Germany, France and Poland protest Georgia's turn against EU

Foreign ministers from Germany, France and Poland on Tuesday jointly called on the Georgian government to reverse course and resume efforts towards integration into the European Union.

"We have repeatedly called upon the Georgian authorities to reverse their course and to return to the EU integration by upholding European norms and values and implementing reforms," the ministers said in a statement.

The three countries regularly meet under the format of the Weimar Triangle.

"We strongly condemn last weeks’ violence against peaceful protesters, media and opposition leaders and recall Georgian authorities’ responsibility to respect human rights and protect fundamental freedoms, including the freedom to assembly and media freedom," the foreign minister further said.

Georgia has been beset by a political crisis since disputed elections in October, in which the ruling Georgian Dream party - which is seen as favourable to Moscow - claimed victory.

"The political course of repression and democratic backsliding by the Georgian Dream has in reaction led to a downgrading of our relationship at European and national level and a reduction of our assistance to and cooperation with Georgia’s authorities," the foreign ministers added.

In response to the latest arrests in Georgia, Germany has introduced entry restrictions on nine people accused of violence against protesters and opposition leaders.

"The right to protest peacefully is one of the universal human rights - protecting it is our responsibility," the German Foreign Office said on X.