English Section

Polish, French, German FMs decry Georgia's decision to halt EU accession talks

06.12.2024 22:00
The foreign ministers of Poland, France and Germany have expressed regret over the Georgian ruling party's decision to suspend EU accession talks until 2028, saying that the move contradicts the European aspirations of the Georgian people.
The Polish foreign ministry building in Warsaw.
The Polish foreign ministry building in Warsaw.Photo: PAP/Tomasz Gzell

In a joint statementPoland's Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski and his French and German counterparts warned that "the steps taken by the authorities expose Georgia to external and internal instability."

They underscored their "determination to support the democratic and European aspirations of the Georgian people."

'Disproportionate use of force against peaceful protesters'

The three top diplomats also condemned "the disproportionate use of force against peaceful protesters as well as the targeting of the opposition and media representatives."

"We deplore raids of offices of opposition parties and civil society organisations, arrests of members of political opposition and call for their immediate release," the Polish, French and German foreign ministers said in their statement.

"Fundamental rights, including freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, must be upheld and protected as per Georgia’s Constitution and international commitments," they added.

They urged the Georgian Dream party to "de-escalate tensions and open an inclusive dialogue with all political forces and representatives of civil society."

Poland, France and Germany work together as part of a trilateral cooperation platform known as the Weimar Triangle.

In October, the three foreign ministers voiced concern over the rise in aggressive anti-EU rhetoric in Georgia, warning that the EU would not tolerate the spread of "false narratives" about European positions and policies by the Georgian authorities.

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP, gov.pl