According to AFP, this concern was expressed by French President Emmanuel Macron in a Facebook message, which was also signed by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

"Our two countries have been ardent defenders of Georgia's European path," which has been a candidate for membership in the European Union since December, and "it is with deep regret that we note the decision of the Georgian government and the ruling party to move away from this path," the French President and the German Chancellor also said.

Meanwhile, the ruling party in Georgia - "Georgian Dream" - is ready to amend the controversial law on foreign agents, which caused mass protests in this Caucasus country, if Western objections are "fair," as reported by EFE.

This flexible position on the law in question, which prompted protests due to its similarity to Russia's repressive rules, was conveyed to EFE by Nikoloz Samkharadze, chairman of the parliamentary committee on foreign relations.

"For now, Georgia only hears political statements, but it expects and is ready to hear fair legal objections and to amend the law if there are specific points that contradict European standards," he said.

Samkharadze says that those who criticize the law are superficial, because they are unaware of the situation in the South Caucasus and "all the dangers arising from the Russian occupation," referring to the Kremlin's recognition of the independence of the separatist regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

"If we see a constructive attitude, if we hear fair objections from Western institutions (European Commission and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe), we will take them into account and introduce them into the law," he noted.

The pro-government deputy recalled that next week Georgia will receive the results of the analysis of the law carried out by the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe.

The director of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), Matteo Mecacci, will travel to Tbilisi in the coming days. "Tell us exactly what is in contradiction with European standards and we will change it," Samkharadze said.

The Georgian deputy claims that "the European Commission has approved similar directives on the transparency of foreign interests" and that "much stricter laws are in force in many Western countries."

The parliamentarian said he was convinced that, over time, the current tension will disappear and Georgia will be able to face the parliamentary elections in October "peacefully."

In response to criticism about an alleged change in the country's foreign policy, Samkharadze recalled that it was the ruling party that introduced into the Constitution "the intention to join the European Union (EU) and NATO."

"Georgia has proven on many occasions that it is a reliable NATO partner," he said, stressing that Georgia was the largest non-allied contributor to NATO's operation in Afghanistan, where more than 30 Georgian soldiers were killed.

Meanwhile, he emphasizes, "Russia is profiting" from everything that is happening around Georgia, since Moscow, which supports the law and accuses the West of interference, does not look favourably on the growing influence of the United States and the EU in its "backyard."

"Russia benefits from the negative wave that is now sweeping Georgia. And, in addition, it is adding fuel to the fire. If someone does not see this, it is a serious problem," he concluded.

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