German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, on Monday marked Georgia’s Independence Day in a joint statement with French President, Emmanuel Macron, and Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk.
“On the occasion of the Independence Day of Georgia, we would like to send a message of friendship and solidarity to the Georgian people.
“We reiterate our unwavering support for the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Georgia.”
The three leaders “support the democratic and European aspirations of the Georgian people” which reflect the South Caucasian republic’s “willingness to be part of the European family.”
Georgia appears to be sliding towards authoritarianism, with the ruling Georgian Dream party declaring itself the winner of October’s parliamentary elections inspite allegations of vote-rigging.
Anti-government protests have rocked the country in the past year, directed against the administration’s pro-Russia course, its turn away from European Union accession efforts and its crackdown on non-governmental organisations.
In the joint statement, Merz, Macron and Tusk said they “condemn all activities of the Georgian authorities resulting in the democratic backsliding and the attacks against civil society, media and government critics.”
“Freedom of expression and of assembly must be upheld. Reports of excessive violence must be investigated.
“Also laws that contradict European standards must be amended and the much-needed reform process must be picked up again,” the statement reads.
“The Georgian authorities need to re-establish a dialogue with opposition and civil society,” it concluded.
“The people of Georgia should not be deprived of the opportunities associated with the country’s European path.”
Since taking office earlier this month, Merz has sought to re-establish the importance of relations between Berlin, Paris and Warsaw, in a format known as the Weimar Triangle. (dpa/NAN)
