French President Emmanuel Macron, who met with Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili on October 3, expressed hope that the parliamentary elections on October 26 will enable the country to return to the European path.
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"Dear Salome, I am pleased to host you in Paris. France welcomes the European and democratic aspirations of the Georgian people. I hope that the October 26 elections will allow Georgia to return to the European path," said the statement issued by Macron after the meeting.
The Élysée Palace also published information about the presidents' meeting. As per the statement, Emmanuel Macron welcomed the European and democratic aspirations of the Georgian people. He also noted the negative events that have occurred in Georgia in recent months and focused on the upcoming elections.
"He regretted the adoption of laws that diverted the country from the European trajectory and caused, as confirmed by the European Council last June, the de facto suspension of the accession process.
The President emphasized that France, together with its European partners, will closely monitor the conditions under which the election campaign and the legislative referendum on October 26, 2024, will be held.
He expressed hope that these elections will be conducted in accordance with international standards and will enable Georgia to return to the European path.
The President reaffirmed France's unwavering support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders," the Élysée Palace statement said.
Before her meeting with Macron, Salome Zourabichvili was in Poland, where she participated in the Warsaw Security Forum and met with President Andrzej Duda. The President of Georgia also held meetings with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President Charles Michel.
The Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, stated that Salome Zourabichvili is abroad without the government's consent, thereby violating the country's constitution. He added that those European political leaders who meet with her show "gross disrespect" for the constitutional order of Georgia.