16/10/24 (Agence Europe) – According to draft conclusions from the summit on 17 October, the European Council is warning that it expects the forthcoming parliamentary elections on 26 October to be “free and fair, in line with international standards and with unhindered access for international and domestic election observers”, and points out that the course of action taken by the Georgian government, in adopting laws that are in opposition to European values, “jeopardises” Georgia’s European path and “de facto halts the accession process“. The leaders therefore call on the country to “adopt democratic, comprehensive and sustainable reforms, in line with the core principles of European integration” and stress the need to protect free and pluralistic media. The European Council promises that it will continue to monitor the situation closely. See the draft conclusions: https://aeur.eu/f/dwo (CG)