“We are an established, independent, and sovereign state. Therefore, when some ambassadors so openly and brazenly interfere in our internal affairs, incite violence, contribute to polarisation, and pose for photographs with activists known for radical and fascist approaches, it becomes imperative to take appropriate steps,” stated MP Levan Machavariani, a member of the Georgian Dream.

Machavariani emphasised that these measures would not be radical on the part of the ruling government.

“We maintain a policy of unilateral friendship with the countries that these ambassadors represent. Accordingly, we will continue to do so, because the ambassador is here today but may not be tomorrow; a particular European bureaucrat is present now, but may not be later. Nonetheless, relations between our peoples must endure.

Regarding Mr Fischer, I would like to start by saying that he is a tenant of Mamuka Khazaradze. Clear signs of political corruption are evident here. He appears with banners bearing the word ‘slave’, attends court proceedings to exert pressure on judges, supports the most radical and extremist demonstrators, and so on. In other words, he is directly fomenting polarisation within our country and presenting himself in a certain light. His actions and rhetoric suggest he could easily be mistaken for a member of an opposition party.

The summons was necessary, though I want to emphasise that no radical steps will be taken on our part. We view our friendships with other countries as long-term relationships, aware that these ambassadors and European bureaucrats are temporary. The situation in EU countries will eventually improve, and the ruling elite will change. Therefore, we do not wish to burn bridges with specific nations,” Machavariani concluded.