Pawel Herczynski, the EU Ambassador to Georgia, who attended a photography exhibition titled 'Georgia in Focus' in Brussels, stated that Georgia is not 'on the right trajectory'. He expressed hope that the country would return to its European path.

"Georgia stands at a crossroads. Its future has not yet been written, but the decisions taken in the coming weeks and months will determine whether it will become part of the European family of democratic countries based on the rule of law and human rights, or unfortunately return to its dark past," he said.

He added that, despite new laws prohibiting media outlets from receiving funding from partner countries, the EU will do "everything possible within the existing legal framework to continue supporting the wonderful, amazing, warm and hospitable people of Georgia".

'My main message to the Georgian people is: don't lose hope.' 'We cannot allow Georgia and its wonderful, warm and hospitable people to return to the dark times of violence, civil war, poverty, destitution and corruption. This is not the future they deserve. The European Union stands ready to support Georgia. As soon as the authorities express their willingness to cooperate with us, we will do everything we can to help Georgia become an EU member,' said Pawel Herczynski.

Kakha Kaladze, General Secretary of the ruling Georgian Dream party and Mayor of Tbilisi, stated that Georgia has not deviated from the European path and criticized the EU ambassador for his statement.

'The first thing that must happen is to summon the ambassador and ask specific questions. If someone wants to lecture us, impose their will and dictate how the Georgian people and state should live, that won't work. We need friends, not masters; not people who wag their fingers at us. Let them threaten those they can threaten and where they can," Kaladze said.

The Chairman of the Georgian Dream party and Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, stated that the ambassador is "threatening the Georgian people with civil war and impoverishment. This is his direct threat, and of course it would be appropriate to summon him to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.'