“The Georgian government’s drift is leading to an interruption of the accession process,” said the President of France, Emmanuel Macron.
According to the French President, the Georgian people will decide their future in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
„We expressed our concerns about the situation in Georgia, where the government’s drift is leading to a de facto halt in the accession process and where the Georgian people will have to express themselves in a few days,“ Macron said.
On October 17, the European Council issued the conclusions of its meeting, reiterating its “serious concern regarding the course of action taken by the Georgian government, which runs counter to the values and principles upon which the European Union is founded” and reaffirming its support towards Georgian people’s EU aspirations.
The European Council noted that “such a course of action jeopardises Georgia’s European path, and de facto halts the accession process,” and called on Georgia “to adopt democratic, comprehensive and sustainable reforms, in line with the core principles of European integration.” The Council stressed that it would continue monitoring the situation in Georgia closely.
“The European Council expects the upcoming parliamentary elections to be free and fair, in line with international standards and with unhindered access for international and domestic election observers. The European Council stresses the need to protect a free, independent and pluralistic media,” emphasized the Council in its meeting conclusions.
In addition, the Council also reaffirmed EU’s “unwavering support for Georgia’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders,” and underlined the European Union’s “continued commitment to peaceful conflict resolution and its policy of non-recognition and engagement.”
