Germany: “Georgians choose the path to Europe”
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier announced, on Friday, his support for Georgia in its endeavor to strengthen its relations with Europe, according to his spokeswoman, after he had a telephone conversation with his Georgian counterpart, Salome Zorabichvili.
“I am grateful for your strong and clear voice for freedom and democracy. Georgians choose the path to Europe,” spokeswoman Sersten Gamelin said on Twitter.
“Germany supports Georgia on the European track. This track includes freedom of the press and civil society,” the spokeswoman quoted the president as saying.
“Georgia appreciates the support expressed today by my German colleague for Georgia’s European integration path and the dedication of the Georgian people,” Zurabitchvili wrote on Twitter.
Zurabishvili has been vocal in her support for closer ties with the West and in her criticism of the government in Tbilisi, but her powers are limited.
Critics said the proposed law was similar to legislation used in Russia to suppress dissent.
On Friday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov compared the demonstrations against the proposed bill in the former Soviet republic to an attempted coup.
