French Foreign Ministry urged Tbilisi to respect citizens' right to peaceful protest

The French Foreign Ministry expressed readiness to continue supporting the "European aspirations" of Georgian citizens and called on the authorities to respect the right to peaceful protests. This was reported by the press service of the French Foreign Ministry on November 29.

In a statement, the interstate agency said that France is monitoring the situation in Georgia.

"We are concerned about reports of repression against demonstrators and journalists and call for respect for the right to peaceful demonstrations. Together with its European partners, France will continue to maintain close ties with the Georgian people and support their European aspirations, which must not be betrayed," the ministry said.

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The decision of the country's authorities to put the issue of European integration on pause has intensified opposition protests

Earlier in the day, a crowd of protesters again gathered outside the Georgian parliament building in the center of Tbilisi on Freedom Square.

Also on November 29, Izvestia reported about the intensification of security measures on Rustaveli Avenue against the backdrop of the past anti-government rally. According to the journalist, the avenue was relatively calm, although some tension was felt after yesterday's dispersal of the radical opposition. At the same time, there were several dozen protesters near the parliament building, who probably stayed there overnight.

At the same time, it was reported that protests continued in Tbilisi over the suspension of negotiations on European integration. The protesters oppose the decision to postpone negotiations with the EU. The Georgian Interior Ministry reported that 32 police officers required medical assistance after the dispersal of unrest near the Parliament building.

Prior to that, on November 28, the ruling Georgian Dream party decided to suspend discussions with the EU on opening accession talks with the union until 2028. As Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze specified, Georgia will continue to fulfill its obligations under the associated membership and free trade agreement and will fulfill them by 90% by 2028.