President. – Dear colleagues, we are joined today by the President of Georgia, Salomé Zourabichvili. President, welcome back to the European Parliament.

When you last visited this House, we discussed your country's progress towards joining our European family. Today, this journey is under threat. The European Parliament condemns any repression of the opposition and the imprisonment of peaceful protesters. These actions roll back the successful steps we have taken together in recent years. In response to this situation, this House has called for decisive action and we reiterate that now.

I know that there are many in Georgia who fear for their country's future. And I also know that I speak for this entire House when I say to all those Georgians who look to Europe for support and for their future that they are not alone. We see you, we hear you. We are with you.

So this House stands strong with the people of Georgia and your journey towards Europe. And our door will always remain open.

So I give the floor to you, dear President Salomé Zourabichvili.

(Applause)