian former deputy FM Gregory Karasin announced the opening of a Russian language and culture center in Tbilisi in mid-December after meeting with Zurab Abashidze in Prague in November. 

"There is no doubt that the Center of Russian Language and Culture, which opens in Tbilisi in mid-December, will play an important role in the development of relations between Russia and Georgia," he said.

However, the representative of the Georgian side said that no bilateral agreement on the opening of a Russian language and culture center in Tbilisi was made during the meeting.

By Ana Dumbadze 

Related Story: Karasin Announces Opening of Russian Culture Center in Tbilisi