Strange and Undiplomatic: Georgia's Response to Arsen Torosyan's Statement

The head of Georgia's National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, Amiran Gamkrelidze, has described the statement made by Armenia's Minister of Health, Arsen Torosyan, as undiplomatic. This was reported by 'Georgia Online'. According to panorama.am, Minister Torosyan stated during an online discussion with members of the Security Council yesterday that Armenia's anti-epidemic system is much stronger than that of neighboring Georgia, attributing the low number of coronavirus cases in Georgia to the quality of testing and testing methodologies.

Gamkrelidze expressed surprise at these statements and did not rule out the possibility that the minister's words were misrepresented by the media. 'I personally know Arsen Torosyan. I am surprised that such a statement has been made. Let me remind you that we are very close nations, neighbors, and we have a common great history. It is surprising to hear such undiplomatic statements from him,' he said.

Regarding the statement that cases of coronavirus have been discovered among drivers coming from Georgia, he emphasized that Armenia should inform the WHO and Georgia about this, as both Armenia and Georgia are members of the organization and have signed under the WHO's international regulations. 'We have had confirmed cases among citizens of Armenia or other countries. In such cases, we need to inform the WHO and the respective country. We have acted this way with several neighboring countries so that they can take appropriate anti-epidemic measures. Thus, if there have been such cases, Mr. Arsen should have informed the WHO and us,' he noted.

As for Torosyan's remarks regarding testing, the head of Georgia's national center stated, 'No, Mr. Arsen. The 46 or 47 thousand tests that I do not precisely remember from today's data conducted in our country are all PCR tests. This count does not include several thousand rapid tests used in medical institutions.'