The President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, addressed the Georgian people.
Macron notes in his statement that France stands in support of the European and democratic aspirations of the Georgian people.
In addition, Macron claims that Georgia cannot hope to advance on the European path if peaceful demonstrations are suppressed with disproportionate use of force, if civil society organizations, journalists, members of opposition parties are harassed, if freedom of expression and assembly is not protected.
“Dear Georgian friends, on the eve of the first anniversary of the granting of candidate status to Georgia, I considered it important to convey this message through this short video. First of all, I want to tell you that the European aspirations of the Georgian people written in the Constitution of Georgia cannot be betrayed. Georgia’s European dream should not be extinguished.
“This choice of the European path is your sovereign decision, this choice of joining the European family is what is peacefully expressed today in Tbilisi and several dozen cities of the country.
“By granting Georgia candidate status, the European Council gave a positive response to this aspiration. This choice implies the fulfillment of certain duties and obligations over time.
“The way is set, Georgia can now work hand in hand with the 27 member states of the European Union, confidently to build this European future, or wait and suffer, but what to wait for and why?
“I come back to what this European choice is all about. The EU does not oblige. Europe offers, by paving the way for an equal partnership, for prosperity and shared values. Europe does not intimidate, does not use threats.
“Europe does not seek to sow chaos, Europe does not seek to destabilize or subjugate its neighbors through war or hybrid means. It does not seek to sow division or confusion among its citizens.
“The European Union respects the sovereign will of the people, the history and identity of the nations, such as the millennial history of the Georgian people. The EU does not dictate what the national interest is. It respects the territorial integrity of Georgia, in particular. The EU does not support separatists in your country.
“The European Union is a project of peace that has been the basis of Europe’s construction since its inception. The European Union has not started an aggressive war against a sovereign state either. Yes, Europe is solidarity, the choice of peace, the collective protection of common strategic interests for one family.
“Europe is not about blackmail, it is about accepting rules as a way to resolve differences. It is up to Georgia to decide its fate. For that, the voice of Georgians should be listened to and respected.
“Finally, I want to tell you once again that we stand by you in support of your European and democratic aspirations. Georgia cannot hope to advance on the European path if peaceful demonstrations are suppressed with disproportionate use of force, if civil society organizations, journalists, members of opposition parties are harassed, if freedom of expression and assembly are not protected. I want to believe that there is a way, in accordance with the country’s European aspirations, a way of open, polite dialogue with all political forces and civil society organizations.
“This dialogue is the responsibility of all Georgians. He should give the opportunity to Georgians to take their destiny in their hands again. This path is yours. That’s why I have great confidence in the Georgian people and I have great confidence in everyone who values this respectable European path and does not want to give in to intimidation, propaganda, cyber attacks, information manipulation.
“Long live the friendship between Georgia and France, and long live Europe!” – Macron’s statement reads.
