Tusk, Scholz, and Macron issue joint statement on situation in Georgia

Earlier this week, several thousand Georgian demonstrators took to the streets to protest against what they say was fraud in last month's parliamentary election, in which the ruling Georgian Dream party, seen as increasingly pro-Russian, claimed victory.

Macron, Scholz and Tusk - who issued a joint statement as members of the so-called Weimar Triangle format - said they could not support the opening of Georgia's European Union accession talks unless the country made reforms.

"Unless Georgia reverses its current course of action and demonstrates tangible reform efforts, in particular by repealing recent legislation that runs counter to European values and principles, we will not be in a position to support the opening of accession negotiations with Georgia," they said.

The three leaders' statement was issued as nearly 50 European leaders gathered to meet in Budapest on Thursday and Friday to discuss support for Ukraine, migration, economic security and waning EU competitiveness.

Official results from the Oct. 26 election gave a 54% majority to Georgian Dream, whose opponents say it wants to steer the Caucasus nation away from Europe and back into Russia's orbit.

Georgian Dream, which is seen as loyal to billionaire founder Bidzina Ivanishvili, says it wants to protect the country from subversive foreign influence and from being dragged into war with Russia like Ukraine.

It says it remains committed to seeking a future in the European Union, but the EU says it has frozen Georgia's membership application because of concerns about democratic backsliding.

Two U.S. polling firms have said the official election results suggest manipulation because they diverged so sharply in favour of Georgian Dream from exit polls the companies conducted for pro-opposition television channels.

International observers reported instances of bribery and intimidation of voters but stopped short of saying the election was stolen. Georgian Dream says the election was free and fair, a position echoed by the country's electoral commission.