Macron, Scholz and Tusk - who issued a joint statement as members of the so-called Weimar Triangle format - said they could not support the opening of Georgia's European Union accession talks unless the country made reforms.

 

"Unless Georgia reverses its current course of action and demonstrates tangible reform efforts, in particular by repealing recent legislation that runs counter to European values and principles, we will not be in a position to support the opening of accession negotiations with Georgia," they said. 

 

"We reiterate our concern about the conduct of the parliamentary elections in Georgia as laid down in the preliminary conclusions issued by the international election observation mission. In particular, the reported numerous irregularities and intimidation on voters, which affected negatively public trust in the process, are of great concern. We call for swift and transparent investigations of all complaints and reports of election-related irregularities and will carefully examine the final report of the international observation mission, which we expect in due time. We support the democratic and European aspirations of the Georgian people. The freedoms of peaceful assembly and expression are fundamental rights in a democratic society and must be upheld and protected. We call for an inclusive dialogue with all political forces and civil society organizations in order to undertake this task. Before the parliamentary elections held on the 26th of October, the European Council underlined that Georgia was drifting away from its European path and insisted on the need to organize free and fair elections. Unless Georgia reverses its current course of action and demonstrates tangible reform efforts, in particular by repealing recent legislation that runs counter to European values and principles, we will not be in a position to support the opening of accession negotiations with Georgia" - reads the statement.