“When an ambassador makes such a statement, there are two possible responses—either summon him to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for clarification or take more radical measures,” Tengiz Sharmanashvili, a member of the Georgian Dream, told the Georgian Public Broadcaster.

According to Sharmanashvili, pursuing radical steps would not be effective.

“Did he speak about civil war, economic destruction, and poverty? This is what an ambassador representing the European Union in Georgia is doing when he makes such statements and, in fact, engages in anti-government messaging. This is incompatible with the role of an ambassador.

When such statements are made, there are two options—either summon him to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to explain his position, or take radical decisions. However, the second option makes no sense, because he would simply be replaced by a similar person, or perhaps even worse. Therefore, such a step is not worth taking,” Sharmanashvili said.

On April 23, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze declared that “the EU Ambassador is threatening the Georgian people with civil war and impoverishment, and that is a direct threat. It is therefore appropriate that the Ambassador be summoned to the Foreign Ministry.”

Foreign Minister Botchorishvili had similarly signalled on April 24: “The diplomatic service has its own channels through which to respond, and we shall make use of them. We will have the opportunity to receive Pawel Herczyński at the Foreign Ministry.”