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French President Emmanuel Macron has encouraged Georgian authorities to “do everything in their power” to ensure the October 2 local polls comply with democratic values and standards of the European Union.

In a September 29 press release following his meeting with Georgian counterpart Salome Zurabishvili, President Macron said France will be “will be particularly vigilant against any attempt to destabilize the democratic institutions of independent Georgia, which runs counter to the aspirations of the Georgian people and is contrary to the interests of the European Union.”

President Macron pledged France’s support to fundamental rights in Georgia, in particular freedom of the press, and the strengthening of democratic and judicial institutions as per the highest European standards.